The Health Department has referred inflated NHI advertising contract claims to the SIU, AGSA and Public Protector, rejecting them as misleading. The Health Department has referred allegations of inflated NHI advertising contracts to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and the Public Protector, insisting that independent investigators test claims of diverted funds. The department rejects the…
Tag: Health Department
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Thembisile Xulu Named New Health Director-General
South Africa has a new health Director-General. Last week, a cabinet statement confirmed the appointment of Dr Thembisile Xulu, the outgoing chief executive of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). She becomes the country’s sixth permanent health DG since 1994. Her appointment moves her from coordinating the national response to HIV, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections into the top…
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Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Needs Urgent Support
An industry group has warned that South Africa’s emphasis on securing the lowest possible prices for medicine is excluding local pharmaceutical companies from important state contracts. This issue highlights the challenges faced by local pharmaceutical manufacturing. In particular, they struggle to remain competitive in the market. Pharmaceuticals Made in South Africa (Pharmisa) told Parliament that the Health Department’s procurement policies…
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Health Department Suspensions Follow Senior Official’s Arrests
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has officially confirmed several suspensions at the Health Department. This follows the recent arrests of high-ranking officials. The charges involve alleged fraud and theft. Motsoaledi placed Director-General Sandile Buthelezi and two other senior figures on precautionary suspension. This move follows their court appearance last week. The suspensions aim to protect the integrity of the department. They…
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1.4% SEP Increase Impacts Pharmaceutical Investment
The pharmaceutical sector has issued a strident, urgent plea to the Health Department. They are imploring officials to immediately reconsider the newly gazetted 1.4% SEP increase in the maximum Single Exit Price (SEP) for medicines in 2026. The adjustment, set at a mere 1.47%, is a significant blow to the industry. They had anticipated an increase more than double that…
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Tembisa Hospital Looting Sparks Health Head’s Suspension
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has suspended the head of the provincial health department, Lesiba Arnold Malotana, with immediate effect. This follows damning revelations of wholesale looting at Tembisa hospital. Describing the situation as “disturbing”, the Premier’s move makes Malotana the first high-profile casualty of the corruption scandal uncovered by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The suspension follows the assassination of…
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Sakeliga’s NHI Legal Battle for Constiutional Justice
Sakeliga’s NHI Legal Battle has garnered attention. The business lobby group Sakeliga has become the latest organisation to mount a legal challenge against South Africa’s contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. They filed papers at the Pretoria High Court to have it declared unconstitutional and invalid. The focus of Sakeliga’s NHI Legal Battle is to highlight the impracticalities and financial…
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Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in South Africa
South Africa is taking a giant step in its fight against HIV. The Department of Health announced plans to make a new, twice-yearly anti-HIV injection available in public clinics. The drug, lenacapavir, represents a potential turning point for HIV prevention. It could significantly curb new infections across the nation. Introducing lenacapavir for HIV prevention could change the landscape of health…
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Boost for Public Health Jobs in South Africa
The South African government has announced a significant financial injection of over R20 billion to revitalise the public health sector. This provides a much-needed boost for public health. This move aims to safeguard thousands of jobs and address critical staff shortages. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana unveiled the allocation while tabling his latest 2025/2026 budget. The National Assembly dubbed this budget…
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NHI Advertising Campaign Proceeds Despite HIV Funding Shortfall
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…