July 26
South Africa: Childhood Vaccine Coverage in South Africa Declined in 2023 - WHO Report
New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF show that globally childhood immunisation coverage stalled in 2023, while in South Africa it decreased. Elri Voigt… Read more »
July 25
South Africa: Medicines Stockouts Persist in North West As Tide Turns Slowly
Despite some improvement over the past three years, the North West province continues to experience medicine shortages, according to a survey by a community clinic monitoring… Read more »
July 18
South Africa: Walking With 'Nomakhayas' - How the Bulungula Incubator Is Creating Change in Wild Coast Communities
An innovative health programme is thriving and making a difference in the lives of people in rural Eastern Cape communities. Sue Segar spent time with the project, walking with… Read more »
July 17
South Africa: 'We Were the First Ones to Do It' - Innovative Study Takes TB Tests to Homes
Most tuberculosis (TB) tests still require a trip to the clinic. Now, new technology has made it possible to test people at home. This could be a big deal for South Africa, where… Read more »
July 15
South Africa: Questions Over New Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, but Stakeholders Willing to Give Her a Chance
The deployment of the relatively unknown Dieketseng Mashego as Limpopo's new MEC for health has raised eyebrows. Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her appointment. Read more »
July 11
South Africa: How 'NHI On Wheels' Is Making a Difference to Young People in the Eastern Cape
The Keready project uses mobile clinics to take healthcare services to rural areas. Sue Segar spent time with the project as they took eye, dental, and other healthcare services to… Read more »
July 10
South Africa: New North West Health MEC Sello Lehari Vows to Prioritise NHI
Sello Lehari is the newly-appointed MEC for health in the North West province. Critics have doubts about his deployment while healthcare unions stand ready with several items for… Read more »
July 09
South Africa: Codeine Addiction in SA - New Guideline Aims to Curb Abuse
Rehab centres in South Africa have been admitting an increasing number of codeine users in recent years. Now, the country's medicines regulator has published a draft guideline as… Read more »
July 08
South Africa: Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko's Comeback As Gauteng MEC for Health Sparks Mixed Reactions
ANC support in Gauteng dipped below 40% in the recent provincial elections and an ANC-led minority government is now at the helm. Among those in Premier Panyaza Lesufi's new… Read more »
July 04
South Africa: Of South Africa's Nine Health MECs, Five Are New
Following South Africa's 2024 national and provincial elections, the decisions about the top health jobs in the country's nine provinces have now all been made. Elri Voigt rounds… Read more »
July 03
South Africa: Motsoaledi's Return Could Work, but He Needs a DG Who Can Say 'No Minister'
In some respects, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi was the right person for the job when he was appointed as South Africa's Minister of Health in 2009. But in 2024, the healthcare context in… Read more »
July 01
South Africa: Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot Succeeds in Pivotal Trial, but Questions Loom Over Future Access
An HIV prevention injection that provides six months of protection per shot has been shown to be highly effective in a pivotal trial largely conducted in South Africa. There are… Read more »
June 27
South Africa: Cutting Edge Robotic Surgery - Beacons of Excellence At Two Cape Town Public Hospitals
Within South Africa's beleaguered public health sector - unsettled by budget cuts, understaffing, and divisive NHI legislation - cutting edge surgical robots that have been used to… Read more »
June 26
South Africa: From Union Leader to MEC - Free State's New Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi Makes Big Promises
A trade unionist who spent years fighting for the rights of workers, the Free State's new health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi now finds himself on the other side of the table where he… Read more »
June 25
South Africa: New Eastern Cape Health MEC Thandokazi Capa Promises Improvement, but Critics Concerned Over Her Lack of Experience
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has appointed Thandokazi Capa as the province's new MEC for Health. Luvuyo Mehlwana asked Capa about her vision for healthcare in the province… Read more »
June 19
South Africa: HPV Vaccination Switching to Single-Dose and Private Schools to Get Government Supply
A decade into South Africa's HPV vaccination programme, the health department is switching from a two-dose to a single dose vaccine regimen and girls in private schools are set to… Read more »
June 13
South Africa: Why Affirming Treatment for Gender Questioning Youth Matters in South Africa
Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth has sparked intense debate globally. In South Africa, we need to significantly improve accessibility throughout the country,… Read more »
June 12
South Africa: Criminalisation of Medical Errors - What Are the Issues?
The South African Medical Association has for years raised concerns about the criminalisation of medical errors, stressing that current legal practices may undermine patient safety… Read more »
June 11
South Africa: HIV Prevention Injections Exist, but Hardly Anyone Can Get Them
HIV prevention injections have been registered for use in South Africa, but their high price and limited supply means that for the next few years, while awaiting more affordable… Read more »
June 10
South Africa: The Health Minister South Africa Needs - Astute Politician, Inspired Leader, Humble and Fair
By month end, South Africa will have a new Minister of Health. Ufrieda Ho asked some academics and activists what qualities that person should have to tackle the key health issues… Read more »
June 07
South Africa: Open Letter | Minister of Health Joe Phaahla, Make TB a Political Priority
In this open letter to Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla, TB activists call for the disease to be made a political priority and demand multisectoral departmental accountability.… Read more »
June 06
South Africa: Slow Progress After Decision to Make TB Prevention Pills More Widely Available
Besides preventing illness and death, tuberculosis prevention therapy is estimated to be highly cost effective. Yet, uptake of the medication is not what it could be in South… Read more »
June 05
South Africa: More Uproar At Zithulele Hospital As Senior Doctor Is Moved
A senior doctor who worked at Zithulele Hospital in the Eastern Cape for close to a decade has been instructed to report to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha. Some… Read more »
June 04
South Africa: Who Will Be SA's Minister of Health in the New Cabinet?
After the ANC received less than 41% of the votes in last week's national elections, negotiations are now underway that will determine how and by who South Africa is governed.… Read more »
June 03
South Africa: At the Heart of the NHI Lies Fairness - Outgoing Chair of Parliament's Health Committee Defends Record
The chairperson of the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Health Dr Kenneth Jacobs played a pivotal role in deliberations on the National Health Insurance Bill. Spotlight's… Read more »
spotlight (Cape Town)
Website: https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/
