South Africa is recording a steady rise in cancer diagnoses, with more than 100,000 new cases reported each year. An ageing population is a major driver. Lifestyle risks are adding to the trend. That growing burden is falling on a health system already under pressure in both public and private care. A less visible threat is also building. South Africa’s…
Tag: public health system
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Medical Tax Credits: Schemes Urge Godongwana for Budget Boost
South Africa’s two biggest industry bodies for medical schemes are urging Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to keep medical tax credits in place and increase their value in the upcoming Budget. They argue the credits are critical to keep private cover affordable for working families, especially as costs rise. The call comes as the health department pushes to phase out medical…
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NHI Truce Talks: Godongwana Pushes Settlement On NHI
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) debate may finally be shifting from courtroom combat to negotiation. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has called for the parties litigating against the NHI Act to declare a truce and work towards a settlement. The message is simple. Years of fighting over the policy have drained attention from the daily job of fixing a strained…
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NHLS Cancer Test Outsourcing Hits R116m As Backlog Cleared
South Africa’s National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) spent approximately R116 million between June and November 2025 to outsource cancer pathology tests to private providers. The emergency measure came in response to a national outcry over dangerous delays in public diagnostic services. NHLS Cancer Test Outsourcing Clears Critical Backlog The crisis intensified at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), where…
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Balancing act: Medical scheme tax credits in South Africa
Medical scheme tax credits are vital for sustaining South Africa’s dual healthcare system, providing essential financial relief to millions of working-class citizens. In his recent budget speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that these tax credits will remain in place – an important policy decision welcomed by healthcare experts and funders. Thoneshan Naidoo, CEO of the Health Funders Association (HFA),…