Discovery Group has reported a robust financial performance for the year ending in June. It showcased the Discovery Group’s strong growth with a 30% increase in headline earnings to R9.6 billion. A key milestone in the results was Discovery Bank achieving its first profitable period in the second half of the year. This was a significant achievement reached ahead of…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Shortage of Medical Specialists in KZN Creating Waiting Lists
An alarming shortage of medical specialists across KwaZulu-Natal’s major government hospitals is creating a public health crisis. Tens of thousands of patients face dangerously long waiting times for critical care. The situation poses a “serious risk” to the public, according to Dr Imran Keeka, the DA’s spokesperson on health in the KZN legislature. Recent replies from Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane…
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Cheaper Weight-Loss Drugs for Global Health Needs
\n\nThe decision directly affects the popular GLP-1 agonist drugs, including the active ingredients in brands like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. \n\n\n\nThe WHO’s recommendation aims to pressure pharmaceutical giants to lower prices and encourage the production of affordable generic versions. This is particularly important for people in developing countries, where they are needed most.\n\n\n\nThis move underscores the severity of the global…
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‘Certificate of Need’ Faces Constitutional Court Battle
The future of where doctors can practise and where hospitals can be built in South Africa hangs in the balance. The Constitutional Court is considering the validity of the controversial “Certificate of Need” (CoN) provisions within the National Health Act. The top court heard arguments on Tuesday regarding a law that could force medical professionals to work in underserved rural…
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Africa’s Cholera Crisis Deepens as 2025 Death Toll Rises
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued a stark warning. They declare cholera the continent’s leading public health threat as case numbers and fatalities continue to soar in 2025. Africa’s Cholera Crisis is becoming increasingly severe. The specialised healthcare agency of the African Union revealed in a recent briefing a concerning detail. The death toll…
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Mpox Global Emergency Downgraded by World Health Officials
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that mpox is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert. The decision comes after a significant and sustained fall in infection rates in key African nations. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed the downgrade. The organisation’s Emergency Committee recommended it. The World Health Organisation (WHO)…
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Good NHI Governance is Crucial to Restoring Trust
If the government is serious about rebuilding public trust in the health sector, it must begin with a critical overhaul of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act’s governance framework. Good NHI governance is imperative for healthcare reform. This call for accountability echoes the loudest demand from the nation’s first national convention in August: a demand for better governance. The convention,…
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Children’s Lives at Risk as US Proposes Slashing Funds for Gavi
In a move putting children’s lives at risk, the US government has announced its intention to cut funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It is a key organisation credited with saving millions of lives through childhood immunisation. The decision comes at a critical time, as rising vaccine hesitancy contributes to a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles worldwide. The proposed…
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Compulsory Medical Aid for MPs: ActionSA’s Proposal
In a bold move to ensure public representatives experience the same healthcare realities as the citizens they serve, ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape has announced plans to introduce the Parliamentary and Provincial Medical Aid Scheme Amendment Bill. This proposed legislation aims to abolish compulsory membership of the Parliamentary Medical Aid Scheme (Parmed) for Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Provincial Legislatures,…
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Florida’s ‘Vaccine War’ Sparks Outrage and Debate
Florida is becoming the new epicentre of America’s “vaccine wars.” This follows Governor Ron DeSantis’s announcement to eliminate all vaccine mandates for schoolchildren. The plan has ignited immediate and fierce opposition from political rivals and the medical community. The move, if successful, would make Florida the largest US state to dismantle long-standing public health requirements for immunisations. The controversial proposal…
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Gilead’s Lenacapavir to Reach High-Burden Nations ‘At Cost’
The US government and Gilead Sciences have announced a landmark plan to supply the long-acting HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, at cost to high-burden countries. This initiative aims to protect 2 million people via PEPFAR and The Global Fund. In a major step forward for global public health, the United States State Department announced a groundbreaking plan on Thursday. The aim…
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HIV Prevention Injection Changes the Game in Treatment
South Africa will introduce a new lenacapavir injection. This twice-yearly shot is for HIV prevention. It will be in select public clinics by April 2026. This marks a big step forward for the nation. It offers a great alternative to daily pills. However, another injectable, cabotegravir, is stalled. It had a four-year head start. The availability of a new HIV…