More than half of South African households affected by tuberculosis face catastrophic costs, according to new research commissioned by the Department of Health. The findings show that 56.2% of affected households spent more than 20% of their annual pre-TB income on expenses linked to the disease. These costs include medical consultations, transport, special foods and vitamins. Patients and caregivers also…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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SA pioneers in-home TB testing for faster diagnosis
One of the biggest challenges in combating tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa is the late or missed diagnosis of many patients. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 280,000 people in South Africa fell ill with TB. Roughly 66,000 of them were not diagnosed or treated, leading to further spread of the infectious disease. Traditionally, TB diagnosis relies…
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State-of-the-art-84-bed hospital to open in Malmesbury
Malmesbury in the Western Cape will soon have an 84-bed hospital featuring four advanced operating theatres, emergency and trauma care, and neonatal and paediatric intensive care units. The Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital, part of the Crestcare Hospital Group and a portfolio company of the Summit Private Equity Fund is set to open on August 1. Located near the N7 and Voortrekker…
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Eastern Cape’s healthcare system grappling with budget crisis
The Eastern Cape health department is grappling with a severe budget crisis, with only R1.8 billion of its R28 billion budget for 2023 left for service delivery after accounting for salaries, wage increases, and cost overruns from the previous year. This was revealed by former health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) appropriations committee, as reported…
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Unspent Cancer Funds: A Growing Healthcare Crisis
The Gauteng Department of Health faces a major legal challenge. This comes after it failed to use R784 million. These funds were for cancer treatment backlogs. The Cancer Alliance and SECTION27 have filed a High Court application. They want to force the department to act. Patients are suffering while allocated money sits unused. The Crisis of Unspent Cancer Funds A…
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NHLS systems still down after devastating cyberattack
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) continues to struggle with system restoration more than three weeks after a severe cyberattack disrupted its operations. The NHLS, a critical component of South Africa’s health infrastructure, provides essential diagnostic tests and maintains electronic health records for patients in the public health system. It also offers specialised tests unavailable in the private sector. The…
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Life Esidimeni inquest: Pursuit of justice
Extracting justice in this country can require a mixture of persistence, money and luck. Few among us can manage all three, and too many people do not enjoy the dignity afforded by the fair dispensation of justice. The reasons for this are many and complex. But, contrary to suburban prejudice, the quality of the people working in the courts is…
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New health MEC faces stiff test in Limpopo
Dieketseng Mashego has completed her first month as Limpopo’s Health MEC. Observers are adopting a cautious wait-and-see approach to the relatively unknown politician, emphasising the urgent need to improve health service delivery in South Africa’s second poorest province. Background and experience Mashego, 38, has no prior experience in the provincial legislature or health sector. She succeeded Phophi Ramathuba, who became…
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Ozempic linked to lower risk of cognitive decline
A new study suggests a link between Ozempic and brain health. Research from Oxford University offers hopeful insights. It examined the drug’s effect on cognitive decline. The study analysed millions of U.S. medical records. It compared Ozempic to other diabetes medications. The results point towards potential neurological benefits. This could be a significant step forward in a related field. Exploring…
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More children missed critical vaccinations in conflict zones
The United Nations has reported that an increasing number of children were left out of crucial vaccination programmes for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough in 2023. The shortfall was attributed to rising global conflicts that disrupted the supply of these life-saving vaccines, particularly in war-torn regions. UN estimates indicate that approximately 14.5 million children did not receive…
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Virginia public schools to restrict cell phone use in class
The Governor of the US state of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin, has issued an executive order to limit or ban cell phone use for approximately 1.2 million public school students. This initiative is in response to growing concerns over mental health issues and academic underachievement among adolescents. The order directs the Virginia Department of Education to establish procedures restricting cell phone…
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Possible regulatory chaos in wake of US Supreme Court ruling
The US Supreme Court’s recent decision in Loper Bright Enterprises vs Raimondo has overturned the long-standing legal doctrine known as Chevron deference, signalling a significant shift in the regulatory landscape affecting healthcare. The Chevron deference allowed courts to rely on federal agencies’ expertise to interpret ambiguous laws. This ruling now shifts that power back to the judiciary, impacting agencies such…