The global malaria crisis is facing a severe and potentially irreversible setback, according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) latest report. Progress in fighting the disease has stagnated since 2015, and by 2024, key indicators show a dramatic regression that experts are calling catastrophic. Global Malaria Crisis Escalates With Alarming Statistics In 2024, malaria infected 282 million people and killed…
Tag: global health
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2025 Health in Review: Challenges and Triumphs
The 2025 Health in Review for the South African healthcare sector began with a seismic geopolitical shock. It is ending with a mixed scorecard of administrative failures and clinical triumphs. The tone for the year was set in January. This occurred when newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing all foreign aid for 90 days. The…
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Global Fund Financing Crisis and African Health Risks
The era of expansive multilateral health financing appears to be waning, as evidenced by the sombre outcome of last week’s high-stakes financing event for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Despite rhetoric about international solidarity, the Global Fund financing crisis was laid bare when the organisation raised only $11.34bn, falling woefully short of its $18bn target. Held…
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African Paediatric Healthcare Crisis Exposed by Study
Africa is currently undergoing a seismic demographic shift. Home to the world’s youngest population, the continent will house nearly 800 million children by 2060. At the same time, this youth bulge represents a potential economic dividend. However, a landmark new study has delivered a sobering reality check. It regards the health systems tasked with keeping this generation alive. Published this…
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SA Doubles Pledge to Global Fund as Donors Miss Target
South Africa doubled its pledge to the Global Fund replenishment, emerging as a notable outlier in global health financing. This SA action represents a significant commitment to the Global Fund’s replenishment. The summit concluded on Friday with a substantial funding shortfall. This situation raises concerns about the future trajectory of the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. Despite the…
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Lenacapavir in Short Supply Amid HIV Epidemic in Africa
International health activists and civil society organisations have launched a scathing critique of pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences and the US government. They say that Lenacapavir is in short supply and woefully inadequate to slow Africa’s epidemic. The backlash follows a joint announcement earlier this week by the US government and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria regarding…
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China’s HIV Prevention Funding Targets Vulnerable Youth
In a significant boost to South Africa’s public health resources, China has announced a $3.49 million (approximately R60 million) donation. This donation will expand critical HIV prevention funding. The investment is specifically earmarked to support young people and injecting drug users. These are demographics that currently lag behind the country’s treatment and prevention targets. The funding announcement comes at a…
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Childhood Hypertension Rates Nearly Double Globally
High blood pressure, a condition traditionally associated with adults, is rapidly becoming a major health crisis for the younger generation. New research published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health reveals that the worldwide prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents under the age of 19 has almost doubled between 2000 and 2020. In 2000, approximately 3.2% of children had…
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UK Cuts Contribution to Global Fund By 15 Percent
Britain has announced an £850 million pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, marking a significant 15% reduction in its contribution as the nation grapples with tighter domestic budgets. The pledge covers the 2026-2028 period. The UK government, historically a major donor to the Geneva-based health initiative, defended the decision by highlighting its expected impact. Officials…
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Global Inequity Prolonging Epidemics and HIV/AIDS
Global inequalities are actively prolonging existing pandemics, such as HIV/AIDS. They are critically undermining the world’s ability to respond to future outbreaks, according to a stark new report. The report highlights how global inequity prolongs epidemics as a major issue that needs immediate attention. The report, “The Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics,” is an expert panel convened by…
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Malaria Progress Stalls as Resurgence Looms
The global fight against malaria has stalled after two decades of significant progress. Campaigners warned yesterday that a “perfect storm” of climate change, population growth, and funding gaps threatens a deadly resurgence. A new report by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (Alma) and Malaria No More UK states that insufficient funding for increasingly costly prevention programmes is putting decades of…
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HIV Funding Boost Revealed by Health Minister Motsoaledi
South Africa’s vital HIV/AIDS programmes have received a crucial R2 billion lifeline from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The HIV funding boost will be disbursed over the next six months. It will sustain existing services and prevent the collapse of critical health initiatives nationwide. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi made the significant announcement during a…