Despite fading from the forefront of the global news cycle, the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to exact a heavy toll on South Africa’s healthcare system and economy. According to the latest estimates, 53,000 people died of AIDS-related complications in South Africa in 2024. While the country has made commendable strides over the past two decades – most notably by enrolling approximately…
Category: November 2025
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Life Healthcare Digital Strategy: Human Care Remains Key
As the global medical sector races toward automation and artificial intelligence, the head of one of South Africa’s largest private hospital groups has issued a poignant reminder. Technology cannot replace the nurse at the bedside. However, a well-defined Life Healthcare digital strategy aims to integrate technology without losing the human touch. Peter Wharton-Hood, CEO of Life Healthcare, emphasised this philosophy…
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Medical Scheme Tax Credits: Treasury Resists Reallocation for NHI
A significant policy rift has emerged within the South African government over funding for the National Health Insurance (NHI). This debate concerns the future of medical scheme tax credits. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Act into law in May 2024, yet Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana remains reluctant to implement the funding mechanisms required by the law. In a recent…
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Global Fund Financing Crisis and African Health Risks
The era of expansive multilateral health financing appears to be waning, as evidenced by the sombre outcome of last week’s high-stakes financing event for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Despite rhetoric about international solidarity, the Global Fund financing crisis was laid bare when the organisation raised only $11.34bn, falling woefully short of its $18bn target. Held…
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Competency-Based Medical Curriculum: A Critical Review
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has issued a stern warning. It concerns the implementation of a new training model launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO). SAMA argues that speed should not come at the expense of patient safety. Following the WHO Regional Office for Africa’s launch of a new competency-based medical curriculum, SAMA has cautioned against viewing the…
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African Paediatric Healthcare Crisis Exposed by Study
Africa is currently undergoing a seismic demographic shift. Home to the world’s youngest population, the continent will house nearly 800 million children by 2060. At the same time, this youth bulge represents a potential economic dividend. However, a landmark new study has delivered a sobering reality check. It regards the health systems tasked with keeping this generation alive. Published this…
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Long-acting Injectable PrEP: Transforming HIV Strategies
South Africa is currently bracing for the most significant paradigm shift in its HIV response in over a decade. The national health authority has officially approved long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). There are plans to roll it out across the public sector in the coming year. For public health advocates, this development represents a potential turning point for prevention. It…
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Digitisation Drives Netcare’s Growth with a 20.7% in HEPS
Hospital Group Netcare has delivered a robust set of full-year earnings for the year ended 30 September 2025. The group reported a significant 20.7% surge in adjusted headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 137.2 cents, underpinned by resilient demand for private healthcare and the successful execution of its digitisation strategy. Indeed, digitisation is driving Netcare’s growth, contributing significantly to these…
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SA Doubles Pledge to Global Fund as Donors Miss Target
South Africa doubled its pledge to the Global Fund replenishment, emerging as a notable outlier in global health financing. This SA action represents a significant commitment to the Global Fund’s replenishment. The summit concluded on Friday with a substantial funding shortfall. This situation raises concerns about the future trajectory of the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. Despite the…
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Lilly Hits $1 Trillion Valuation with Weight-Loss Success
In a historic milestone for the pharmaceutical industry, Eli Lilly surged to a market value of $1 trillion on Friday. It became the first drugmaker to join an exclusive club previously dominated by technology heavyweights. This event marked the moment Lilly hit a $1 trillion valuation. It highlighted the company’s rapid ascent as a global powerhouse in the weight-loss sector.…
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UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report Highlights Lockdown Failures
A damning new report from the UK public inquiry concludes that implementing the first national lockdown just one week earlier would have prevented approximately 23,000 deaths in England. The findings paint a scathing picture of the government’s initial response, citing a “failure to appreciate the level of risk” and a “toxic” internal culture. Baroness Heather Hallett, the retired senior judge…
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NHI in South Africa: Political Ideology vs Reality
Following the Medium-Term Budget Statement and recent parliamentary presentations, the National Health Insurance (NHI) is back in the headlines. While there is no dispute that South Africa’s healthcare system is profoundly unequal and requires urgent reform, the path forward remains fiercely contested. The current friction stems from a policy shift in 2007. Before this, post-apartheid reform favoured a phased approach…