Over 15 000 South African health workers’ jobs are at risk as US cuts aid

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV, Latest

A coalition of health service organisations has warned that patients will lose access to life-saving treatment if the US withdraws health funding to South Africa. Certain HIV and TB-related health services are continuing for now under a limited waiver. But the waiver has failed to cover organisations that provide services, including HIV care, specifically to LGBTI people and people who inject drugs. Two PEPFAR-funded harm reduction centres have already closed their doors, as have health service organisations that support LGBTI people.

Over 15 000 South African health workers’ jobs are at risk as US cuts aid

SA health research facing catastrophic financing cuts

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV, Latest, Spotlight, TB

Cuts to United States funding of health research could have “catastrophic” consequences, says Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, who is at the helm of the country’s primary health research funder. He says the South African Medical Research Council is “heavily exposed” to the cuts, with around 28% of its budget coming from US federal agencies. Catherine Tomlinson reports.

SA health research facing catastrophic financing cuts

Good governance in SA’s health system is ‘patchy’ – experts unpack report on how to fix it

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Spotlight

A timely report on governance in South Africa’s healthcare sector released last year identified several serious shortcomings. As the political and administrative wheels again start turning in 2025, Elri Voigt unpacks the report and asks if government is paying attention.

Good governance in SA’s health system is ‘patchy’ – experts unpack report on how to fix it

Gauteng MEC threatens schoolgirls’ bodily autonomy with compulsory implant

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Child health, Focus 2, Gauteng, Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Opinions, Provinces

The bodily autonomy of young women and girls is under threat as Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko intends to make the contraceptive implanon compulsory for learners as long as their parents consent. This approach to addressing teenage pregnancy is misguided and unlawful, argues Khuselwa Dyantyi.

Gauteng MEC threatens schoolgirls’ bodily autonomy with compulsory implant

Pressure grows for NHI compromise ahead of Cabinet lekgotla

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, 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, Editorial, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, HIV, 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, Editorial, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV, 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

Critics raise alarm over leadership issues at Gauteng health department

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Gauteng, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

Several opposition politicians and commentators have flagged what appears to be chronic leadership problems at the Gauteng Department of Health. Ufrieda Ho reports.

Critics raise alarm over leadership issues at Gauteng health department

South Africa’s AIDS response: Progress, challenges, and opportunities

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Opinions, Spotlight

Ahead of World AIDS Day 2024, Professor Salim Abdool Karim and Dr Nikita Devnarain argue that South Africa needs a concerted effort to reduce new HIV infections in young women and to prepare for the rollout of long-acting forms of HIV prevention alongside a well-functioning HIV treatment programme.

South Africa’s AIDS response: Progress, challenges, and opportunities

Where in SA someone lives determines how many ARVs they get at a time

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Spotlight

Whether or not someone living with HIV in South Africa gets a one- or three-months’ supply of antiretrovirals at a time depends partly on the clinic where they happen to go for HIV care. Ahead of World AIDS Day 2024, Elri Voigt unpacks the legal and policy issues relating to prescriptions and HIV medicine refills and asks why people living with HIV are treated so differently in different parts of the country.

Where in SA someone lives determines how many ARVs they get at a time

Why the fuss about long-acting antiretrovirals for HIV?

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Opinions, Spotlight

HIV prevention injections that can provide two, or even six, months of protection per shot have arguably been the biggest HIV story of the year. Ahead of World AIDS Day, Professor Francois Venter assesses the state of play and the critical next steps with these potentially game-changing new tools in the fight against HIV.

Why the fuss about long-acting antiretrovirals for HIV?

The high cost of having too few pharmacists in SA

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Spotlight

It’s acknowledged in key policy documents, well known at the coalface and much ventilated in the media: South Africa’s public healthcare system has too few healthcare workers, especially medical doctors, certain specialists, and theatre nurses. Less recognised however is the shortage of public sector pharmacists. Chris Bateman lifts the lid on this until now largely hidden problem – and its impact.