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OPINION: The billions allocated for infrastructure require more progressive procurement systems and oversight

OPINION: The billions allocated for infrastructure require more progressive procurement systems and oversight

By Zukiswa Kota,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

Spending on public sector infrastructure over the 2023 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) is estimated at R903 billion and the health sector accounts for 5% of this. The well-documented poor maintenance and oversight of projects, also in the health sector, will require close monitoring of trends across the public sector, particularly where procurement and contracting is concerned, writes Zukiswa Kota.

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What next after shortened TB treatment fails in key trial?

What next after shortened TB treatment fails in key trial?

By Elri Voigt,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, TB, TB

The current treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB) used in South Africa last for six months, effectively cures TB and is dirt cheap. Two studies in recent years have shown that TB can be cured in four or in some cases even two months, but price and other complications make these treatments tricky to implement. At a conference in Seattle last week, a major trial of an alternative four-month treatment reported disappointing findings. Elri Voigt unpacks the latest findings and asks what the prospects now are for shortening TB treatment.

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OPINION: Budget 2023 – opportunity missed to refocus public health spending?

OPINION: Budget 2023 – opportunity missed to refocus public health spending?

By Russell Rensburg,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

Budgets, while important, are not the right mechanism to drive the structural change needed to improve the responsiveness of our public health system in meeting the needs of the population. But, argues Russel Rensburg, we can reorient the health system towards meeting the health needs of the population and then let the budget bolster the reforms. Here he provides some suggestions on how to go about it and contrasts that with the budget announced by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana this week.

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In-depth: Some improvement but much more needed to address health needs of key populations

In-depth: Some improvement but much more needed to address health needs of key populations

By Nthusang Lefafa,
Posted in: Access to Medicines, Edition 9: State of HIV, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, LGBTI, Men's Health, Provinces, Reproductive Health, Sex Work, SRHR

Despite some improvement, the community-led monitoring group Ritshidze’s second report on key populations highlights that sex workers, people who use drugs and LGBTQIA+ community members are often still discriminated against when trying to access public health facilities. This can lead to treatment interruptions and some stopping their clinic visits. Nthusang Lefafa reports.

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OPINION: NHI Bill must still clear many hurdles to ensure adequate medicine access

OPINION: NHI Bill must still clear many hurdles to ensure adequate medicine access

By Yanga Nokhepheyi, Marlise Richter, and Fatima Hassan,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

The Health Department’s recent response to submissions and its own recommendations on amendments to the National Health Insurance Bill sadly does not realise the gravity of the threat to the future of medicine selection and access. As the Bill currently stands, it will leave us at the mercy of advisory committees that bear no duty to be transparent in deciding which medicines people will be able to access under NHI, the authors argue.

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Analysis: Why has the price of this cancer medicine risen and fallen by over a thousand percent since 2016?

Analysis: Why has the price of this cancer medicine risen and fallen by over a thousand percent since 2016?

By Catherine Tomlinson,
Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest

Lenalidomide is an important medicine used for the treatment of multiple myeloma – a type of bone marrow cancer that is not curable and typically requires long-term, ongoing treatment. Over the last decade, the price of this drug has fluctuated dramatically in South Africa and patients and their doctors have gone to extreme lengths to access it. Catherine Tomlinson unpacks the remarkable recent history of lenalidomide.

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R27m needed to get Eastern Cape EMS plan off the ground

R27m needed to get Eastern Cape EMS plan off the ground

By Siyabonga Kamnqa,
Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

In October last year, Eastern Cape Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth announced a three-phase plan to address key challenges with the province’s emergency medical services. Siyabonga Kamnqa visited All Saints Hospital in Ngcobo – one of the 28 priority hospitals targeted in the plan to see what progress has been made.

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Progress in Charlotte Maxeke recovery, but HR and other problems persist

Progress in Charlotte Maxeke recovery, but HR and other problems persist

By Ufrieda Ho,
Posted in: COVID-19, Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

It is a race against the clock to keep to the timetable for repairs at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. This as Gauteng’s public healthcare needs mount and the challenges of alleged criminal activity and inefficiencies at the hospital persist. Ufrieda Ho reports.

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Northern Cape health still without permanent head as suspended officials return

Northern Cape health still without permanent head as suspended officials return

By Refilwe Mochoari,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Northern Cape, Provinces

Two senior officials have returned to the Northern Cape Department of Health following suspension, but the department remains without a permanent head. Opposition parties and trade union DENOSA have expressed concern over the impact the leadership instability is having on healthcare services in the province. Refilwe Mochoari reports.

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Opinion: Changing the law on sex work will save lives, we must see it through

Opinion: Changing the law on sex work will save lives, we must see it through

By Marlise Richter and Pamela Chakuvinga,
Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, Reproductive Health, Sex Work, SRHR

In December 2022, the Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola, set into motion a public participation process on the laws that govern sex work in South Africa. Marlise Richter & Pamela Chakuvinga point out that while the Bill published for public comment in December is very short, it will do something quite extraordinary if it does become law – it will fully decriminalise sex work. This, they argue, is a process we must see through.

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As with COVID-19, the effects of TB can linger long after it is cured

As with COVID-19, the effects of TB can linger long after it is cured

By Tiyese Jeranji,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, TB, TB

According to the World Health Organization, of the roughly 10 million people who fall ill with TB annually, over 80% survive, in most cases due to a six-month treatment course. Unfortunately, as with long COVID, being cured is not always the last hurdle and many people go on to struggle with post-TB lung disease. Tiyese Jeranji asked local experts about this sometimes-neglected area of TB care.

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This is why Mpumalanga is repurposing some TB hospitals

This is why Mpumalanga is repurposing some TB hospitals

By Nthusang Lefafa,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, TB, TB

The Mpumalanga Health Department plans to repurpose three TB hospitals due to dwindling numbers of in-patients at these hospitals. The hospitals – Bongani TB Hospital, Standerton TB Hospital, and Barberton TB Hospital – will be used for other health services. Nthusang Lefafa asked the department what prompted this and what it means for the TB response in the province.

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