High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” is a significant public health crisis in South Africa. Implementing home-based hypertension care could be a crucial step in managing this issue. The 2023 Global Burden of Disease report ranked hypertension as the fifth-highest risk factor driving death and disability in the country. This is because it is a major contributor to…
Tag: health
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US Drug Prices Under Trump’s New Pharma Deals
Americans spend more on prescription drugs than any other nation. This fact is driven not just by volume but by staggering costs. Unlike in Europe, the US government has historically refrained from directly intervening in price setting. While modest changes under then-President Joe Biden offered some relief for seniors, his successor, Donald Trump, has vowed to aggressively slash US drug…
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Obesity Drug Deal: Trump Cuts Prices for Patients
US President Donald Trump has announced a landmark deal with drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, set to significantly reduce the price of hugely popular obesity drugs for millions of Americans. The agreement, unveiled at the White House, will slash costs for injectable treatments like Wegovy and Zepbound, as well as two forthcoming oral medications. The deal aims to save…
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Ritshidze Report Highlights Decline in Services
A new report from the community-led monitoring group Ritshidze has exposed a “system-wide slide” in basic service delivery at South Africa’s public clinics. The report states this sharp decline, marked by critical staff shortages and failing patient systems, directly coincides with the drastic cuts to the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) funding. These cuts were made earlier…
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Mpox Global Emergency Downgraded by World Health Officials
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that mpox is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert. The decision comes after a significant and sustained fall in infection rates in key African nations. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed the downgrade. The organisation’s Emergency Committee recommended it. The World Health Organisation (WHO)…
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Albert Luthuli Hospital Crisis: Lives at Risk
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital is collapsing. The hospital is a cornerstone of KZN specialist healthcare. Senior doctors warn surgical capacity has plummeted by 60%. An exodus of specialists is crippling the facility. Its ICUs are critically understaffed. There is a severe shortage of essential supplies. Insiders describe an “austerity-fuelled” and life-threatening Albert Luthuli Hospital crisis. Doctors spoke on condition…
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GLP-1 Drugs Lower Cancer Rates in Weight Loss Study
New findings suggest that popular GLP-1 drugs, widely prescribed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, may significantly influence a patient’s risk of developing certain cancers. This is mainly for the better. A comprehensive review of medical records has uncovered a compelling link. It found that the use of GLP-1 agonists – such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound –…
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Pharma Giants Sidelined in R15.5bn HIV Drug Tender
The National Department of Health has awarded its latest three-year antiretroviral (ARV) tender, valued at R15.5 billion. This decision leaves several of South Africa’s largest domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers without a contract. The government’s procurement strategy sidelines pharma giants and sparks a fresh debate. This debate pits aggressive cost-saving measures against its stated goal of bolstering local industrial capacity. The tender…
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Public Health Reform: Urgent Changes Needed
The chair of Parliament’s portfolio committee on health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has called for urgent legislative reform. This is to tackle the escalating disruptions at public health facilities by activists from Operation Dudula. The call comes as the group intensifies its campaign to block suspected foreign nationals from accessing healthcare. Dr Dhlomo condemned the group’s actions, which have seen members…
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TB Deaths in South Africa Persist Despite Drop in Infections
Tuberculosis (TB) remains South Africa’s most lethal infectious disease. TB deaths claimed an estimated 56,000 lives in 2023. This occurred even as the number of new infections saw a sharp decline, health officials have revealed. The stark figures highlight a growing paradox in the country’s fight against the disease. Although fewer people are contracting TB, a stubbornly high number are…
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Finger-Prick Technology Can Alleviate Needle Phobia
For the millions who experience anxiety at the sight of a needle, a routine blood test can be a significant ordeal. Now, with the advent of finger-prick technology, a groundbreaking innovation requiring only a few drops of blood from a fingertip could revolutionise the experience. This encourages more people to engage with vital preventative healthcare. A Common Fear with Serious…
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Emergency Funds Provide Lifeline for Medical Research
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced a significant financial intervention from the National Treasury. They are releasing an initial R753 million in emergency funds. This aims to mitigate the severe impact of recent US funding cuts on South Africa’s health system. These emergency funds are the first part of a potential multi-phase government response. Its success hinges on effective…