South Africa’s battle for affordable TB medicines echoes the country’s earlier struggle to expand access to HIV treatment. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, South Africa faced an uncontrolled AIDS epidemic. The crisis was worsened by the government’s rejection of the scientific consensus on HIV/AIDS. Under former President Thabo Mbeki, many public-sector patients were denied access to life-saving antiretroviral…
Category: September 2024
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Group urges clarification on cover for autoimmune diseases
The Autoimmune Association of South Africa (AASA) has urged the South African medical schemes regulator, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), to provide clear guidelines regarding the extent to which medical schemes are required to cover expensive specialised treatments that are not commonly available in the public healthcare system. AASA’s executive director, Catherine McCormack, highlighted the ongoing struggles of dozens…
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Reviving abandoned healthcare reforms in South Africa
According to the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), South Africa’s healthcare landscape could undergo a transformative shift if previously abandoned reforms are reintroduced. The association emphasised that these reforms, set aside when the ANC began pursuing National Health Insurance (NHI), could drastically reduce the number of patients relying on public health facilities and improve overall access to care. Historical…
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Challenges with second Presidential Health Compact
The second presidential health compact, recently signed by the government alongside limited health sector stakeholders, claims to be a framework for cooperation to achieve positive healthcare outcomes. However, concerns are mounting that it serves primarily to push the legally contested and potentially unconstitutional National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. Misrepresentations and Misleading Claims The government has made several misleading claims in…
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High Court lets RAF appeal judgment on new claim requirements
The Pretoria High Court has granted the Road Accident Fund (RAF) permission to appeal a recent ruling that nullified its attempt to enforce stricter requirements on claimants. This development comes amid ongoing legal battles over the RAF’s authority and the rights of road accident victims. The RAF, a statutory entity responsible for compensating road accident victims for medical expenses and…
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Health Department to release first NHI draft regulations
The South African Department of Health is set to release its initial draft regulations for the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act within the next month, marking a significant step towards the government’s ambitious goal of achieving universal health coverage. According to a senior official, these regulations will soon be available for public comment, inviting stakeholders to contribute to shaping the…
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NHI faces funding challenges to match medical aid quality
As South Africa moves towards implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI), concerns are mounting over whether the new system will match the quality of care provided by private medical aids. Despite medical schemes’ standard coverage of essential services, experts highlight that NHI will require substantial funding to ensure that it offers comparable care, particularly in handling medical emergencies, maternity care,…
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Nine million rely on medical aids for better quality of life
In South Africa, nine million people benefit from critical medications and treatments provided by private medical aids under the Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) regulations. This staggering figure highlights the prevalence of chronic health conditions and the vital role private medical aids play in the country’s healthcare system. However, the future of these essential services remains uncertain as the National Health…
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Challenges securing vaccines amidst Africa’s mpox outbreak
Two weeks ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the mpox outbreak in Africa. This declaration highlights a significant issue: while Europe and the US secured vaccines swiftly during their outbreaks in 2022, Africa is lagging in accessing these critical resources. In response to the mpox outbreak in Europe and the…
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New mpox strain in DRC mutating faster than expected
A new strain of the mpox virus, called clade Ib, is evolving rapidly and raising global concerns after spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Scientists studying this strain warn that the virus is changing faster than anticipated, particularly in regions where tracking efforts are hindered by limited funding and equipment. This situation complicates understanding the virus’s transmission, severity,…
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Ritshidze Report exposes failures in Free State healthcare
The latest Ritshidze report has unveiled severe shortcomings in the Free State’s public healthcare system, revealing that only 17% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) receive a three-month supply of antiretroviral (ARV) medication. The report highlights a range of systemic issues, including long wait times, staff unfriendliness, denial of services, poor treatment literacy, and unsanitary conditions in healthcare facilities. Ritshidze,…
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WHO launches $135m plan to combat global mpox outbreak
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled a comprehensive preparedness and response plan to coordinate global efforts to contain the escalating mpox outbreak, which has been declared an international health emergency. The WHO is seeking $135 million to fund the first six months of this critical plan, starting in September. The plan is designed to halt human-to-human transmission of mpox,…