Essential medicine shortages are forcing South Africa’s public hospitals and clinics to find alternatives or give patients prescriptions to fill at private pharmacies. The National Health Department’s October hotlist flagged 165 products in critically short supply, including treatments for cancer and severe mental illness. Its November master products list includes 1,135 medicines that provinces can procure. Andy Gray, a senior…
Tag: Mental Health
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Financial Stress Is the Leading Driver of Poor Mental Health
Financial stress is the top contributor to poor mental health across every generation in South Africa, according to a new survey by private hospital group Mediclinic. Between 59% and 66% of respondents in each generation cited it as a cause. Moreover, 45% said they had never used a mental healthcare provider, partly because of cost and partly because of stigma.…
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Noncommunicable Diseases Cause 74% of Global Deaths
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, up from 58% in 2000, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figures come from WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates, which track life expectancy, causes of death and disease burden from 2000 to 2023. Life expectancy returns to pre-pandemic levels Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023,…
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Netcare patient volumes support FY guidance
Netcare patient volumes increased in the 2026 financial year, helping the private hospital group remain on track to meet its full-year guidance. Total paid patient days (PPD) rose by about 1.6% for the year ended September, while acute PPD increased by approximately 0.8%. However, medical scheme measures to strengthen solvency constrained activity in the acute hospital portfolio. These measures included…
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Young adult mental health claims rise 80%
Young adult mental health is becoming an increasingly important driver of healthcare demand in South Africa. This is according to Discovery Health’s HealthTrend26 report. Among members aged 18 to 30, the prevalence of mental health claims has increased by 80% over the past decade. The report draws on more than 60 million life-years of clinical, lifestyle and behavioural data. It…
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Brics Health Cooperation Advances UHC Ambitions
Brics member states have committed to deeper healthcare collaboration after adopting the 16th Brics Health Ministers’ Declaration. The agreement builds on an earlier pledge to work collectively towards universal health coverage, or UHC. More than 70 representatives and partner organisations endorsed the declaration during a recent Brics health ministers’ meeting in Chandigarh, India. Delegates identified nine priority areas for cooperation.…
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South Africa’s Suicide Rate Ranks Fourth In Africa
South Africa has the fourth-highest suicide rate in Africa, according to the latest figures published via the World Health Organisation’s Global Health Observatory. The country’s rate is 21.1 deaths per 100,000 people. It sits behind Lesotho (36.7), Eswatini (31.0) and Zimbabwe (25.4). Eritrea (20.2) rounds out the top five among countries that submitted data. The ranking matters beyond public health…
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Netcare CEO Transition: Melanie Da Costa Named Successor
Netcare has confirmed a high-profile leadership handover that will reshape the top team at one of South Africa’s biggest private healthcare groups. The JSE-listed company has appointed long-serving executive Melanie Da Costa as its next chief executive officer, with a phased transition that runs through 2026 and into 2027. Da Costa is currently Executive Director for Strategy and Health Policy.…
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George Mukhari Patient Death Exposes System Failures
South Africa’s public mental health system is back in the spotlight after the Health Ombud released findings into the George Mukhari Hospital death of 35-year-old Lerato Mohlamme, a psychiatric patient. She died from burn injuries after a fire at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in June 2024. The report paints a picture of routine cruelty and dangerous neglect. It…
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The Depression Treatment Gap affects Millions in South Africa
New modelling suggests South Africa’s depression burden remains large, even as prevalence has edged down slightly over two decades. One important issue is the depression treatment gap, which still affects many living with the condition. Estimates indicate depression among people aged 15 and older fell from about 5.1% in 2002 to 4.5% in 2024. That still translates to more than…
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Health Ombud Findings Expose Patient Safety Failures in Gauteng
South Africa’s Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, has released findings into two separate patient deaths in Tshwane. These findings point to serious breakdowns in safety systems, clinical governance and accountability across both public and private care settings. The first investigation centres on the June 2024 death of 35-year-old psychiatric patient Lerato Mohlamme at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital near Ga-Rankuwa.…
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SA Professional Stress Index: A New Persistent Reality
A new study has revealed a troubling shift in the mental well-being of the nation’s workforce. According to the SA Professional Stress Index, conducted by Profmed, stress is no longer a series of isolated incidents. Instead, for over 4,000 surveyed professionals, it has become a “persistent, multilayered reality”. The report highlights a growing cohort of experts who spend prolonged periods…