Category: Archive

Medical scheme administrator Discovery Health has intensified its legal challenge against the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and its CEO, Collins Letsoalo. On Thursday, Discovery Health requested the court to declare the RAF and Letsoalo in breach of a previous judgment and to resume paying claims from medical schemes. Initially, Discovery sought a contempt of court ruling against the RAF and…

State-backed vaccine manufacturer Biovac has revitalised its operations through significant partnerships and investment. The company has signed agreements with multinational pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and South Korean firm EuBiologics to produce vaccines for polio and meningitis. Additionally, Biovac has received a €10 million commitment from the French government. This funding is to expedite its work on an oral cholera vaccine. These…

The Health Funders Association (HFA), a key industry group for medical schemes, is optimistic that the new national unity government will allow for reconsideration of the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. The HFA’s members, including the largest Discovery Health Medical Scheme, cover about half of South Africa’s 9 million medical scheme beneficiaries. HFA chair Craig Comrie said their optimism…

There are six legal challenges against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, filed by Solidarity, the Health Funders’ Association, the South African Medical Association, the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), the South African Health Professionals Collaboration, and the Democratic Alliance. Elsabe Klinck, managing director at Elsabe Klinck and Associates, anticipates these cases will eventually be consolidated, which might initially delay…

A decade into its cervical cancer vaccination programme, South Africa strives to increase HPV vaccination coverage to combat cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer in women in the country. HPV infection, accounting for 95% of global cervical cancer cases, is targeted by the national HPV vaccination campaign launched in 2014. HPV vaccination coverage among eligible pupils stands at…

The shortage of mpox vaccines and treatments in African countries experiencing outbreaks highlights the world’s inadequate preparedness for another pandemic, according to Helen Clark, former co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. South Africa, which has reported seven mpox cases since May, is negotiating for vaccine donations from Western countries with surplus stock but has not yet…

Dis-Chem’s strategy to expand its store footprint by 45% over the next three years is ambitious. This plan aims to match its main competitor, Clicks, in terms of store space in various regions. In Gauteng, Dis-Chem and Clicks are nearly equal in space. However, Clicks has two to three times more space in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Historically,…

With technological advancements at the forefront, South Africa’s healthcare landscape is transforming significantly. This evolution is exemplified by the emergence of the “digital nurse,” integrating technology into nursing to streamline processes, address the nurse shortage, and enhance patient care. Virtual platforms are now essential in nursing, providing efficient professional development through online meetings, networking, and educational resources. This fosters a…