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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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Why SA is not getting the new bivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Why SA is not getting the new bivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

By Adele Baleta,
Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

The Department of Health is not planning to buy the new COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines, specifically tailored to target Omicron variants, anytime soon. Adele Baleta looks into the reasoning behind this decision.

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OPINION: Conversations about sex – we must do better for young people

OPINION: Conversations about sex – we must do better for young people

By Julia Chaskalson,
Posted in: HIV, Latest, SRHR

Conversations with young people about sex can lead to safer sexual behaviour, like delayed sexual debut, the use of condoms and other contraceptives, and having fewer concurrent sexual partners but we need to give learners and young people clear and reliable information so that they can make informed choices relating to their health, writes Julia Chaskalson.

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In-depth: Should SA invest in the latest HIV tests?

In-depth: Should SA invest in the latest HIV tests?

By Amy Green,
Posted in: HIV, Latest, Science

South Africa’s HIV testing programme has been a huge success over the last decade, largely due to the use of rapid tests. Now, the introduction of a new generation of rapid tests may offer some benefits over the current tests, but the picture is somewhat complicated and the Department of Health is not currently planning to use the new tests. Amy Green investigates.

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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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HIV vaccine research set to change focus in wake of Mosaico disappointment

HIV vaccine research set to change focus in wake of Mosaico disappointment

By Adele Baleta,
Posted in: COVID-19, HIV, Latest

Top South African HIV clinicians are setting their sights on different approaches to finding an HIV vaccine after the “disappointing” news that the Mosaico trial was stopped early because the vaccine did not show any efficacy. The search for an HIV jab now seems set to pivot from vaccines that induce T-cell immunity to ones that induce B-cell immunity. Adele Baleta unpacks what that means and the reasoning behind it.

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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, 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

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

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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In-Depth: As schools open, will measles outbreaks get worse?

In-Depth: As schools open, will measles outbreaks get worse?

By Elri Voigt,
Posted in: Child health, Healthcare system, Latest

Almost 400 cases of measles have been reported across five provinces over the last four months. The NICD has advised that clinicians should be on high alert, as the opening of schools may lead to localised outbreaks. Elri Voigt reports on the current state of the outbreak, the potential outcomes, and what is being done to curtail the spread of measles in the country.

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