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…
Tag: South Africa healthcare
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NHI Design Should Take Lessons From China’s Layered Model
Public debates often simplify complex issues. The discussion surrounding South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) provides a prime example. While roleplayers often ask the public to support or oppose the plan, this binary framing misses the reform’s fundamental point. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is not the point of contention. South Africa has already settled that goal. The Constitution grounds this…
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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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Intercare CEO Hendri Hanekom to Lead Strategic Expansion
Intercare, a private healthcare provider, has announced its first leadership transition in 25 years. The company has appointed Hendri Hanekom as the new CEO, effective from 1 April. Hanekom is a veteran of the organisation. He has spent nearly 18 years with the company. His journey is a testament to internal growth and dedication. He began his career in entry-level…
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Charlotte Maxeke Cardiac Crisis: Alleged Failures at Major Hospital
Tensions reached a breaking point on Tuesday following a briefing by the Democratic Alliance (DA) regarding heart surgery outcomes at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). The Charlotte Maxeke Cardiac Crisis was highlighted as the party alleged a severe collapse in surgical safety. Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Health insists that patient outcomes have significantly improved over the last two…
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Momentum Bonitas Deal Impacts Medical Aid Landscape
Momentum’s latest results point to a group that is gaining confidence in a tough insurance market. The standout move is operational, not financial. The Momentum Bonitas Deal means that, from June, Momentum will become the administrator of Bonitas, South Africa’s second-largest open medical aid scheme. It is described as the biggest medical scheme transfer in the country to date. This…
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AI Health Prompts Drive Earlier Cancer Detection at Discovery
Discovery Life says AI-driven health prompts are helping clients detect serious illness earlier, including cancer. The insurer shared the update to highlight how incentives and personalised recommendations can shift health behaviour. Discovery Life, part of JSE-listed Discovery, has long linked rewards to healthy choices through its Vitality programme. Now it is expanding that approach with AI-led prompts. The insurer has…
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HIV Prevention Shot Lenacapavir: Aspen Warns of Demand Risks
South Africa’s leading generic drug manufacturer, Aspen Pharmacare, has issued a stark warning regarding the local production of a breakthrough medical treatment. The company asserts that local firms require guaranteed demand to manufacture the HIV prevention shot lenacapavir sustainably. South Africa was notably absent from the initial round of voluntary licences. In 2024, the patent holder, Gilead Sciences, awarded licences…
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Afrigen Business Rescue: Cape Town Biotech Firm Seeks Investors
The Cape Town-based biotechnology firm, Afrigen Biologics, has officially entered business rescue. This move follows the financial collapse of the Avacare group, which holds a 51% majority stake in the company. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) holds the remaining 49% share. Afrigen gained international acclaim in 2022. It successfully developed an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine using publicly available data from Moderna.…
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Dis-Chem MyHealth Partnership Defends Retail-Led Cover
Dis-Chem has defended its health insurance partnership with Centriq and Kaelo after a ruling by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). The pharmacy retailer says the decision clarifies the process. It argues it is not a warning shot against retail-led healthcare models. The CMS found that changes to the branding and presentation of Centriq’s MyHealth insurance products under the Dis-Chem…
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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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Discovery Health Claims Reversal follows member outcry
Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) has reversed its controversial decision regarding claims overpayments. The administrator will now cover the costs after sustained member outcry and mounting public pressure. This marks a significant shift in strategy. The provision protects members on the scheme’s high-end plans Impact of Discovery Health Claims Processing Errors The issue centres on a processing mistake. This error…