The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) announced that it would require President Cyril Ramaphosa to disclose his records to determine whether he adhered to all legal requirements before signing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law. This announcement comes amid escalating opposition to the contentious legislation. The NHI Act, which aims to establish universal health coverage for all South…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Sudden USAID withdrawal threatens SA HIV vaccine project
The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) has urgently appealed to African governments, philanthropists, and the private sector to address a significant funding shortage. This request follows the sudden withdrawal of US government funding for a key HIV vaccine initiative, which has jeopardised years of research advancement. Last week, the Trump administration’s choice to terminate US Agency for International Development…
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HIV programmes: The impact of funding US cuts
South Africa is on the brink of a severe health crisis, possibly more harmful than the COVID-19 pandemic, due to significant cuts in US funding for HIV programmes. The almost complete withdrawal of Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) funding threatens to reverse years of progress in managing the HIV epidemic, potentially causing a spike in infections and a…
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Discovery reports a 34% increase in first-half earnings
Discovery has revealed a robust 34% increase in its first-half headline earnings, showcasing its strong growth trajectory. This surge is primarily attributed to the exceptional performance of its South African health insurance division and the globally recognised Vitality programme. Key Financial Highlights: Headline Earnings: Increased by 34% to R4.35 billion (£234 million) for the six months ending December, rising from…
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Global fund affirms commitment to lenacapavir rollout
The Global Fund for HIV, TB, and Malaria has reaffirmed its commitment to rolling out the twice-yearly HIV prevention jab, lenacapavir, in lower-income countries, including South Africa. This initiative will continue with or without the support of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), which recently encountered funding disruptions during President Donald Trump’s term. According to Global Fund…
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Impact of Food Insecurity on Obesity Rates in South Africa
South Africa has the highest obesity rate in Africa, with half of all adults classified as overweight or obese—68% of women and 38% of men. Shockingly, nearly 70% of obese adults live in food-insecure households, relying on cheap, energy-dense, yet nutrient-poor foods. As the world marked World Obesity Day this week, the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) warned…
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UC loses patent battle over prostate cancer drug in SA
The University of California (UC) has encountered a significant legal setback in South Africa after the Johannesburg High Court revoked its patent for Xtandi. This prostate cancer drug extends life. This ruling paves the way for generic versions of the medication to be sold in the country, potentially lowering patient costs. Xtandi, developed at UC with funding from the National…
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Competition Commission probes insulin price fixing
The Competition Commission in South Africa has launched a formal investigation into leading insulin manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis following serious allegations of anti-competitive conduct. The inquiry was initiated after health activists complained about Novo Nordisk’s decision to cease supplying human insulin pens to the country’s Health Department in 2024. This move has forced thousands of diabetic patients to…
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Trump’s USAID cuts threaten SA’s HIV/AIDS progress
In a devastating move for South Africa’s healthcare sector, former US President Donald Trump rescinded all USAID grants supporting HIV/AIDS programs in the country. The decision, announced on Thursday, has put thousands of healthcare jobs at risk and threatens the progress made in battling the epidemic. Health activists warn that the cuts could reverse years of hard-won gains, leaving vulnerable…
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Lenacapavir injection: The new frontier in HIV prevention
At the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) in Peru, groundbreaking data on the lenacapavir injection revealed its remarkable efficacy in HIV prevention. With a single injection every six months, the drug completely halted new HIV infections among women and girls. It achieved a 96% risk reduction for other gender-diverse individuals aged 16 and up. Despite lenacapavir’s transformative potential,…
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A decade of transformation in obesity treatment
For long-time attendees of ObesityWeek, the 2024 conference in San Antonio felt markedly different. In the past, it was an intimate gathering of obesity specialists focused on research and clinical updates. However, as one physician noted, “There’s a lot more suits.” Wall Street has joined the event, drawn by the explosion of interest in the lucrative obesity treatment market. Since…
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Experts warn against using PIC funds for NHI and hospitals
In a recent development, South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi suggested using PIC funds to finance the construction of public hospitals and support the NHI initiative. However, financial experts argue that the PIC, which manages over R2.7 trillion in assets for the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), should only fund revenue-generating government health projects that align with its mandate.…