In a move that has sent shockwaves through the scientific and medical communities, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the immediate dismissal of all 17 members of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP). The decision, described as the most far-reaching action yet by the long-standing vaccine sceptic, aims…
Category: June 2025
-
Western Cape Patient Health and Public Partnerships
In a significant move to improve Western Cape patient health, the Western Cape Department of health & wellness has established an innovative think tank. This group focuses on forging closer ties with the private sector. The initiative aims to unlock new avenues for delivering quality care to state patients. These efforts range from enhancing access to vital diagnostic imaging to…
-
Gauteng MRI Rollout: Improving Patient Care
The Gauteng Department of Health is making significant strides in modernising its diagnostic capabilities. They are rolling out new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines across the province’s leading public hospitals. This initiative responds directly to challenges posed by outdated equipment, surging patient demand, and existing staff shortages. These issues have contributed to lengthy waiting times for crucial diagnostic scans, particularly…
-
HFA Proposes NHI+ to Transform South Africa’s Healthcare
The battle over South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) has escalated. The Health Funders Association (HFA) has tabled a compelling alternative model. The HFA unveiled this “NHI+” proposal amidst legal challenges against the controversial NHI Act.. It claims to offer a “faster, more affordable and lower-risk route to achieving universal health coverage.” Therefore, the HFA proposes enhancing NHI with their…
-
NHI Court Appeal Update: Ramaphosa’s Legal Battle
In a pivotal development for South Africa’s ambitious healthcare reform agenda, President Cyril Ramaphosa has secured direct leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court against a High Court ruling concerning his decision to sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law. This move escalates the legal contestation surrounding the highly anticipated legislation, which aims to establish universal health coverage.…
-
Call for Radical Reform to Combat Health Crisis
The recent World Health Assembly in Geneva convened against a backdrop of seismic shifts in the global health arena. A dramatic reduction in funding, a re-evaluation of priorities, and a changing leadership dynamic are collectively reshaping how the world addresses its most pressing health challenges. At the heart of this upheaval lies the United States’ decision to significantly cut foreign…
-
Medical Device Industry on the Brink as Debt Soars to R1.4 Billion
The South African medical device industry is sounding the alarm once again as provincial health departments, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), and the SA Military Health Service collectively owe over R1.4 billion to medical suppliers. This debt, with a significant portion outstanding for more than 30 days, is pushing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the brink and threatening…
-
Gauteng Surgical Backlog Leaves Cancer Patient in Limbo
A Gauteng man with aggressive skin cancer faces an eight-month wait for urgent surgery. This comes amid a 34,000-strong surgical backlog, highlighting a deepening healthcare crisis. The Gauteng surgical backlog has reached critical levels, with over 34,000 patients waiting for procedures across the province’s public hospitals. Salomé Meyer, director of the Cancer Alliance, condemned the system that classifies cancer operations…
-
Trump’s Tariff Stick Won’t Bring Generic Drug Manufacturing Home
President Donald Trump’s administration has championed Trump’s Tariff Stick as a means to compel global industries to relocate manufacturing to the United States. However, for the generic drug sector, which supplies roughly 90% of all medicines consumed by Americans, Trump’s Tariff Stick is a blunt instrument with potentially damaging outcomes. Industry leaders are cautioning that, instead of encouraging domestic production,…
-
Dis-Chem Faces Challenges in a Competitive Market
Retail pharmacy giant Dis-Chem is set to unveil a significantly revised rewards programme in the second half of the current financial year. The move comes as the retailer aims to regain lost market share in key categories. This follows intense promotional activity from competitors and a rapid expansion of rival store footprints. Challenging Retail Landscape and Market Share Battles Dis-Chem…
-
Immunotherapy for Cancer and Early-Stage Success
Ground-breaking advancements in immunotherapy are poised to transform cancer care. New data reveal the effectiveness of these immune-boosting drugs in treating a wider range of cancers at their earlier stages. Previously established as life-extending treatments for advanced diseases, drugs such as Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo, AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi, and Roche’s Tecentriq are now demonstrating significant promise. They are preventing recurrence and…