Health activists are demanding that the Competition Commission reopen its investigation into pharmaceutical giant Vertex. They argue the company’s pricing and access strategies for its revolutionary cystic fibrosis drug, Trikafta, have created a deep and unjust divide. As a result, the treatment is out of reach for most South African patients. The commission dropped its initial probe into Vertex in…
Tag: health
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Lethal Neglect and Deaths in Kimberley Hospital
An explosive investigation by the Health Ombud has uncovered a litany of catastrophic failures and lethal neglect at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital. The hospital staff left patients in dangerously cold conditions without electricity. This lethal neglect led to at least two deaths and caused severe harm to others. Following a complaint from Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in…
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SA Life Expectancy Gains and Public Health Advances
South Africans are living significantly longer lives. The national life expectancy at birth has surged by an impressive 12 years since the turn of the century, according to new data. This improvement highlights major advances in public health, particularly in the fight against HIV. Furthermore, it reflects an overall enhancement of living conditions across the nation, as shown by the…
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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,…
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SA Scientists Pioneer Nanotech Therapy for Lethal Melanoma
In a significant medical breakthrough, scientists from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have developed a novel therapy for melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. The innovative treatment combines advanced nanotechnology with a natural compound found in turmeric. This combination provides a powerful, targeted attack directly to cancer cells. The research by Wits University’s Advanced Drug Delivery Platform…
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Early-Onset Cancer Cases Surge Dramatically
There has been an alarming surge in early-onset cancer cases worldwide. Specifically, there is a 79.1% increase since the 1990s, leaving scientists puzzled. A disturbing trend is sweeping the globe: cancer, a disease often associated with ageing, is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people. Over the past three decades, research has shown a concerning surge in malignancies affecting adults under…
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Rise in Allergies Due to Climate Change Effects
The familiar misery of a runny nose, itchy eyes, and worsening asthma symptoms for hay fever sufferers is set to become even more pervasive, as experts warn of an “explosion” of allergies driven by a shifting climate. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has identified a clear link between climate change and altered patterns in pollen and spore production and distribution,…
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HIV/AIDS Programme Remains Strong Amid Funding Cuts
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has provided reassurances on the future of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme following the withdrawal of PEPFAR funding. He detailed the government’s mitigation efforts and engagements with potential donors.1 HIV/AIDS Programme ‘Not at Risk of Collapsing’ Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has moved to quell fears surrounding the future of South Africa’s HIV/Aids response. He firmly stated the…
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Antibiotic Resistance Claims Lives of Premature Babies
South Africa is facing a critical public health crisis as antibiotic resistance increasingly undermines life-saving treatments, particularly for vulnerable infants. Experts say that antibiotic-resistant infections are now the leading cause of neonatal mortality in the country. This is especially true among premature babies who are prone to hospital-acquired infections. Antibiotic resistance claims lives needlessly, highlighting the severity of the crisis.…
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South Africa intensifies fight against tuberculosis
With less than five years remaining to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, South Africa faces a critical challenge: ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. The goal is ambitious: an 80% reduction in TB incidence and a 90% decline in TB deaths compared with 2015 levels. While South Africa has made remarkable strides, halving the number of TB patients between…
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Gauteng health department criticised over unpaid gas bills
The Gauteng health department is again facing severe criticism. Its ongoing financial troubles have disrupted essential gas supplies at two major hospitals. Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital experienced gas supply interruptions from Egoli Gas due to unpaid bills, jeopardising patient care. The crisis stems from the department’s failure to settle a R15 million…