Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed that the Department of Health will proceed with its planned R65.9 million NHI advertising campaign. This decision comes despite facing a severe funding shortfall for critical HIV/AIDS programmes. The Minister cited the need to combat “irrational and negative propaganda” surrounding the NHI as the primary reason for continuing the campaign. HIV Funding Gap Sparks…
Tag: Aaron Motsoaledi
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African Pharmaceutical Procurement: A Path to Self-Sufficiency
A pooled system for African pharmaceutical procurement is crucial. Africa must reduce its dependence on imported medicines. Delegates at a G20 event reached this conclusion. The discussion highlighted Africa’s vulnerability in its supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this. Recent US and European aid cuts emphasised this. The Need for African Pharmaceutical Procurement Africa’s lack of local production is a…
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Hiring Healthcare Professionals to Address Shortages
South Africa’s public health sector has received a potential boost. The National Health Council approved R1.78 billion. The funds are dedicated to hiring healthcare professionals. This offers hope to many unemployed health graduates. It also addresses the country’s critical staffing shortages. Hiring Healthcare Professionals to Address Gaps The NHC is the country’s top health decision-making body. It has earmarked the…
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Universal health coverage urgently needed – Motsoaledi
South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi warned that the world must expedite universal health coverage (UHC) to achieve its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He made this statement during his speech at the G20 Health Working Group. He highlighted alarming global setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising healthcare costs, and shrinking health budgets. These issues threaten to reverse decades…
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SA confident of HIV treatment goals despite aid cuts
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has reassured Parliament that he is confident in achieving its ambitious HIV treatment targets despite recent cuts in US aid. The minister’s assurance comes as a response to concerns raised by MPs regarding the potential impact of US funding reductions on South Africa’s healthcare system. South Africa aims to provide treatment to an additional 1.1 million…
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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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GNU faces major showdown over National Health Insurance
The GNU (Government of National Unity) has been hit by its first significant cabinet clash, with ANC and DA ministers at odds over proposed spending plans. The most contentious issue at the centre of the debate is the National Health Insurance (NHI), a plan to reshape South Africa’s healthcare system. Insiders reported that tempers flared during an extended cabinet meeting…