The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) announced that it would require President Cyril Ramaphosa to disclose his records to determine whether he adhered to all legal requirements before signing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law. This announcement comes amid escalating opposition to the contentious legislation. The NHI Act, which aims to establish universal health coverage for all South…
Tag: Public Health
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HIV programmes: The impact of funding US cuts
South Africa is on the brink of a severe health crisis, possibly more harmful than the COVID-19 pandemic, due to significant cuts in US funding for HIV programmes. The almost complete withdrawal of Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) funding threatens to reverse years of progress in managing the HIV epidemic, potentially causing a spike in infections and a…
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Impact of Food Insecurity on Obesity Rates in South Africa
South Africa has the highest obesity rate in Africa, with half of all adults classified as overweight or obese—68% of women and 38% of men. Shockingly, nearly 70% of obese adults live in food-insecure households, relying on cheap, energy-dense, yet nutrient-poor foods. As the world marked World Obesity Day this week, the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) warned…
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Trump’s USAID cuts threaten SA’s HIV/AIDS progress
In a devastating move for South Africa’s healthcare sector, former US President Donald Trump rescinded all USAID grants supporting HIV/AIDS programs in the country. The decision, announced on Thursday, has put thousands of healthcare jobs at risk and threatens the progress made in battling the epidemic. Health activists warn that the cuts could reverse years of hard-won gains, leaving vulnerable…
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PIC’s possible role in public financing health Infrastructure
The Department of Health and National Treasury are discussing potentially leveraging South Africa’s R2.3-trillion savings pool to upgrade public health infrastructure. This is part of the department’s preparation for implementing National Health Insurance (NHI). The Department of Health is working to address infrastructure challenges that could impact its rollout. The focus is on finding sustainable funding sources, with the Public…
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56,000 South Africans succumbed to tuberculosis in 2023
An estimated 1.25 million people worldwide and 56,000 in South Africa succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in 2023, according to recent WHO figures. These alarming statistics place TB above COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer globally. Marcus Low analyzes these findings, examining TB’s persistent toll in South Africa and the WHO’s goals to reduce both TB incidence and mortality. TB…
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Godongwana blames provinces for healthcare staffing crisis
In his medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana attributed South Africa’s healthcare staffing shortages to the provinces’ failure to ensure that the Treasury’s allocated funds reached frontline healthcare workers. According to Godongwana, South Africa’s fiscal system allows provinces flexibility in managing funds under the provincial equitable share, which has led to disparities in budget allocations and impacted…
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Concerns arise over R836m oxygen plant roll-out
The Department of Health’s (DoH) R836 million oxygen plant installation project for 55 government hospitals is under scrutiny due to the appointment of Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd. Despite its questionable background, project overseer Independent Development Trust (IDT) awarded Bulkeng a R428 million contract, raising comparisons to the Digital Vibes scandal. Bulkeng, a company with limited experience in medical technology, lacks SAHPRA…
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RHAP advocates for higher ‘sin’ taxes
The Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) has launched a powerful campaign calling for increased taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco products. This movement, backed by a coalition of health tax advocates, seeks to reduce the consumption of harmful products and alleviate the financial pressure on South Africa’s public health system. Last week, RHAP brought together an alliance of health…
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Trust in doctors fades in the digital age
Once revered as trusted authorities, medical doctors face a new challenge in the form of health influencers. With the rise of digital platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, these influencers are reshaping how people seek medical advice and health information. As more influencers leverage their expertise for financial gain, traditional trust in doctors is fading. Health influencers, such as…