In a move heralded as a significant victory for public health, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has upheld a decision. This allows specially trained pharmacists to prescribe HIV treatment and initiate and manage antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) for people living with HIV. The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) stated that the judgment will be instrumental in bridging a significant…
Tag: Public Health
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Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis Threatens Global Health
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a dire warning over the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They revealed that soaring numbers of drug-resistant bacterial infections are severely undermining modern medicine. As a result, millions of lives are at risk globally. In a stark announcement on Monday, the United Nations’ health agency revealed that in 2023, one in six…
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SA’s Life Expectancy Declines as NCDs Surge
In a concerning reversal of global progress, SA’s life expectancy in 2023 was lower than it was over three decades ago, according to a landmark study. The relentless rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and stroke is now actively undermining the country’s historic successes in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This creates a perilous “double burden” for its healthcare…
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Medical Aid Tax Credits Impact on Private Healthcare
The Department of Health is actively collaborating with the National Treasury to establish thresholds for medical aid tax credits. This signals the first concrete steps towards phasing them out to fund the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. While officials insist the initial changes will only affect high-income earners, the move has ignited fierce criticism. It has raised concerns about transparency…
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Surge in Illicit Medicines Threatens Public Health
South Africa is at a critical crossroads in its fight against a rising tide of illicit, substandard, and falsified medicines. These pose a severe threat to public health. The influx is particularly alarming in relation to GLP-1 agonists, the popular class of medicines developed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. In response to this escalating crisis, the South African…
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World Mental Health Day Highlights Urgent Needs
As the world marks Mental Health Awareness Month this October, Africa stands at a critical juncture. With its population set to reach 2.5 billion in the coming decades, the continent faces a deepening mental health crisis. This crisis is chronically underfunded, under-researched, and dangerously overlooked. On this World Mental Health Day, 10th October, it is crucial to examine the scale…
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Poor Sleep Mortality Risk Linked to Irregular Patterns
Individuals who maintain irregular sleep patterns and get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night face a staggering 22% higher poor sleep mortality risk than the general population. This is the landmark finding from new research conducted by South Africa’s largest health and life insurer, Discovery. They analysed data from over 100,000 people. The organisation, a pioneer…
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NHLS Cyberattack: A Decade’s Worst Audit Results
A cyberattack on South Africa’s National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) last year led to its worst audit outcome in over a decade. The Auditor-General issued a disclaimer of opinion on its 2024/2025 financial statements. The NHLS cyberattack exposed deep-seated financial vulnerabilities within the public health body. It is also grappling with a R173.4 million deficit and provincial debt now standing…
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Limpopo Health Budget Under Siege by Legal Claims
The Limpopo Department of Health is teetering on the brink of a financial catastrophe. Actual and potential medico-legal claims necessitate an allocation of an astounding R12.7 billion. This is just under half of its R26.1 billion annual budget. This figure highlights a crisis in the province’s healthcare system. As a result, the provincial government diverts critical funds away from essential…
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African Health Financing Must be Forged in Africa
South Africa’s Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, has warned that Africa must urgently develop self-reliant funding mechanisms for its healthcare sector. This includes implementing taxes on products such as tobacco and alcohol. The continent faces a significant and “distressing decline” in foreign aid. His call highlights the critical need to strengthen African health financing and ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems.…
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Netcare’s mental health services in high demand
Private hospital group Netcare has highlighted a continued and robust demand for mental healthcare services across South Africa. This signals a growing public health concern as more individuals seek help for conditions previously shrouded in stigma. The report comes amidst wider calls for systemic reform to address the nation’s deepening mental health crisis. In a recent trading update, Netcare confirmed…
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Health Funding Solution: Steps by National Treasury
The National Treasury is preparing a new bill. This is a crucial move for the health sector. It will address a severe funding shortfall. The gap is a result of the withdrawal of US donor aid. This withdrawal puts essential health programs at risk. HIV/AIDS services are particularly vulnerable. The government is now proposing a health funding solution. The financial…