No clear government plan yet to confront US aid cuts

No clear government plan yet to confront US aid cuts

South Africa’s National Department of Health is still to outline a clear contingency plan as a US funding freeze puts lives at risk, spells job losses, and presents threats to keeping HIV and TB under control. Ufrieda Ho reports.

Read More

Latest

Over 15 000 South African health workers’ jobs are at risk as US cuts aid

A coalition of health service organisations has warned that patients will lose access to life-saving treatment if the US withdraws health funding to South Africa. Certain HIV and TB-related health services are continuing for now under a limited waiver. But the waiver has failed to cover organisations that provide services, including HIV care, specifically to LGBTI people and people who inject drugs. Two PEPFAR-funded harm reduction centres have already closed their doors, as have health service organisations that support LGBTI people.

Read More

Read more

SA health research facing catastrophic financing cuts

Cuts to United States funding of health research could have “catastrophic” consequences, says Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, who is at the helm of the country’s primary health research funder. He says the South African Medical Research Council is “heavily exposed” to the cuts, with around 28% of its budget coming from US federal agencies. Catherine Tomlinson reports.

Read More

Read more

Which of the breakthrough weight loss medicines can you get in SA?

The remarkable efficacy of new diabetes and weight loss medicines like Ozempic and Mounjaro have been one of the biggest health stories of recent years. Despite rising rates of diabetes and obesity, access to these medicines remain limited in South Africa. Catherine Tomlinson asks which of the GLP-1 agonists are available here and at what price.

Read More

Read more

Stopping health funding in Africa weakens America

Following President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend foreign aid, President Cyril Ramaphosa can display great leadership by meeting with leaders of wealthy countries and convincing them to increase spending to support the health systems of poorer countries, write Nathan Geffen and Marcus Low.

Read More

Read more

56 000 TB deaths in SA in 2023, according to WHO

An estimated 56 000 people in South Africa and 1.25 million around the world died of TB in 2023, according to just-published figures from the WHO. This means that in 2023 TB overtook COVID-19 as the top infectious disease killer on the planet. Marcus Low unpacks the new numbers.

Read More

Read more

Why including pregnant women in a TB study in SA was a big deal

Pregnant women are typically excluded from clinical trials of new TB medicines. This has led to a lack of solid scientific evidence on how best to treat women who fall ill with TB while they are expecting. Tiyese Jeranji asked local TB experts about the problem and puts the spotlight on a recent study that broke the mould by opening its doors to pregnant women.

Read More

Read more

Pretoria company aims to lead SA in making key TB drug ingredients

Though several South African companies are producing HIV and TB medicines, the active ingredients that go into these medicines are usually imported from India or China. Now, a local company is planning to break new ground by making the active ingredients for two important TB medicines in Pretoria. Catherine Tomlinson zooms in on the company’s efforts and outlines some of the obstacles to getting such local production off the ground.

Read More

Read more

Growing the beta variant – young scientist remembers the day they danced in the lab

During South Africa’s COVID-19 hard lockdown, rising star scientist Dr Sandile Cele spent his Christmas holidays in a laboratory. Soon the 35-year-old became the first to successfully grow the beta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the lab. Biénne Huisman spoke to Cele about how he did this, the string of accolades he received since, and his leap from a modest upbringing to the global scientific stage.

Read More

Read more

People in the US now able to access long-acting HIV prevention shots thanks to SA & Ugandan research. South African research has also led to new TB treatments that are now standard of care worldwide. More via @catherinetom & @SpotlightNSP

Health service organisations, including Anova Health, Health Systems Trust, TB HIV Care, @Auruminstitute and @WitsRHI are urging private sector donors and “high net-worth individuals” to help fund the shortfall from US aid cuts, reports @JesseCopelyn.

JUST PUBLISHED | The SA Medical Research Council relies on US agencies for 28% of its budget, leaving it “heavily exposed” to the US health research funding cuts. Professor @ntobekon gives us more details in this report by @catherinetom. @MRCza

The insights from the @ASSAf_Official governance report strengthen the case for reform coupled with @PresidencyZA announcement of the prioritisation of district services . The usaid transition necessitates the urgent implementation of the transitional arrangements @HealthZA

Load More

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent bibendum nulla eget lobortis finibus. Praesent a euismod nulla, vel ullamcorper lacus. Aenean auctor, nulla eu ultricies mattis, urna nisl ullamcorper purus, eu suscipit leo libero et elit. Quisque iaculis nisl a risus elementum, ac aliquam sem maximus.

The Spotlight Podcast
The Spotlight Podcast
Episode 1: Sexual and reproductive health rights
Loading
/
  • Episode 1: Sexual and reproductive health rights

    Episode 1: Sexual and reproductive health rights

    Aug 23, 2018 • 23:42

    In this first episode of the Spotlight podcast host Nomatter Ndebele speaks to Dr Daphney Conco of Wits about what SRHR is and why it matters. We also hear from Vuyokazi Gonyela of TAC about their SRHR work in provinces. Finally, Nomatter chats to Spotlight guest editor Thuthu Mbatha about…

  • Episode 2: Life Esidimeni revisited

    Episode 2: Life Esidimeni revisited

    Aug 28, 2018 • 1:00:42

    In episode 2 we catch up with the processes around the Life Esidimeni tragedy. Christine Nxumalo discusses what further action the families are hoping for. Tendai Mafuma provides fascinating insights into the prospects for criminal liability. Mark Heywood gives his views on the politics surrounding the case and what that…

  • Episode 3: Sasha Stevenson on what NHI and HMI  means for healthcare reform in South Africa

    Episode 3: Sasha Stevenson on what NHI and HMI means for healthcare reform in South Africa

    Oct 5, 2018 • 00:18:53

    At a recent civil society meeting jointly hosted by SECTION27 and Spotlight, Sasha Stevenson, head of health at SECTION27, presented on the implications of NHI and HMI for access to healthcare in South Africa. We now make her informative and thought-provoking presentation available as a podcast. (We apologise for the…

  • Episode 4: Marijuana, health and the law in South Africa

    Episode 4: Marijuana, health and the law in South Africa

    Dec 7, 2018 • 18:41

    Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to Dr Michael Herbst of the Cancer Association of South Africa about the landmark Constitutional Court judgement on the possession and use of marijuana and the judgement’s implications for the health of people in South Africa.

  • Episode 5: Dr Fareed Abdullah on South Africa’s  AIDS response

    Episode 5: Dr Fareed Abdullah on South Africa’s AIDS response

    Dec 14, 2018 • 22:26

    Dr Fareed Abdullah of the SA MRC, previously CEO of SANAC, recently addressed the TAC’s 20-year celebrations. Listen what he had to say about the history of South Africa’s AIDS response and where we are now.

  • Episode 6: Justice Edwin Cameron addresses the  TAC 20-year celebrations

    Episode 6: Justice Edwin Cameron addresses the TAC 20-year celebrations

    Dec 14, 2018 • 13:14

    Justice Edwin Cameron of South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently addressed attendees at the TAC’s 20-year celebrations. We bring you a recording of what he had to say to TAC members, supporters and allies.

  • Episode 7: Lotti Rutter on PEPFAR funding and why we need a People’s COP

    Episode 7: Lotti Rutter on PEPFAR funding and why we need a People’s COP

    Jul 25, 2019 • 24:10

    Nomatter Ndebele chats to Lotti Rutter of HealthGAP about what the People’s COP is and why it matters.

  • Episode 8: How South Africa is performing against key NSP indicators

    Episode 8: How South Africa is performing against key NSP indicators

    Jul 25, 2019 • 19:30

    Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to Spotlight editor Marcus Low about South Africa’s progress against key NSP indicators.

  • Episode 9: Rensburg on healthcare reform in South Africa

    Episode 9: Rensburg on healthcare reform in South Africa

    Jul 25, 2019 • 27:36

    Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to RHAP director Russell Rensburg about the major reforms underway in the South African healthcare system.

  • Episode 10: Siphiwe Mhlangana on the Treatment Action Campaign’s treatment literacy work

    Episode 10: Siphiwe Mhlangana on the Treatment Action Campaign’s treatment literacy work

    Jul 25, 2019 • 21:15

    Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to Siphiwe Mhlangana of the TAC about his treatment literacy work and why treatment literacy still matters.

Spotlight subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, fax: 011 484 3619. You can also contact the Press Council’s Case Officer on khanyim@ombudsman.org.za or lodge a complaint on their website: www.presscouncil.org.za