South Africa’s massive HIV response has hit a significant roadblock. The country’s leading mathematical tool for tracking HIV trends, the Thembisa model, has released its latest estimates. They reveal that the South African HIV treatment programme recorded its slowest annual growth in two decades. Between 2024 and 2025, the number of people receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) increased by just 40,000.…
Tag: Public Health
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SA’s Missing Middle Faces Growing Healthcare Crisis
South Africa’s healthcare system has long faced a stark divide. An overburdened public sector stands in sharp contrast to a costly private system. However, industry experts warn that the nation’s most urgent challenge is a widening gap between the two. This issue is often referred to as SA’s Missing Middle. The “missing middle” consists of working South Africans who earn…
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Hantavirus Border Screening: South Africa Reviews Protocols
The detection of two hantavirus-linked cases entering South Africa has sparked a critical review of the nation’s Hantavirus Border Screening effectiveness. Following a briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health by Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, MPs are questioning whether current port-of-entry controls can reliably intercept serious infectious threats. The incident stems from an outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise vessel, MV…
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Medical Negligence Claims Drop – But Billions Still At Stake
Payouts by provincial health departments for medical negligence have fallen significantly in recent years. Yet the financial burden on the public health system remains enormous. A landmark court ruling has also closed the door on one proposed solution. According to National Treasury figures, negligence payouts dropped from R1.8 billion in 2019/20 to R1.5 billion in 2023/24. Health Minister Dr Aaron…
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Measles Cases Rise in SA as NICD Flags Adult Immunity Gap
South Africa is seeing a sharp rise in measles infections, even as rubella cases fall. New surveillance data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) show measles cases are increasing across provinces, with signs of ongoing community transmission and a potential immunity gap among older age groups. The NICD said data from 29 December 2025 to 12 April 2026…
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Gauteng Malaria Crisis: Sharp Rise In Infections And Fatalities
Gauteng health authorities have issued an urgent public health alert due to a concerning rise in malaria cases in the province. Officials are describing the current situation as the Gauteng malaria crisis. People and health facilities are being urged to exercise maximum caution. Statistics indicate a concerning increase in both cases and deaths in the first quarter of 2026. Surveillance…
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AI Health Information Risks: Study Highlights Failures
Much of the medical advice provided by free AI chatbots is inaccurate. A study published this week in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) highlights significant concerns regarding the reliability of these tools. Many people now use AI-driven chatbots as search engines. They frequently turn to them for quick health information. However, researchers warn that these tools have potentially dangerous limitations.…
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Gauteng Surgical Backlog Reforms Target 36,000 Waiting List
The Gauteng Department of Health has launched a comprehensive strategy to overhaul surgical waiting times across the province. This initiative specifically addresses the Gauteng surgical backlog, with the public healthcare system grappling with over 30,600 patients awaiting surgery. While the figures are significant, officials maintain that these numbers reflect years of accumulated pressure rather than a sudden breakdown. The system…
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GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Gain Traction In South Africa
South Africa is witnessing the early stages of a significant shift in the healthcare and consumer goods sectors. New data reveal that GLP-1 weight loss medications are beginning to gain a foothold in the local market. While global headlines have been dominated by brands like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, the South African landscape is currently defined by both high potential…
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Nurse Moonlighting Crisis: A Systemic Healthcare Risk
The South African healthcare sector is facing a deepening internal challenge as public sector nurses increasingly engage in unauthorised “moonlighting.” Many professionals are taking extra shifts in the private sector without official approval. This widespread regulatory breach highlights a growing rift between frontline staff and health department leadership. The Financial Drivers of the Nurse Moonlighting Crisis Economic pressure remains the…
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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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SA Mortality Report Highlights Non-Communicable Diseases
The recently released SA Mortality Report highlights that South Africa recorded 476,751 deaths in 2023, down from 492,417 in 2022. The drop continues a steady recovery from the Covid-era shock. In 2021, deaths surged to 623,135 during the pandemic peak. The figures come from Statistics South Africa’s Mortality and Causes of Death report. The data is drawn from the civil…