Healthcare news and intelligence for Southern Africa

SA's ageing medical scheme population may boost private healthcare, but National Health Insurance poses risks.

Rejection of health compact over support for NHI: ANC Health Minister pushes forward with controversial universal health coverage plan.

SA is strengthening its health system to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030 through National Health Insurance, uniting stakeholders for quality care.

The country faces a vision crisis as unequal access to eye care leaves millions at risk of avoidable blindness.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) raised its risk level for Mpox after a new strain of the virus was in Sweden.

Disagreeing on NHI, nine key healthcare groups refuse to sign the compact. They seek discussions to find better universal health coverage solutions.

The Gauteng health department must return R570M after failing to spend R1.1bn in 2023/24. Critics highlight mismanagement, with R3.45B owed to suppliers.

Novo Nordisk has partnered with Aspen to produce insulin for Africa, but critics say it fails to address the shortage of insulin pens in SA's public hospitals.

The US is slashing prices on 10 top prescription drugs by up to 79% as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The move targets high drug costs.

The signing of the Presidential Health Compact has been postponed to August 22 amid concerns about the NHI. Sama and Busa oppose the compact's support for the NHI plan.

Africa CDC declares a public health emergency over fast-spreading Mpox outbreak from the DRC, with over 15,000 cases reported in 2024.