Category: August 2024

Mpox cases have surged across Africa since the beginning of the year, with the virus now spreading to previously unaffected countries. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15 countries, including Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, have reported mpox cases. Some East African countries, like Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, are facing the virus for the first…

Business Unity SA (Busa) has strongly objected to the emphasis on National Health Insurance (NHI) in the upcoming second presidential health compact. Busa stated that it cannot support a policy it fundamentally opposes. A draft of the compact, circulated last week, explicitly supports NHI and its enabling legislation. Busa argues that the NHI is unaffordable, unworkable, and could harm South…

Liberty Holdings has announced the closure of its health business. Liberty confirmed that it has begun an “orderly exit process” for the operations under Liberty Health (Pty) Ltd. Earlier reports indicated that Liberty was considering restructuring parts of its business, including Liberty Health. An anonymous employee mentioned that around 200 staff members could be affected by the closure. However, Liberty…

As political battles between the ANC and the DA over the National Health Insurance (NHI) rage on, South Africa’s struggling healthcare system continues to fail its citizens. This is particularly true for those battling cancer. The NHI bill, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May, aims to provide universal access to quality healthcare for all South Africans. However,…

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act is now a reality in South Africa. However, there is hope that the national dialogue process, as envisioned by the unity government, will lead to more positive and constructive discussions. In his recent address to Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised that achieving universal healthcare for all South Africans will require the resources and capabilities…

The Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) has reported that some members are still owed money after participating in the Covid-19 vaccination programme. This ongoing issue raises concerns about the financial risks of providing services to the government under the upcoming National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. Jackie Maimin, CEO of the ICPA, expressed frustration, saying it’s hard to ask our members…

A rapidly spreading Mpox outbreak in Africa is likely to be declared a public health emergency of continental security this week. This will be the first time Africa’s main health advisory body, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), will use this new authority, which it received in 2023. The declaration aims to help coordinate an international…

In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), 791 patients are waiting for six to eight weeks to get radiation treatment for cancer at public hospitals. In contrast, in Gauteng, thousands of cancer patients are waiting much longer – some over a year – for treatment at the province’s two main cancer hospitals. The Gauteng health department is now facing legal action, as organisations like…

Aaron Motsoaledi is a very focused man, but he often focuses on the wrong things. As the Health Minister from 2009 to 2019, he mainly focused on creating the National Health Insurance (NHI). During meetings with health officials, Motsoaledi would spend most of the time discussing his NHI plans, leaving little room to discuss other important issues like budgets, staff,…

The Discovery Group is making significant changes to its Vitality unit to form a single global business. They aim for a unified strategy, product, and technology approach. Discovery has combined its Vitality units to enhance competitiveness. Previously, the group was divided into business units: Discovery South Africa (SA), Vitality UK (VUK), and Vitality Global (VG). The group has announced it…

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced a roadshow to talk to people about National Health Insurance (NHI), but many are doubtful. Business, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the trade union Solidarity are not convinced this will help. The Minister announced the roadshow after the ANC’s executive committee meeting, suggesting he wants new talks about the NHI plan even though the government…

Johannesburg investment banker Cheri Nel has dropped her court case against Vertex Pharmaceuticals. She had asked the Gauteng High Court to allow generic versions of Trikafta, a cystic fibrosis medicine, to be imported to South Africa. Trikafta, a “miracle” treatment, significantly improves the lives of cystic fibrosis patients. Since its 2019 US registration, it has been effective for 90% of…