Bonitas Medical Scheme, one of South Africa’s largest medical aids, manages a R20 billion fund. It is facing explosive allegations of systemic capture following the emergence of a new whistleblower report. A flash drive containing emails, draft contracts, and internal communications allegedly reveals a concerted effort. Senior executives, trustees, and favoured consultants aimed to rig procurement processes and redirect lucrative…
Tag: South Africa
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Medical Tax Credits: A Change in Healthcare Policy
The financial reality of implementing South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) is drawing nearer. The Department of Health confirms it is actively pursuing plans to phase out medical tax credits. This will help fund the ambitious scheme. The initial focus will be on high-income earners, marking the first concrete financial step towards overhauling the nation’s healthcare system. The department is…
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Child Hunger Worsens Despite Improved National Food Security
A troubling paradox has emerged from South Africa’s latest food security data: while the nation’s overall food security shows signs of recovery, the number of households with children experiencing hunger has significantly increased. This trend casts a dark shadow over the country’s progress and highlights a deepening crisis for its most vulnerable citizens. The SA Food Security Index 2025, which…
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HIV Funding Boost Revealed by Health Minister Motsoaledi
South Africa’s vital HIV/AIDS programmes have received a crucial R2 billion lifeline from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The HIV funding boost will be disbursed over the next six months. It will sustain existing services and prevent the collapse of critical health initiatives nationwide. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi made the significant announcement during a…
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Minister Defends Healthcare Amid Neurologist Shortage
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has vehemently rejected accusations that the public healthcare system has collapsed. He defended the healthcare sector amidst criticism, despite confronting staggering statistics on the dire shortage of specialists in the country. The Minister’s defence of healthcare comes in the wake of revelations that the entire province of Limpopo has only one neurologist. This has led to…
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African Philanthropists Must Drive Change in Public Health
The head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has issued a powerful call to action for African philanthropists. He urges them to direct their resources towards health initiatives. These efforts could save millions of lives and transform the continent’s future. Speaking from the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin, Executive Director Peter Sands made…
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Aspen Boosted by Mounjaro: A New Era in Weight Loss
Aspen Pharmacare’s share price saw a notable increase. This followed the announcement that the high-profile diabetes drug, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), has received approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for use as a chronic weight management treatment. Aspen was notably boosted by Mounjaro’s approval, signalling a positive development for the company. The JSE-listed pharmaceutical giant confirmed that SAHPRA…
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Dis-Chem Capitec Partnership Enhances Primary Healthcare
Pharmacy giant Dis-Chem has announced a strategic partnership with Capitec, set to revolutionise how consumers access and pay for healthcare. The collaboration introduces the new “Better Rewards” programme, a data-led initiative that links financial incentives directly to positive health behaviours. Unveiled this week at Dis-Chem’s X.bigly innovation hub in Melrose Arch, the programme replaces the company’s traditional loyalty model. It…
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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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Private Labels Force a Reckoning on Health and Beauty Shelves
Established health and beauty brands are facing an escalating battle for survival. Retailer-owned private labels continue their aggressive expansion, capturing significant market share and fundamentally altering consumer purchasing habits. A new report from research firm Trade Intelligence reveals a decisive shift in the sector. Competitive pricing and rising shopper trust are propelling store brands to the forefront. Private Label Retailer…
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RAF Insolvent with R27.8 Billion Deficit Woes
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is insolvent, with a R27.8 billion accumulated deficit, decades-old claims backlogs, and severe governance failures, Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has heard. The fund’s leadership and the Auditor-General have acknowledged the RAF’s insolvent state. They painted a grim picture of an entity in deep operational and financial crisis. RAF officials confirmed to the…