The Eastern Cape’s estimated medicolegal liability fell from R38bn to just under R19bn over five years, according to former health department head Dr Rolene Wagner. However, analysts warn that a smaller bill does not, by itself, show that patients are safer. The province also wants to treat some children injured in public hospitals rather than pay lump sums for their…
Category: October 2024
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Child Hunger Worsens Despite Improved National Food Security
A troubling paradox has emerged from South Africa’s latest food security data: while the nation’s overall food security shows signs of recovery, the number of households with children experiencing hunger has significantly increased. This trend casts a dark shadow over the country’s progress and highlights a deepening crisis for its most vulnerable citizens. The SA Food Security Index 2025, which…
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Godongwana blames provinces for healthcare staffing crisis
In his medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana attributed South Africa’s healthcare staffing shortages to the provinces’ failure to ensure that the Treasury’s allocated funds reached frontline healthcare workers. According to Godongwana, South Africa’s fiscal system allows provinces flexibility in managing funds under the provincial equitable share, which has led to disparities in budget allocations and impacted…
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AI innovations promise to revolutionise African healthcare
This month saw AI innovations showcased on the global stage, from Las Vegas to Cape Town, as major tech companies and health experts gathered to explore the future of healthcare. In Las Vegas, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia demonstrated how AI-driven tools can save doctors and nurses precious time. Meanwhile, Cape Town hosted the Africa Health Exhibition & Congress to discuss…
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SA’s largest pharmacy chains have ambitious expansion plans
South Africa’s two largest pharmacy chains, Clicks and Dis-Chem, are pushing aggressive expansion plans, reflecting market optimism about their future growth. Both companies are enhancing their presence through new store rollouts and a strong focus on loyalty programmes, appealing to the increasing number of value-focused consumers in South Africa. Clicks has proven resilient with a cash-generative business model. Its strategic…
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Aspen secures licensing agreement to enter GLP-1 market
Aspen Pharmacare’s CEO, Stephen Saad, has celebrated the company’s new licensing agreement to enter the rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonist market. He said this milestone marks a “significant coup” for the company, enabling it to prepare for the market by 2026 and capitalise on the anticipated demand for diabetes and obesity treatment solutions. The global GLP-1 market, driven by increased demand…
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Tuberculosis was the top infectious disease killer in 2023
According to a recent World Health Organisation report, tuberculosis (TB) has become the leading cause of infectious disease-related deaths in 2023, overtaking COVID-19. With over 8.2 million new TB diagnoses – the highest recorded since monitoring began in 1995 – the report emphasises the urgent need for increased funding and resources in the fight against TB. The WHO data reveals…
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Moving toward NHI and primary care focus
Since emerging from apartheid three decades ago, South Africa has worked to ensure access to healthcare, food, and social assistance, as promised in the 1996 Constitution’s Bill of Rights. Yet, despite investments, the public healthcare system remains hampered by resource inequity, unmet needs, and insufficient primary care access. The proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) seeks to reshape healthcare delivery, prioritising…
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Clicks expands with affordable generics and 24-hour pharmacies
As healthcare costs soar, Clicks’ customers increasingly choose generic medications because they are affordable. Sales of generics, including Clicks-branded and other pharmaceutical brands, grew by 10% in the year to August 2024. Generics comprise 59% of Clicks’ pharmacy sales by value and 69% by volume. As the demand for budget-friendly health solutions grows, Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht emphasised the group’s…
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Dis-Chem achieves 16.3% growth in the first half of 2024
Dis-Chem Pharmacies has reported strong financial results for the first half of 2024, showcasing a 16.3% increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS). The group’s focus on expansion and efficient cost management has significantly boosted its bottom line. Dis-Chem recorded a 9.6% rise in total revenue for the six months ending in August, reaching R19.6 billion. The retail segment saw…
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Concerns arise over R836m oxygen plant roll-out
The Department of Health’s (DoH) R836 million oxygen plant installation project for 55 government hospitals is under scrutiny due to the appointment of Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd. Despite its questionable background, project overseer Independent Development Trust (IDT) awarded Bulkeng a R428 million contract, raising comparisons to the Digital Vibes scandal. Bulkeng, a company with limited experience in medical technology, lacks SAHPRA…