ANC and its ministers reject reports of NHI ‘concessions’

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, NHI

Recent media reports over the future of NHI have been contradictory and hard to make sense of. Chris Bateman chased up those in a position to know where things stand – it seems the ANC has not in fact made any major concessions on NHI. There is however agreement that medical schemes won’t be phased out in the next few years, something that likely wouldn’t have happened in any case given the poor state of the economy and the long timeline for NHI implementation.

ANC and its ministers reject reports of NHI ‘concessions’

Pressure grows for NHI compromise ahead of Cabinet lekgotla

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, NHI

Whether or not the ANC and DA can find common ground on the future of medical schemes is set to be a major test of South Africa’s Government of National Unity. Ahead of a Cabinet lekgotla where the issue is expected to be on the agenda, momentum has been gathering behind a compromise option. Chris Bateman reports.

Pressure grows for NHI compromise ahead of Cabinet lekgotla

Health in 2025: Spotlight’s top 4 questions for the year ahead

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Comment, Focus, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight, TB

From the ongoing political and legal battles over NHI, to the far-reaching health impacts of political change in the United States, it is set to be another tumultuous year for healthcare in South Africa and around the globe. Here’s Spotlight’s top four healthcare questions for 2025.

Health in 2025: Spotlight’s top 4 questions for the year ahead

Health in 2024: The year in fewer than 1 000 words

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Comment, Editorial, Focus, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight, TB

From the NHI Act to major advances in HIV prevention, it has been another busy year in the world of healthcare. Spotlight editors Marcus Low and Adiel Ismail recap the year’s health developments and identify some key trends in fewer than 1 000 words.

Health in 2024: The year in fewer than 1 000 words

#InTheSpotlight | How will NHI unfold? Here are three possible scenarios

Posted in: #InTheSpotlight, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, NHI, Special Investigations, Spotlight

As health department officials move to set up National Health Insurance’s basic structures, including its board, several experts say the scheme remains a pipe-dream, doomed to the same fate as Gauteng’s aborted e-tolls project. In this Spotlight special briefing, Jesse Copelyn outlines three possible scenarios for how NHI might pan out over the coming years.

#InTheSpotlight | How will NHI unfold? Here are three possible scenarios

Mandatory health insurance for SA is an ‘upgrade’ on NHI, proponents say

Posted in: Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, NHI, Spotlight

The idea of mandatory medical scheme coverage for employed people has made a comeback after the case for it was made at a recent conference. Chris Bateman unpacks how a system with mandatory medical scheme membership for the employed might work and asked experts whether it represents a viable alternative to government’s NHI plans.

Mandatory health insurance for SA is an ‘upgrade’ on NHI, proponents say

All the Premier’s HODs: High-stakes head of health post trapped in a merry-go-round

Posted in: Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Northern Cape, Provinces, Spotlight

The Northern Cape health department has had several heads of department in the last five years. Spotlight unpacks the implications of this leadership instability and asks what it means for good governance in the public health sector.

All the Premier’s HODs: High-stakes head of health post trapped in a merry-go-round

Face to face: Healthcare veteran Kgosi Letlape on leaving the ANC, serving in parliament, and the tragic loss of his daughter

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

Former ANC member, now with ActionSA, Kgosi Letlape was recently elected to parliament’s health committee. Biénne Huisman spoke to the past president of the Health Professions Council of SA about leaving the ANC, healthcare in the country, gender-based violence, and the murder of his daughter.

Face to face: Healthcare veteran Kgosi Letlape on leaving the ANC, serving in parliament, and the tragic loss of his daughter

Questions over new Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, but stakeholders willing to give her a chance

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Limpopo, Provinces, Spotlight

The deployment of the relatively unknown Dieketseng Mashego as Limpopo’s new MEC for health has raised eyebrows. Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her appointment.

Questions over new Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, but stakeholders willing to give her a chance

New North West health MEC Sello Lehari lacks health experience but vows to prioritise NHI

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, North West, Provinces, Spotlight

Sello Lehari is the newly-appointed MEC for health in the North West province. Critics have doubts about his deployment while healthcare unions stand ready with several items for his to-do list. Spotlight’s Nthusang Lefafa asked the new MEC about his plans.

New North West health MEC Sello Lehari lacks health experience but vows to prioritise NHI

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko’s comeback as Gauteng health MEC sparks mixed reactions

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Access to Medicines, Focus, Gauteng, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

ANC support in Gauteng dipped below 40% in the recent provincial elections and an ANC-lead minority government is now at the helm. Among those in Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s new Cabinet is Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko who’s been reappointed as MEC for health and wellness. Spotlight’s Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her return.

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko’s comeback as Gauteng health MEC sparks mixed reactions

Of South Africa’s nine health MECs, five are new

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Focus, Free State, Gauteng, Healthcare system, InFocus, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Following South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial elections, the decisions about the top health jobs in the country’s nine provinces have now all been made. Elri Voigt rounds up the appointments.