The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) has placed its principal officer, Stan Moloabi, on precautionary suspension while it completes an internal administrative process. GEMS confirmed the decision on Tuesday but did not disclose the nature of the process. Moloabi also confirmed his suspension. The scheme has appointed its chief operating officer, Dr Vuyo Gqola, as acting principal officer. Meanwhile, the…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Gauteng healthcare bribery warning
Gauteng healthcare bribery allegations involving queue jumping and access to services have prompted the provincial health department to warn patients and officials about corruption at public health facilities. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said that it had received complaints about patients allegedly paying officials to secure preferential treatment. The allegations relate to booking appointments, accessing patient files and collecting…
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GLP-1 Generics Could Reshape Local Obesity Market
A new wave of generic GLP-1 medicines could transform South Africa’s fast-growing obesity treatment market. Sun Pharma recently launched the country’s first generic semaglutide injection for type 2 diabetes through its Ranbaxy subsidiary. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is considering another 13 semaglutide applications. The opportunity is substantial. Morgan Stanley expects the global GLP-1 market to reach…
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Research Funding Needs Stronger Domestic Support
The US National Institutes of Health’s decision to reopen funding opportunities to South African researchers offers welcome relief. However, it also exposes the risks of relying too heavily on foreign support for essential scientific work. When Donald Trump returned to the White House in early 2025, South Africa was the largest foreign recipient of NIH awards. These grants were awarded…
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Cancer Sugar Shield Helps Tumours Evade Immunity
South African-led research has revealed new molecular details about how cancer changes the MUC1 protein to evade the immune system. The findings could support the development of new cancer vaccines, biomarkers and precision therapies. MUC1 is found on epithelial cells lining organs including the breast, colon and lungs. In healthy tissue, it carries long, complex sugar chains that help protect…
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Parmed Medical Aid Reform Bill Moves Through Parliament
The National Assembly is considering legislation that could end compulsory membership of the Parmed Medical Aid Scheme for MPs, judges and other public office-bearers. ActionSA MP Dr Kgosi Letlape introduced the private member’s bill. It proposes amending the Parliamentary and Provincial Medical Aid Scheme Act of 1975. Under the amendment, eligible officials would be allowed to remain with Parmed, move…
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Gap Cover Gains Importance as Costs Rise
Medical aid remains central to accessing private healthcare in South Africa, but members can no longer assume it will cover the full cost of treatment. In 2026, increases in medical scheme contributions have continued to put household budgets under pressure. Healthcare cost inflation is also running well above consumer inflation, while many scheme options have introduced more co-payments, sub-limits and…
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Crisis Deepens
South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing crisis is growing as local producers lose government contracts and contend with rising costs. Stavros Nicolaou, chair of Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa, says the Department of Health’s procurement policy is undermining the government’s localisation ambitions. He notes that officials award contracts to companies labelled as local suppliers. However, some companies import finished medicines rather than…
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Pharmaceutical Localisation Talks Target Investment And Supply
Senior government officials and top leaders of the pharmaceutical industry have agreed to pursue closer cooperation. South Africa seeks to boost local medicine production and enhance supply security. On 18 August, the two parties met in Pretoria to talk about the immediate pressures facing the sector. They discussed the longer-term measures needed to support pharmaceutical manufacturing. Professor Nicholas Crisp, who…
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NIH Funding Restored For SA Health Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States has lifted its ban on funding research projects in South Africa. As a result, local scientists can apply for NIH grants again. The change provides essential financial assistance to the health research sector in South Africa. This is important because local researchers have, in the past, been among the largest…
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Helen Joseph Hospital Staffing Crisis Disrupts Emergency Care
The staffing crisis at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg has renewed fears over patient safety while spotlighting how Gauteng manages its public healthcare workers. Trauma unit head Dr Patricia Saffy issued a notice on 6 August 2026 advising certain patients to seek emergency care elsewhere. She acted on concerns over unpaid medical staff after doctors stopped reporting for duty. Reports…
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Moderna Merck Melanoma Vaccine Shows Late-Stage Success
Moderna and Merck have announced that late-stage trials of a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine for the treatment of melanoma have yielded positive results. The companies stated that the treatment reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or spread when used in conjunction with Merck’s immunotherapy drug Keytruda. Notably, Keytruda is already widely used to treat melanoma and several other cancers. This…