Mpox cases in South Africa have climbed sharply over the past few weeks, prompting the Department of Health to urge immediate and sustained public co-operation. By 17 September, the country had recorded 18 laboratory-confirmed infections and one probable case, according to departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale. The trend points to growing local transmission of a preventable viral infection. Mohale said 13…
Tag: Department of Health
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Lenacapavir HIV prevention faces SA supply constraints
Lenacapavir HIV prevention could significantly shorten the time South Africa needs to bring HIV transmission under control. However, modelling suggests the country would need millions of people to receive the long-acting injection each year to realise its full potential. Clinical trials found that lenacapavir provided almost complete protection against HIV infection. The injectable prevention option could also address a persistent…
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Childhood immunisation coverage falls sharply in South Africa
Childhood immunisation coverage in South Africa has fallen sharply. As a result, the Department of Health has called for urgent action as outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases spread across the country. The proportion of infants under one year who have received no vaccinations rose from 12.1% in 2017 to 36.3% between January and April 2026. As a result, the share of…
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Crisis Deepens
South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing crisis is growing as local producers lose government contracts and contend with rising costs. Stavros Nicolaou, chair of Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa, says the Department of Health’s procurement policy is undermining the government’s localisation ambitions. He notes that officials award contracts to companies labelled as local suppliers. However, some companies import finished medicines rather than…
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Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Row Deepens
The Department of Health defended its medicine procurement policies after an industry body blamed government tender practices for thousands of job losses. These job losses occurred among South African pharmaceutical manufacturers. The dispute highlights increasing tension between government efforts to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing and the need to secure affordable medicines. However, the Department of Health also needs to secure…
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Unsafe Cosmetic Procedures Raise SA Health Alarm
The national Department of Health has raised concerns about unsafe cosmetic procedures taking place outside South Africa’s regulated healthcare system. Health officials warned that treatments involving unregistered practitioners or unregulated products could cause severe and potentially life-threatening complications. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the government does not oppose cosmetic surgery or aesthetic medicine. It recognises these procedures as healthcare services…
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Imported Medicines Threaten SA’s Local Pharmaceutical Industry
South Africa’s local pharmaceutical manufacturers have warned that the Department of Health’s growing reliance on imported medicines could place jobs, industrial capacity, and the country’s security of medicine supply at risk. The warning follows analysis by Pharmaceuticals Made in SA (Pharmisa). Their findings show that importers have steadily increased their share of two of the Department of Health’s biggest medicine…
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Biovac Vaccine Tender Secures Critical R5.3bn State Contract
The Biovac Institute has retained a critical contract to supply the South African state with Hexaxim. Hexaxim is the six-in-one shot provided to infants in the national childhood immunisation programme. The R5.3bn award was announced in the Department of Health’s next three-year national vaccine tender. This tender is set to begin on January 1, 2027. This contract is vital to…
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Declaration On Diabetes: Facing a National Emergency
South Africa’s diabetes burden is moving from “silent epidemic” to loud national emergency. Amanda Mashego, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes six years ago, describes daily management as a 24-hour job with no breaks. Every meal, mood shift, and exercise session requires constant calculation. Yet she says the mental load remains largely unseen by the healthcare system. That invisible workload is…
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Medicine Price Increase: Industry Demands Transparency
South Africa’s pharmaceutical sector is reaching a boiling point. The country’s umbrella body for manufacturers is now pressuring the National Department of Health for answers. At the heart of the dispute is the recent 1.47% hike in medicine prices for the private sector. Industry leaders warn that without full disclosure on how this figure was reached, legal action is inevitable.…
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NHI Act Implementation: Addressing Healthcare Gaps
The legal journey of the National Health Insurance (NHI) has hit a significant pause. Following a High Court order, the South African government has agreed to halt the proclamation and implementation of the Act. This suspension will remain in place until the Constitutional Court rules on challenges regarding public participation. While the delay is legally rooted, it highlights a deeper…
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Global Fund Fraud Case: Health Director-General Arrested
The National Department of Health (NDoH) has plunged into a fresh governance crisis. The Hawks arrested Director-General Sandile Buthelezi and two senior colleagues this week. They face serious fraud and theft charges linked to the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria & TB. The Hawks arrested the suspects for allegedly misusing Global Fund resources. While the international fund supports critical health…