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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

South Africa: A New Breed - the Thinking Behind Building a New Medical School in North West Province

Nthusang Lefafa speaks to public health experts to find out how a new medical school at North West University will do things differently. Read more »

South Africa: HIV Treatment for Kids Has Improved and There Is More to Come, Says Dr Moherndran Archary

Dr Moherndran Archary's research has helped shape South African health policy, most notably the rollout of better HIV treatments for children and babies. Spotlight's Biénne… Read more »

South Africa: #vote4health | Opposition Parties Promise to Resolve Healthcare Understaffing. Do They Have the Right Solutions?

Several political parties have pledged to plug shortages of healthcare staff at government hospitals and clinics by training more health workers. They're right to be concerned with… Read more »

South Africa: What Parties Are Putting On the Table for Healthcare in the Eastern Cape

Spotlight reached out to different political parties in the Eastern Cape to get their perspectives on how they plan to jack up healthcare in a province where thousands of people… Read more »

South Africa: Let's Be Pragmatic - the NHI Has Constructive and Contentious Aspects

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the NHI Bill into law. The question is whether this will bring South Africa closer towards Universal Health Coverage. Professor Susan… Read more »

South Africa: Several Political Parties Dodge Questions On How They Plan to Improve Health in Gauteng

What is at stake in South Africa's upcoming provincial elections when it comes to healthcare? Ufrieda Ho put questions to five political parties about their plans to get Gauteng… Read more »

South Africa: #vote4health | What 10 Political Parties Have to Say On Spotlight's Top 7 Health Questions

Healthcare is an issue that at some point touches everyone in South Africa. It is also an issue that will impact who people vote for on the 29th of May. To help voters understand… Read more »

South Africa: A Humanist With an Unblinking Gaze - Professor Ntobeko Ntusi Takes the Hot-Seat At the South African Medical Research Council

Professor Ntobeko Ntusi may be soft-spoken, but he is not afraid to stand by his strongly held views. As he is set to take up the hot-seat at the country's primary health research… Read more »

South Africa: Three Health Reforms the New South African Government Must Prioritise

To drum up support as South Africans head to the polls, President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly vowed to "end the apartheid that remains in healthcare" when he hit the campaign trail.… Read more »

South Africa: Codeine Misuse - South Africa Set to Get New Guidelines

In response to high levels of codeine abuse in South Africa, health authorities have been developing a plan to track the supply of the drug from manufacturers all the way to… Read more »