The shocking state of South Africa’s public hospitals has once again been thrust into the spotlight with damning reports on conditions at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Helen Joseph Hospital in Gauteng. These institutions, meant to serve the most vulnerable, are instead plagued by neglect, underfunding, and infrastructure collapse. In March 2023, then-health ombud Malegapuru Makgoba released a…
Tag: South Africa
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First NHI draft regulations released by Health Minister
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has taken a significant step towards implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act by publishing the first draft regulations. These regulations focus on Section 55 of the Act, detailing the governance structure and processes of the NHI Fund, a cornerstone of the ANC’s ambitious plan for universal health coverage. While the Act has yet to be…
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Discovery launches AI-Powered Personal Health Pathways
Discovery has unveiled its innovative Personal Health Pathways (PHP) programme, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalised health actions for its 2.1 million adult members. This initiative aims to address the escalating challenge of medical inflation while promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing healthcare costs. PHP utilises behavioural data, real-time health and spending information, and predictive analytics to tailor health recommendations…
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Unplaced doctors and overwork plague the health system
Within the walls of South Africa’s public hospitals, an unseen struggle unfolds daily. This reveals a healthcare system burdened by persistent challenges and standing at a critical juncture. A collaborative, systemic approach is essential to ensure its survival for millions of South Africans. Central to this crisis is the stark inequality in access to healthcare. While newly qualified doctors graduate…
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Health Minister addresses funding gap after USAID cuts
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has acknowledged that the South African government cannot entirely compensate for the funding gap left by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) following the termination of USAID-funded health programmes by President Donald Trump’s administration. The sudden funding halt has impacted the supply of life-saving drugs for HIV, malaria, and TB, as well as…
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Discovery reports a 34% increase in first-half earnings
Discovery has revealed a robust 34% increase in its first-half headline earnings, showcasing its strong growth trajectory. This surge is primarily attributed to the exceptional performance of its South African health insurance division and the globally recognised Vitality programme. Key Financial Highlights: Headline Earnings: Increased by 34% to R4.35 billion (£234 million) for the six months ending December, rising from…
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Global fund affirms commitment to lenacapavir rollout
The Global Fund for HIV, TB, and Malaria has reaffirmed its commitment to rolling out the twice-yearly HIV prevention jab, lenacapavir, in lower-income countries, including South Africa. This initiative will continue with or without the support of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), which recently encountered funding disruptions during President Donald Trump’s term. According to Global Fund…
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Impact of Food Insecurity on Obesity Rates in South Africa
South Africa has the highest obesity rate in Africa, with half of all adults classified as overweight or obese—68% of women and 38% of men. Shockingly, nearly 70% of obese adults live in food-insecure households, relying on cheap, energy-dense, yet nutrient-poor foods. As the world marked World Obesity Day this week, the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) warned…
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Competition Commission probes insulin price fixing
The Competition Commission in South Africa has launched a formal investigation into leading insulin manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis following serious allegations of anti-competitive conduct. The inquiry was initiated after health activists complained about Novo Nordisk’s decision to cease supplying human insulin pens to the country’s Health Department in 2024. This move has forced thousands of diabetic patients to…
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Trump’s USAID cuts threaten SA’s HIV/AIDS progress
In a devastating move for South Africa’s healthcare sector, former US President Donald Trump rescinded all USAID grants supporting HIV/AIDS programs in the country. The decision, announced on Thursday, has put thousands of healthcare jobs at risk and threatens the progress made in battling the epidemic. Health activists warn that the cuts could reverse years of hard-won gains, leaving vulnerable…
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Lenacapavir injection: The new frontier in HIV prevention
At the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) in Peru, groundbreaking data on the lenacapavir injection revealed its remarkable efficacy in HIV prevention. With a single injection every six months, the drug completely halted new HIV infections among women and girls. It achieved a 96% risk reduction for other gender-diverse individuals aged 16 and up. Despite lenacapavir’s transformative potential,…
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56,000 South Africans succumbed to tuberculosis in 2023
An estimated 1.25 million people worldwide and 56,000 in South Africa succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in 2023, according to recent WHO figures. These alarming statistics place TB above COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer globally. Marcus Low analyzes these findings, examining TB’s persistent toll in South Africa and the WHO’s goals to reduce both TB incidence and mortality. TB…