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

Proposed Health Professions Act Amendment a double-edged sword

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

The Democratic Alliance intends to propose legislation that would allow healthcare professionals to do community service and internships in private hospitals. Such a legislative change risks exacerbating some of South Africa’s healthcare inequalities, argues Bulela Vava.

Proposed Health Professions Act Amendment a double-edged sword

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

New Western Cape health MEC Mireille Wenger says child health is near her heart

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Access to Medicines, Child health, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Mireille Wenger was recently appointed to the Western Cape’s top health job. Biénne Huisman chatted to Wenger about health policy, child health, and the challenge of providing quality public health services at a time of shrinking budgets.

New Western Cape health MEC Mireille Wenger says child health is near her heart

Medicines stockouts persist in North West as tide turns slowly

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, North West, Provinces, Spotlight, TB

Despite some improvement over the past three years, the North West province continues to experience medicine shortages, according to a survey by a community clinic monitoring initiative. Nthusang Lefafa unpacks the latest findings and asks why shortages persist in the province.

Medicines stockouts persist in North West as tide turns slowly

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.

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

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

Posted in: Editorial, Focus, InFocus, Latest, 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.

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

#Vote4Health | Opposition parties promise to resolve healthcare understaffing. Do they have the right solutions?

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Access to Medicines, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight

Several political parties have pledged to plug shortages of healthcare staff at government hospitals and clinics by training more health workers. They’re right to be concerned with understaffing, but are they putting the right solutions on the table? Jesse Copelyn investigates.