The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) expects its financial reserves to be severely strained over the next 18 months. According to newly updated internal projections, the GEMS Solvency Ratio is highly likely to plunge below the statutory minimum requirement of 25%. This may occur by the end of 2026. This looming regulatory non-compliance comes after the scheme’s management capitulated to…
Tag: Public Sector Health
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George Mukhari Patient Death Exposes System Failures
South Africa’s public mental health system is back in the spotlight after the Health Ombud released findings into the George Mukhari Hospital death of 35-year-old Lerato Mohlamme, a psychiatric patient. She died from burn injuries after a fire at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in June 2024. The report paints a picture of routine cruelty and dangerous neglect. It…
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2026 Healthcare Watchlist: Nine Healthcare Stories to Track
Twenty-twenty-six is shaping up as a year of sharp policy fights, fast-moving science, and stubborn system failures. Spotlight’s 2026 Healthcare Watchlist will track nine stories that could shift budgets, reshape services, and test public trust. A limited rollout of a new HIV prevention injection could be a turning point for prevention options. Weight-loss medicines are evolving rapidly, with new oral…