Health in 2023: A deceptively busy year in fewer than 1 000 words

Posted in: Editorial, Latest

2023 was a busy year for healthcare in South Africa. We saw several promising policy developments, landmark court cases, important pieces of legislation, and some changes in leadership. Yet, take a step back and at facility level little seems to have changed. Shortages of healthcare workers persist, corruption is still rife, budgets tight, and our health governance crisis remains as acute as ever. Marcus Low looks back at the year in health in fewer than 1 000 words.

Health in 2023: A deceptively busy year in fewer than 1 000 words

Mixed feelings on NHI aired at Eastern Cape hearing

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Latest, NHI

Concerns around corruption and whether or not there would be health coverage for foreign nationals were two of the top talking points at a recent public hearing on the National Health Insurance Bill held in the Eastern Cape. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports.

Mixed feelings on NHI aired at Eastern Cape hearing

In-depth: What two major bills might mean for health sector procurement in SA

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

Between South Africa’s Public Procurement Bill and the National Health Insurance Bill, health sector procurement in the country is set for a major shake-up – all as a landmark court decision recently reaffirmed the Constitutional imperative that public procurement must be conducted in a transparent way. Alicestine October takes a deep dive into the accelerating currents of procurement reform.

In-depth: What two major bills might mean for health sector procurement in SA

ANALYSIS: Will new leadership signal a new dawn at the Health Professions Council?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

In May, Dr Magome Masike stepped into the role of CEO and registrar of the Health Professions Council (HPCSA). Eight weeks into the job, Ufrieda Ho sat down to talk to him about his plans for the beleaguered institution.

ANALYSIS: Will new leadership signal a new dawn at the Health Professions Council?

NHI Lawmakers: Interview with Kenneth Jacobs, new chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Dr Kenneth Jacobs was elected chairperson of the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Health last month. Biénne Huisman chatted to Jacobs about National Health Insurance, the role of Parliament, working with the Stormers rugby team, and his own background and journey to serving as chair of such an important parliamentary committee.

NHI Lawmakers: Interview with Kenneth Jacobs, new chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health

NHI in a time of mistrust

Posted in: Spotlight

A panel discussion on the National Health Insurance (NHI) during The Gathering 2020 zoomed in on mistrust as a fundamental crack in South Africa’s engagement and discourse on NHI and the NHI Bill.

NHI: Khayelitsha public hearings in pictures

Posted in: Latest, NHI, Western Cape

The recent public hearings on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill in Khayelitsha drew a considerable crowd in the CBD Hall on Wednesday. Nasief Manie was there to capture the proceedings for Spotlight in pictures.