An investigation report released by the health ombud on Monday reveals that Johannesburg’s Helen Joseph Hospital is severely under-resourced and poorly managed, making it unfit for purpose. DA politician Jack Bloom and health activists have long expressed concerns about the hospital. However, it only gained significant attention in September when former radio talk show host Thomas Holmes, also known as…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Cosatu’s stand against NHI amendments: A political showdown
The battle over South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Act has escalated, with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) refusing to support any amendments. As President Cyril Ramaphosa weighs potential revisions in talks with the Democratic Alliance (DA), Cosatu warns that altering the legislation could destabilise the ruling tripartite alliance. The NHI Act, which aims to provide universal…
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Unpaid bills threaten medical tests as NHLS struggles
The parliamentary health committee recently learned that provincial health departments, except for the Western Cape, owe the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) R8.9 billion in unpaid debts. CEO Dr. Koleka Mlisana deems this growing debt “unsustainable,” especially given expected budget cuts that will impact funding for essential laboratory services. The NHLS conducts vital medical tests for state hospitals and clinics…
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First NHI draft regulations released by Health Minister
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has taken a significant step towards implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act by publishing the first draft regulations. These regulations focus on Section 55 of the Act, detailing the governance structure and processes of the NHI Fund, a cornerstone of the ANC’s ambitious plan for universal health coverage. While the Act has yet to be…
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Q&A with Mark Heywood on funding cuts to HIV/Aids programmes
Have we been caught napping? Yes. There have been many months of questions about the reauthorisation of Pepfar [the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief]. We could have done more to consider this possibility and prepare for it. How dependent are we on this funding? In terms of money, it’s 17% of our expenditure on HIV programmes, but in…
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Discovery launches AI-Powered Personal Health Pathways
Discovery has unveiled its innovative Personal Health Pathways (PHP) programme, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalised health actions for its 2.1 million adult members. This initiative aims to address the escalating challenge of medical inflation while promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing healthcare costs. PHP utilises behavioural data, real-time health and spending information, and predictive analytics to tailor health recommendations…
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Unplaced doctors and overwork plague the health system
Within the walls of South Africa’s public hospitals, an unseen struggle unfolds daily. This reveals a healthcare system burdened by persistent challenges and standing at a critical juncture. A collaborative, systemic approach is essential to ensure its survival for millions of South Africans. Central to this crisis is the stark inequality in access to healthcare. While newly qualified doctors graduate…
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Health Minister addresses funding gap after USAID cuts
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has acknowledged that the South African government cannot entirely compensate for the funding gap left by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) following the termination of USAID-funded health programmes by President Donald Trump’s administration. The sudden funding halt has impacted the supply of life-saving drugs for HIV, malaria, and TB, as well as…
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“Close the Gap” HIV campaign targets 1.1m more on treatment
The South African government launched the “Close the Gap” campaign in February, aiming to set an ambitious target of placing an additional 1.1 million people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the end of 2025. With approximately 7.8 million individuals in the country living with HIV and 5.9 million currently receiving treatment, this initiative seeks to increase the…
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Discrepancy in HIV reporting impacts public health programmes
A recent study by the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) has revealed a significant gap in the official reporting of HIV-related deaths, which could weaken the effectiveness of the country’s public health programs. The findings indicate a worrying disparity between official statistics and actual mortality data, raising resource distribution and disease management issues. Analysing over 15,000 deaths from September…
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Gauteng health department criticised over unpaid gas bills
The Gauteng health department is again facing severe criticism. Its ongoing financial troubles have disrupted essential gas supplies at two major hospitals. Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital experienced gas supply interruptions from Egoli Gas due to unpaid bills, jeopardising patient care. The crisis stems from the department’s failure to settle a R15 million…