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,…
Category: November 2024
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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.…
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A resilient workforce shows strength in workplace stress
Despite everyday experiences of stress, anxiety, and burnout, South African workers are putting on a brave face. According to the latest GIBS October Health Workplace Well-being report, many employees show notable resilience even in challenging workplace conditions. The report, a collaboration between the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and October Health, draws insights from 501 workers, including full-time, part-time,…
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Global wellness industry surges, outpacing pharmaceuticals
In 2023, the global wellness industry reached a remarkable $6.32 trillion valuation, surpassing the combined size of the sports and pharmaceutical industries. This figure, reported by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), marks a 25% growth since 2019, driven by a surge in demand for health-focused products and services post-pandemic. The GWI defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices,…
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PIC’s possible role in public financing health Infrastructure
The Department of Health and National Treasury are discussing potentially leveraging South Africa’s R2.3-trillion savings pool to upgrade public health infrastructure. This is part of the department’s preparation for implementing National Health Insurance (NHI). The Department of Health is working to address infrastructure challenges that could impact its rollout. The focus is on finding sustainable funding sources, with the Public…
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Lack of budget adjustments for health sector raises concerns
In his recent Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana did not adjust allocations for South Africa’s health sector, sparking concerns among activists and trade unions who are apprehensive about the impact this will have on the country’s healthcare system in the upcoming year. Russell Rensburg, director of the Rural Health Advocacy Project, emphasised that the lack…
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Medicines seized amidst surge in demand for Ozempic copies
New Zealand customs officials recently seized 14 injectable pens labelled as Fitaro and Orsema – semaglutide-based medications manufactured by Incepta Pharmaceuticals, a drugmaker from Bangladesh. These drugs, meant to provide an affordable alternative to Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, underscore a surge in demand for lower-cost versions of the popular diabetes and weight loss medication. Ozempic and its anti-obesity counterpart, Wegovy, contain…
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56,000 South Africans succumbed to tuberculosis in 2023
An estimated 1.25 million people worldwide and 56,000 in South Africa succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in 2023, according to recent WHO figures. These alarming statistics place TB above COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer globally. Marcus Low analyzes these findings, examining TB’s persistent toll in South Africa and the WHO’s goals to reduce both TB incidence and mortality. TB…