Across Botswana, patients are growing used to a sentence that lands like a warning. “Ga gona molemo.” Your medication is out of stock. For mothers at clinics, elderly patients and people living with chronic illness, the phrase signals more than inconvenience. It means interrupted treatment, rising anxiety and, in some cases, worsening health. Health experts and former officials say the…
Tag: Public Health
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Hospital-Acquired Infections Lack National Tracking
South Africa lacks a national database to track hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), leaving a critical gap in patient safety and infection control. Health experts warn that the absence of systematic surveillance allows preventable infections and deaths to go unnoticed, particularly among vulnerable groups such as newborns and mothers. A 2024 study, The Burden of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI) in Sub-Saharan Africa, revealed…
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Treasury Threatens Health Departments with Takeover
The National Treasury is poised to take drastic action against four provincial health departments, threatening a national takeover following reports of gross financial mismanagement and collapsing service delivery. Treasury will demand fiscal accountability from Health MECs in four key provinces. This forthcoming ultimatum forces KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Gauteng, and the Northern Cape to provide immediate recovery plans or yield…
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Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention: South Africa’s New Shield
As climate change accelerates the spread of pathogens worldwide, South Africa is positioning itself as a frontline defender of global health security. The nation is significantly enhancing its world-class bio-surveillance capabilities. Central to this strategy is the establishment of a new, high-tech institute: the Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (IP3) initiative. This collaborative powerhouse is partially funded by the Department of…
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Generic Lenacapavir Manufacturing: SA’s Bold 2027 Strategy
The South African government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to secure the future of HIV prevention. By 2027, the state intends to facilitate generic Lenacapavir manufacturing within its borders. This move aims to address a critical supply deficit of the game-changing, twice-yearly injectable. Lenacapavir (LEN) is a potent pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) agent. It was registered in South Africa in October…
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HIV Treatment Retention: South Africa’s Plan for 1.1m Patients
South Africa’s globally acclaimed response to the HIV epidemic has hit a critical “stubborn and painful” hurdle. While the nation has made massive strides in diagnosis and viral suppression, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has warned that HIV treatment retention is now the primary threat to the country’s healthcare sustainability. The Department of Health reports that 1.1 million patients stopped attending…
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Illegal weight loss injections: The rising black market crisis
The quest for rapid weight loss in South Africa has birthed a dangerous shadow economy. For many, acquiring potent GLP-1 agonists no longer requires a clinical consultation. Instead, it involves a few WhatsApp messages and a payment to a stranger. This burgeoning trade in illegal weight loss injections highlights a desperate intersection of public health needs and economic barriers. As…
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SA Teen Pregnancy Statistics Reveal 2,103 Births to Girls 10-14
New demographic data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has highlighted a critical area of concern for public health officials and social workers alike. According to the latest SA teen pregnancy statistics, South Africa recorded 2,103 births to girls aged 10-14 in 2024. This data, derived from birth registrations received from the Department of Home Affairs, underscores the persistent…
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AIDS-Related Deaths 2024: The Last Mile
Despite fading from the forefront of the global news cycle, the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to exact a heavy toll on South Africa’s healthcare system and economy. According to the latest estimates, 53,000 people died of AIDS-related complications in South Africa in 2024. While the country has made commendable strides over the past two decades – most notably by enrolling approximately…
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Digital Primary Healthcare in Africa: Building Resilience
The recent decision by major donor countries to reduce global health funding has sent shockwaves through sub-Saharan Africa. The consequences of stop-work orders issued in January 2025 have already impacted HIV programmes and other critical health responses. However, this crisis presents a vital opportunity for African nations to take greater ownership of their health systems. It can be done by…
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Long-acting Injectable PrEP: Transforming HIV Strategies
South Africa is currently bracing for the most significant paradigm shift in its HIV response in over a decade. The national health authority has officially approved long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). There are plans to roll it out across the public sector in the coming year. For public health advocates, this development represents a potential turning point for prevention. It…