International health activists and civil society organisations have launched a scathing critique of pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences and the US government. They say that Lenacapavir is in short supply and woefully inadequate to slow Africa’s epidemic. The backlash follows a joint announcement earlier this week by the US government and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria regarding…
Category: November 2025
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China’s HIV Prevention Funding Targets Vulnerable Youth
In a significant boost to South Africa’s public health resources, China has announced a $3.49 million (approximately R60 million) donation. This donation will expand critical HIV prevention funding. The investment is specifically earmarked to support young people and injecting drug users. These are demographics that currently lag behind the country’s treatment and prevention targets. The funding announcement comes at a…
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Life Healthcare Share Price Stumbles Following R2.9bn Liability Adjustment
The Life Healthcare share price took a significant knock in early trade yesterday, falling by as much as 9%. This happened after the hospital group released a trading statement detailing a multi-billion Rand adjustment to its financial liabilities. Investors reacted sharply to news that an R2.9bn adjustment related to the “Piramal liability” had heavily impacted profit from continuing operations. This…
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Childhood Hypertension Rates Nearly Double Globally
High blood pressure, a condition traditionally associated with adults, is rapidly becoming a major health crisis for the younger generation. New research published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health reveals that the worldwide prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents under the age of 19 has almost doubled between 2000 and 2020. In 2000, approximately 3.2% of children had…
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Hetero Price Collusion Probe and Its Implications
The Competition Commission has confirmed it is actively investigating the South African subsidiary of the Indian generic drug manufacturer Hetero. They are looking into potential price collusion. This significant probe centres on the procurement of crucial HIV medication. Specifically, the combination pill tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD) is under review. Most HIV patients in the country take this three-in-one regimen.…
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Ascendis Health Exits JSE and Positions for Growth
Ascendis Health has confirmed its plan to delist from the JSE in the first week of December, following an overwhelming mandate from its investors. This decision marks the culmination of the company’s significant turnaround strategy. Not long ago, it faced the prospect of bankruptcy. A resounding 93% of the company’s shareholders voted in favour of the move. This provides CEO…
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Court Upholds Malotana’s Suspension by Gauteng Premier
Suspended Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) head of department (HOD), Lesiba Malotana, suffered a significant blow. The Labour Court dismissed his urgent attempt to overturn his precautionary suspension. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi suspended Malotana as a precautionary measure in October. The action followed a damning report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This report detailed an alleged procurement syndicate operating…
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Diabetes Crisis: A Public Health Emergency in South Africa
As the diabetes crisis intensifies, civil society organisations are calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare the disease a public health emergency. They are demanding urgent government intervention and dedicated resources to combat the disease’s devastating impact. The unified demand was presented this week at the Diabetes Summit. Here, 350 stakeholders, including academics, civil society groups, industry representatives, and government…
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Gauteng Patients Face Alarming Spike in Adverse Events
Gauteng’s public healthcare system is facing intense scrutiny. This follows the revelation that Gauteng patients suffered 7,386 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) in state hospitals between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The figures, confirmed by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, represent a troubling increase from the 7,117 incidents reported in the previous year. Despite thousands of…
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Medical Scheme Tax Credits: Finance Minister Expresses Caution
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has sounded a strong note of caution. The Department of Health’s proposal to fund the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) involves phasing out medical scheme tax credits. Speaking to journalists shortly before tabling the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament, the Minister expressed deep concern over the potential impact on taxpayers. The Department of Health…