Competition law has again worked to fight a bad drug patent, but we need other solutions

By Fatima Hassan and Leena Menghaney, August 30, 2024

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, Spotlight, TB

A Competition Commission probe recently resulted in a patent on an important tuberculosis medicine being dropped in South Africa. Twenty years ago, a similar Competition Commission case resulted in a settlement that helped drive down the prices of several antiretrovirals, thereby helping to set the stage for the country’s HIV treatment programme. Fatima Hassan and Leena Menghaney connect the dots between the two landmark cases and map out what has and has not changed over the last two decades.

Competition law has again worked to fight a bad drug patent, but we need other solutions

Eye health services in the public sector are critically impaired – it is high time the health department responds

By Haseena Majid and Rene Sparks, August 16, 2024

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, Provinces, Spotlight

Despite South Africa producing a substantial number of trained optometrists, the majority of them work in the private sector and in urban areas. This imbalance leaves rural communities underserved and exacerbates health inequities. Does it make sense for us to use public funds and institutions to train people predominantly for the private sector, ask Dr Haseena Majid and Rene Sparks.

Eye health services in the public sector are critically impaired – it is high time the health department responds

Behind the Life Esidimeni headlines is the suffering of human beings who deserved better

By Spotlight Editors, August 1, 2024

Posted in: Editorial, Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Perspectives, Provinces, Spotlight

While we focus here on the nine deaths that Judge Mmonoa Teffo found to be unnatural, there were 144 deaths associated with the Life Esidimeni tragedy. Ultimately, these were human beings and for the world to know what happened to them is better than the world not knowing.

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Behind the Life Esidimeni headlines is the suffering of human beings who deserved better

Motsoaledi’s return could work, but he needs a DG who can say “no minister”

By Marcus Low, July 3, 2024

Posted in: Editorial, Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Perspectives, Spotlight

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 the country looks very different. Spotlight editor Marcus Low asks what we might expect from this new chapter with Motsoaledi in the top health job.

Motsoaledi’s return could work, but he needs a DG who can say “no minister”

Why affirming treatment for gender questioning youth matters in SA

By Jenna-Lee de Beer-Procter and Pierre Brouard, June 13, 2024

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, Spotlight

Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth has sparked intense debate globally. In South Africa, we need to significantly improve accessibility throughout the country, ensure services are well-resourced, include trained healthcare providers skilled in gender affirming care, and offer comprehensive care that integrates mental health and social services, write Jenna-Lee de Beer-Procter and Pierre Brouard, on behalf of fellow board members of the Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa.

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Why affirming treatment for gender questioning youth matters in SA

OPEN LETTER | Minister of Health Joe Phaahla, make TB a political priority

By TB Activists, June 7, 2024

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, TB

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. They outline six demands for implementation by the end of this year. The letter was submitted on the final day of the South African TB Conference being held this week in Durban.

Tags: health and politics Joe Phaahla TB

OPEN LETTER | Minister of Health Joe Phaahla, make TB a political priority

Who will be SA’s Minister of Health in the new cabinet?

By Marcus Low, June 4, 2024

Posted in: Editorial, Latest, Perspectives, Spotlight

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. Ministerial posts, including the country’s top health job, might be on the negotiating table. Spotlight considers the candidates for the post of South Africa’s Minister of Health.

Who will be SA’s Minister of Health in the new cabinet?

Susan Cleary | Let’s be pragmatic – the NHI has constructive and contentious aspects

By Susan Cleary, May 21, 2024

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Opinions, Perspectives

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 Cleary argues that the NHI is a wide ranging reform with both positive and controversial aspects. The key will be to find a middle ground in order to continue on the journey to UHC.

Susan Cleary | Let’s be pragmatic – the NHI has constructive and contentious aspects

The Cass Review provides guidance on gender-affirming care: SA’s medical community is now at a crossroads

By Janet Giddy, Allan Donkin, and Reitze Rodseth, May 17, 2024

Posted in: Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

The question as to the best approach to providing care for children and young people with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence is complex, contested, and controversial, both in South Africa and globally. Following the release of a major new report in the United Kingdom, it is clear that a change of course is needed in South Africa, argue doctors Janet Giddy, Allan Donkin, and associate professor Reitze Rodseth.

The Cass Review provides guidance on gender-affirming care: SA’s medical community is now at a crossroads

Bob Mash | Three health reforms the new government must prioritise for SA

By Bob Mash, May 3, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, Special Investigations

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. Professor Bob Mash has three health reforms on his wishlist for the incoming administration to prioritise.

Bob Mash | Three health reforms the new government must prioritise for SA

Bulela Vava | New lab a leap forward for oral health in the Eastern Cape

By Bulela Vava, April 30, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

A new lab promises to improve access to dental prostheses in the Eastern Cape, restoring thousands of smiles in the process. Dr Bulela Vava of the Public Oral Health Forum welcomes the development and argues that oral health should not be a privilege of the few.

Tags: Bulela Vava Eastern Cape oral health

Bulela Vava | New lab a leap forward for oral health in the Eastern Cape

OPEN LETTER | R784 million goes unspent as cancer patients continue to die

By Khanyisa Mapipa, Salomé Meyer and Ngqabutho Mpofu, April 24, 2024

Posted in: Gauteng, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

In this hard-hitting open letter, SECTION27, Cancer Alliance and TAC activists argue that the Gauteng Department of Health has failed in fulfilling its obligations to provide radiation oncology services while over 3 000 cancer patients wait for treatment.