Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which rode a wave of unprecedented success with its weight-loss drug Wegovy, has announced a global hiring freeze for non-critical roles. This signals a dramatic shift from rapid expansion to rigorous cost-cutting. Sales begin to slow and competition intensifies. Novo Nordisk’s hiring freeze is a significant turn for the company. The Wegovy Hiring Spree The…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Court Orders Cancer Treatment to End Backlog
The Gauteng High Court has ordered the provincial Department of Health to immediately tackle the severe oncology backlog, ruling that their appeal cannot delay life-saving treatment for cancer patients. The Gauteng High Court delivered a crucial judgment yesterday, ordering the provincial department of health (GDoH) to enforce a plan to clear its cancer treatment backlog immediately. The court ruled that…
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Unregulated Glucose Monitors Pose Risk to Diabetics
While continuous glucose monitors are increasingly popular as wellness gadgets for tracking lifestyle and diet, their lack of formal regulatory oversight means many devices may not be safe or reliable for medical use. The rise of unregulated glucose monitors makes the matter more complicated. Medical specialists and patient advocates are raising urgent concerns over the booming and unregulated market for…
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Zimbabwe Health Bill Aims for Universal Coverage
In a significant move towards universal healthcare, Zimbabwe’s Parliament is considering a new bill aimed at providing medical services for all citizens. It also seeks to regulate the entire health sector, including private hospitals. Questions remain over how the government will finance the ambitious system proposed in the Medical Services Amendment Bill. Following a path similar to South Africa’s National…
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Finger-Prick Technology Can Alleviate Needle Phobia
For the millions who experience anxiety at the sight of a needle, a routine blood test can be a significant ordeal. Now, with the advent of finger-prick technology, a groundbreaking innovation requiring only a few drops of blood from a fingertip could revolutionise the experience. This encourages more people to engage with vital preventative healthcare. A Common Fear with Serious…
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Malaria Exposure Linked to Reduced COVID-19 Risks
When the COVID-19 pandemic began its global spread in 2020, experts feared the worst for Africa. Its healthcare systems were already battling endemic diseases, including malaria exposure. However, a surprising trend emerged. Many African nations reported lower rates of severe COVID-19 than countries in Europe and North America. New research from the Malaria Consortium, led by Dr Jane Achan, provides…
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TAC Seeks to Join Legal Fray Over NHI Act
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), a patient advocacy organisation, seeks to join the legal battle over the future of South African healthcare. The TAC seeks to join the South African Medical Association’s (SAMA) court challenge against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. It states it must represent the perspective of millions who depend on the public health system. The move…
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Billions Lost to Fraud and Waste Cripple SA’s Private Healthcare
South Africa’s private healthcare sector is haemorrhaging up to R28 billion a year due to rampant fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). This directly threatens the quality of care and financial stability of medical cover for millions of citizens. The stark warning comes from the Health Funders Association (HFA), which estimates the losses represent a staggering 15% to 20% of all…
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Regulatory Delays Threaten Africa’s Pharmaceutical Ambition
Critical delays in aligning Africa’s pharmaceutical regulations with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards are jeopardising the continent’s R1.25-trillion ($70bn) goal. They aim to become a self-sufficient pharmaceuticals manufacturing hub, according to a top industry executive. Stavros Nicolaou, a senior executive at Aspen Pharmacare and chair of Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa (Pharmisa), warned that this regulatory bottleneck is preventing African…
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Bid to Pause NHI Legal Challenges Met with Fierce Opposition
South Africa’s Health Ministry has tabled what it calls a “pragmatic solution” to the barrage of legal challenges facing the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. Opponents have slammed the move as a deliberate attempt to stall litigation while pushing ahead with implementation. The government is currently facing a complex web of 17 different legal applications across the High Court…
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NUMSA Agreement Secures Pharmaceutical Worker Pay Increases
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has successfully negotiated a two-year wage agreement with employers in the nation’s burgeoning pharmaceutical sector. This negotiation secures significant pay increases and improved benefits for approximately 10,000 workers. The NUMSA agreement averts potential industrial action. It brings stability to a market projected to generate revenues of $3.47 billion in 2025. Details…
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Emergency Funds Provide Lifeline for Medical Research
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced a significant financial intervention from the National Treasury. They are releasing an initial R753 million in emergency funds. This aims to mitigate the severe impact of recent US funding cuts on South Africa’s health system. These emergency funds are the first part of a potential multi-phase government response. Its success hinges on effective…