A new screening approach being developed by scientists in China and the UK could change how colorectal cancer is detected, especially in health systems with limited access to colonoscopy. The innovation is a Non-Invasive Colon Cancer Test that analyses volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the vapour trapped above bowel faeces. The aim is simple. Identify higher-risk patients quickly, then prioritise…
Tag: South Africa
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SA Mortality Report Highlights Non-Communicable Diseases
The recently released SA Mortality Report highlights that South Africa recorded 476,751 deaths in 2023, down from 492,417 in 2022. The drop continues a steady recovery from the Covid-era shock. In 2021, deaths surged to 623,135 during the pandemic peak. The figures come from Statistics South Africa’s Mortality and Causes of Death report. The data is drawn from the civil…
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HPV Vaccination: School Vaccination Programme Cuts Risk
South Africa’s HPV vaccination drive is delivering measurable protection for teenagers, including those who later acquire HIV. New research led by scientists at Wits University shows the country’s school-based programme is sharply reducing infections with the two highest-risk HPV strains linked to cervical cancer. The vaccine used in the public programme targets HPV-16 and HPV-18, the strains responsible for around…
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Momentum Bonitas Deal Lifts Market Share To 30%
The Momentum Bonitas deal is set to reshape South Africa’s tightly concentrated medical scheme administration market. This follows Momentum Health winning the tender to administer the Bonitas Medical Fund. The transfer takes effect on 1 June 2026. It is being positioned by Momentum as a springboard for further growth in a sector dominated by a handful of large players. Momentum’s…
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Parmed Membership: MPs Push To End Compulsory Cover
The debate over political perks has shifted to medical aid. ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape is lobbying to end compulsory membership of the Parmed medical scheme for MPs and other office-bearers. He argues that elected officials should be able to choose their own scheme. They should also be allowed to opt out entirely. Parmed is a restricted medical scheme. It is…
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Medical Aid Forensic Audits: UP Study Flags Physiotherapist Harm
Physiotherapists say medical aid forensic audits are leaving them “fearful, stigmatised and traumatised”, according to new research from the University of Pretoria (UP). The study suggests that processes meant to protect patients’ money may be causing serious harm to practitioners and destabilising private practices. Lesley Meyer, an extraordinary lecturer in UP’s department of physiotherapy, led a study recently published in…
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SA Professional Stress Index: A New Persistent Reality
A new study has revealed a troubling shift in the mental well-being of the nation’s workforce. According to the SA Professional Stress Index, conducted by Profmed, stress is no longer a series of isolated incidents. Instead, for over 4,000 surveyed professionals, it has become a “persistent, multilayered reality”. The report highlights a growing cohort of experts who spend prolonged periods…
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African Health Funding Shift: Nonprofits Battle Aid Declines
In East London, Lesley-Ann Foster is packing away decades of patient records. Her nonprofit, Masimanyane Women’s Rights International, is facing a crisis. This situation is becoming common across the continent. A massive shift in African health funding is fundamentally changing how medical services are delivered to the most vulnerable. For thirty years, Masimanyane provided a lifeline for survivors of sexual…
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NHI Act Implementation: Addressing Healthcare Gaps
The legal journey of the National Health Insurance (NHI) has hit a significant pause. Following a High Court order, the South African government has agreed to halt the proclamation and implementation of the Act. This suspension will remain in place until the Constitutional Court rules on challenges regarding public participation. While the delay is legally rooted, it highlights a deeper…
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GEMS Contribution Increases Spark Talks With Unions
GEMS is currently the largest restricted medical scheme in South Africa. It serves nearly 2.45 million beneficiaries. Membership is strictly limited to public servants and their dependants. To encourage membership, government departments provide subsidies of up to two-thirds of the monthly cost. However, this benefit is only available to those who remain with GEMS. The current conflict stems from GEMS’…
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NHI Corruption Risks Heightened By Home Affairs Scandal, Arrests
The integrity of South Africa’s future healthcare system is under intense scrutiny. Recent investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have exposed deep-seated rot within the Department of Home Affairs. These findings provide a grim reminder of the systemic challenges facing South African governance. For the healthcare industry, these revelations are particularly troubling, highlighting the risks of NHI corruption. They…
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AfroCentric Results Show Revenue Surged Significantly
AfroCentric Investment Corporation has released its financial results for the year ending December. The JSE-listed healthcare giant reported a massive spike in revenue. However, the group also faced a significant basic loss. This was primarily due to heavy asset impairments and strategic business disposals. Massive Revenue Growth For AfroCentric The group’s continuing operations showed exceptional top-line growth. Total revenue climbed…