National Health Insurance implementation has hit a fresh legal speed bump. This happened after the Department of Health and multiple organisations challenging the NHI Act agreed to freeze court action while the Constitutional Court weighs in on how Parliament handled public participation. The pause was made an order of court in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday, 24 February 2026,…
Tag: Department of Health
-
National Health Insurance Negotiations: SAMA Seeks NHI Talks
South Africa’s largest doctors’ organisation, the South African Medical Association (SAMA), is preparing for fresh talks with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on the future shape of National Health Insurance (NHI). The move follows a public push by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for organisations challenging the NHI Act to consider negotiating a settlement, rather than prolonging court battles. SAMA is one…
-
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…
-
New NHI Taxes Timeline Suggests Delay Until 2033
The government may not need to introduce new taxes to finance the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme for another decade. This is according to a presentation by the Department of Health to Parliament. The department’s deputy director-general for NHI, Nicholas Crisp, sketched a 15-year phased funding model. This suggests that new tax levies would only commence around 2033/34. New NHI…
-
New TB Vaccine Initiatives by South Africa
South Africa has taken a landmark step in its fight against tuberculosis (TB) by hosting the first-ever national workshop on TB vaccine preparedness. The event, co-convened by the Department of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), signals a new era in public health. It moves the conversation from treatment to outright prevention for adolescents and adults. With a new,…
-
Doctors and Nurses Exodus Threatening Patient Care
A staggering exodus of medical professionals is crippling South Africa’s public health sector. Official figures reveal that nearly 6,000 doctors and nurses are resigning from state facilities every year. This devastating brain drain is placing the nation’s healthcare system under immense pressure. As a result, hospitals are critically understaffed and vulnerable communities are left without care. Recent data presented in…
-
New COVID-19 Variant No Threat to South Africa
While the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided from its peak, the virus continues to circulate and evolve globally. The recent designation of a new variant, NB.1.8.1, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has sparked online discussion. South Africa’s leading scientists are urging calm while highlighting a more pressing local issue: vaccine accessibility. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed…
-
Unemployed Doctors Struggle Amid Workforce Shortages
A significant investment in South Africa’s future healthcare has been left in limbo. Hundreds of newly qualified, state-funded doctors are unable to find employment in the public sector. These unemployed doctors face challenges as they struggle to secure positions despite the urgent need in medical institutions. In the Free State alone, more than 20 doctors trained in Cuba under the…
-
Gauteng Cancer Treatment Backlog: Court’s Urgent Ruling
The Gauteng High Court has ordered immediate action. This ruling addresses a severe public health crisis. It concerns the Gauteng cancer treatment backlog. Thousands of cancer patients have been waiting for care. They need urgent radiation oncology services. The order directly impacts Charlotte Maxeke and Steve Biko Academic Hospitals. For many vulnerable patients, this decision offers a critical lifeline. It…