NHI Bill – so near yet so far
By Russell Rensburg The release of the NHI Bill for public comment is a significant milestone in the transformation of the South African health sector. Since 1994, there have been…
NHI: This Bill is not the path to Universal Health Coverage
[caption id="attachment_4683" align="alignnone" width="300"] Doris Ntuli[/caption] By Sasha Stevenson SECTION27 supports the extension of healthcare to as many South Africans as possible, but until the public health system is fixed…
Over a Billion stolen while Hlongwa Gauteng Health MEC
By Marcus Low [caption id="attachment_6397" align="alignnone" width="300"] Brian Hlongwa, former Gauteng Health MEC and now ANC Chief Whip. Pic: Mail & Guardian[/caption] This week the Special Investigating Unit’s long overdue…
A new normal where SheDecides: What needs to happen to get there?
By Robin Gorna I want to live in a world where every girl and every woman can decide what to do with her body, her life, and with her future.…
SA ahead of World Health Organisation in recommending new TB medicine
The South African Department of Health this week announced it will be making a new tuberculosis medicine available more widely than recommended by the World Health Organisation. The department deserves credit for this brave decision that will both save lives and prevent many patients from suffering irreversible hearing loss.
Removing Motsoaledi is not the right medicine
The rot in the healthcare system is far too deep for anything other than a fundamental overhaul and a deep cleansing of corrupt officials to do the trick.
Health workers as change agents and patient advocates
My thoughts on health workers as patient advocates stems from my experiences in both spaces – the public sector and civil society.
Flight attendant grounded because of HIV status
Flight attendant grounded after disclosing HIV status. By Ufrieda Ho
Sexual and reproductive health rights should matter to all
Why have sexual and reproductive rights remained controversial and contested in Africa? Building on a previous SRHR-focussed Spotlight article by Thuthu Mbatha and Mark Heywood, Tendai Mafuma takes on this difficult question.
Health Minister should be given greater powers
We need to amend the National Health Act (No. 61 of 2003) so as to give the Minister of Health greater powers to intervene in provinces and avert disasters in provinces. If we do not, the Minister’s hands will remain tied when it comes to the next Life Esidimeni, the ongoing oncology crisis, and the non-placement of medical interns, argues Dr Ndiviwe Mphothulo.
Open letter to President Ramaphosa: time to turn a disease system back into a health system
Thank you for what you are doing to try and restore good governance to our country and root out corruption. I am sorry to have to add more challenges to your to-do list.
The cost of strike
Jovial Rantao, editor of the African Independent, wrote this personal reflection on the cost of the strike in the NorthWest.