June 26, 2023
South Africa: The Redistribution Lens of the NHI Undermines the Objective of Universal Healthcare Coverage
The NHI will not achieve universal healthcare despite its strong moral foundation. In its current iteration, it is about finances rather than health services. And for all the talk… Read more »
June 21, 2023
South Africa: Experts Stress Importance of Vaccinating Children in Wake of Measles, Mumps and Diphtheria Outbreaks
In recent months, there have been outbreaks in South Africa of vaccine-preventable diseases including measles, mumps and diphtheria. Read more »
June 20, 2023
South Africa: Simplest Solution to Cholera Crisis Is Fixing Our Broken Sewerage Systems
What we learn from the history of cholera is that resistance to implementing fundamental human health management practices, first learnt in London in the 1800s, costs human lives. Read more »
June 14, 2023
South Africa: Origins of Opposition to NHI Are Rooted in Bigger Problems of Trust and Competence
A legitimate concern about the proposed National Health Insurance is the almost complete lack of trust in the state-government-elite axis to manage effectively anything more than… Read more »
South Africa: National Health Insurance Roll-Out One Step Closer, but Private Healthcare Has Burning Questions
Implementation will require significant investment in the health system as well as a phased approach to ensure that it is rolled out in a sustainable and effective manner. Read more »
June 13, 2023
South Africa: National Health Insurance Bill Passed in Parliament, Faces Likely Litigation
Opposition parties flagged as worrying the vast ministerial powers, potential for corruption and public health facilities' general unreadiness, in rejecting the National Health… Read more »
June 07, 2023
South Africa: Top Scientists Present Action Plan to Fight Nationwide Cholera Outbreak
The Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies says the loss of lives to cholera in Hammanskraal is symptomatic of a widening collapse of water treatment facilities that could… Read more »
South Africa: Water Pressure Restored At Helen Joseph Hospital but Senior Clinician Voices Healthcare Concerns
The water supply at the hospital in Johannesburg has been resorted following low water pressure since Thursday, 1 June. A senior clinician at the hospital described the situation… Read more »
May 28, 2023
South Africa: Ramaphosa 'Satisfied' With Govt Response to Cholera Outbreak, Vows to Visit Hammanskraal
A government investigation is yet to find the source of contaminated water, while 23 people have lost their lives and dozens have been hospitalised. Read more »
May 18, 2023
Kenya: Criminal Syndicates Launder Hundreds of Millions From Stolen U.S. Covid-19 Funds
The case exposes weaknesses in Kenya's investigation and prosecution of illicit financial flows, especially in the real estate sector. Read more »
May 25, 2023
South Africa: Cholera Toll Rises Amid Calls for Swift Action and Less Finger-Pointing
The death toll from an outbreak of cholera in Gauteng has risen to 21, with another death being recorded in the Free State. The question now being asked is how does the government… Read more »
South Africa: Former Gauteng Premier Denies He Was Part of Decision to End Contract With Healthcare Provider
The much-anticipated testimony by former Gauteng premier David Makhura took place on Wednesday where he vehemently denied having been part of the decision to terminate the Life… Read more »
May 22, 2023
South Africa: Cholera Death Toll in Hammanskraal Rises to 15 As Probe Yet to Find Source of Contaminated Water
The cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal has claimed 15 lives and 34 others have been admitted to the Jubilee District Hospital, where a command centre has been activated. Read more »
South Africa: What You Need to Know About Cholera and the Spread of Infectious Sicknesses
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases is investigating the source of a 'diarrhoeal disease' outbreak in the City of Tshwane's Region 2, which includes Hammanskraal.… Read more »
May 21, 2023
South Africa: Cholera in Hammanskraal - SA Government Must Pay and Be Accountable
The South African government and the City of Tshwane must face a class action for the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal and surrounds, which is the result of a decade-long water… Read more »
South Africa: City of Tshwane Awaits Tests From NICD After Outbreak of Diarrhoeal Disease in Hammanskraal
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is said to be investigating the source of the 'diarrhoeal disease' outbreak in the City of Tshwane's Region 2, which… Read more »
South Africa: Health Minister Calls for Vigilance After Two Cases of Contagious Diphtheria Confirmed
The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has called for vigilance after two cases of an uncommon but highly contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection,… Read more »
May 18, 2023
South Africa: Washington Sours On the ANC, Threatening Trade & Aid
South Africa's ambassador to Washington, Nomaindia Mfeketo, has been missing in action for more than two months through this crisis. She is on sick leave. And the view in… Read more »
May 07, 2023
South Africa: Twenty-Nine Pregnant Women Evacuated From Overwhelmed Hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay
The women had to be evacuated from Nelson Mandela Bay's specialist maternity unit at Dora Nginza Hospital as medical teams battled severe overcrowding and rolling blackouts. Read more »
April 24, 2023
South Africa: We Must Question How Govt's Promised Financial Hike for TB Programmes Will Be Managed
South Africa's new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs 2023-2028 and the country's TB Recovery Plan necessitate a sharp increase in TB testing and increased enrolment… Read more »
South Africa: Struggle for Migrant Health Rights Still Far From Over After Landmark Judgment
In a landmark decision the Gauteng High Court recently confirmed the rights of all pregnant and lactating women and children under six to access services for free at all levels of… Read more »
April 17, 2023
South Africa: KZN Schools Send Hungry Pupils Home As National School Nutrition Programme Fails to Deliver
KwaZulu-Natal schools resorted to sending learners home ahead of time, with many children having had nothing to eat. Read more »
April 05, 2023
South Africa: Grave Warnings From Snakebite Experts As Minister of Health Is Asked to Intervene in Antivenom Crisis
Trauma specialists, snakebite experts and emergency responders have asked the minister of health, Dr Joe Phaahla, to intervene in the ongoing snakebite antivenom crisis in South… Read more »
April 02, 2023
South Africa: Nationwide Snake Antivenom Stockpile Shortage an 'Absolute Catastrophe' - Reptile Expert
Amid a frantic scramble for snake antivenom in South Africa, snake bite victims are receiving half the prescribed dose - that's if they're lucky to be treated at all. Desperate… Read more »
March 26, 2023
Africa: What You Should Know About the Shroom Boom and the Potential Psychedelic Shift in Mental Healthcare
Frontier research is generating strong evidence to suggest that many psychedelics have the potential to treat numerous mental health and substance-use disorders. Several of these… Read more »