The Gauteng Health Department blames the crisis on ageing infrastructure.
Our journalism is free, because we believe that access to information leads to better health. Your support helps us reach underserved audiences. Can you chip in to help keep Health-e News free for all?
LATEST
Ageing hospital infrastructure leaves Gauteng patients in the cold as winter bites
The Gauteng Health Department blames the crisis on ageing infrastructure.
Read More »
NEWS
SAHPRA warns of fake licences and hidden health dangers in cannabis-infused products
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 13, 2025
Gauteng Health Slammed Over HR Failures and Sick Leave Abuse
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 12, 2025
South African expert honoured on global stage for public health contributions
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 9, 2025
Healing the Healers: Why so many healthcare workers struggle with depression and anxiety
Health-e News June 6, 2025
Baby saver devices under threat as social development cracks down
Pamela Madonsela June 5, 2025
Health Department warns of new tobacco threat as emerging products target teens
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 4, 2025
No Clinics, No Data, No Justice: How South Africa Is Failing Sex Workers
Health-e News June 2, 2025
HIV: 5 ways community-led and community-based services are delivering beyond HIV
Health-e News May 30, 2025
SAHPRA warns of fake licences and hidden health dangers in cannabis-infused products
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 13, 2025
Gauteng Health Slammed Over HR Failures and Sick Leave Abuse
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 12, 2025
South African expert honoured on global stage for public health contributions
Yoliswa Sobuwa June 9, 2025
Healing the Healers: Why so many healthcare workers struggle with depression and anxiety
Health-e News June 6, 2025
Tip-offs and leads
Community is important to us. A publication is only as good as its readership, because you are our eyes and ears on the ground.
Curiously Health-e
Curiosity is a powerful driver of knowledge, and at Health-e News, we believe in answering the questions that matter most to you.
Do you ever wonder why we have such a high disease burden and what can be done to reduce it? Are you concerned about the impact of climate change on health? Would you like to know what resources are available for mental health?
Share your burning health questions with us! Each week, we’ll provide the answers to a select few inquiries.
"*" indicates required fields
MULTIMEDIA
OUR HEALTH
OurHealth is a project that trains and supports local activists and aspiring health journalists. Our citizen journalists (CJs) live in rural and poorly-covered areas in South Africa, and report on health issues affecting their communities.
A recent study which included 25,000 learners across 52 high schools in South Africa found that one in six learners are vaping.
Workers say blocked pipes have been causing a stink in and around the mortuary and key machinery have been broken.
Following up on a tip-off from a source, Health-e News got in touch with the former government employee, posing as a potential ARV buyer.
Nxele started the fitness classes to give back to the community and promote a healthy lifestyle for everyone.
OPINION
FEATURES
Q & A
EXPLAINER
RESEARCH
MOST READ
SAHPRA warns of fake licences and hidden health dangers in cannabis-infused products
mRNA technology transfer programme reaches key milestone
Gauteng Health Slammed Over HR Failures and Sick Leave Abuse
Ageing hospital infrastructure leaves Gauteng patients in the cold as winter bites
Who watches the watchdog: NHI’s centralised complaints unit sparks concern
EDITOR'S PICKS
7,572
Health-e News Service
Health-e News is a non-profit, online publication focused on pressing health issues in South Africa. We centre community voices through our network of nationwide citizen journalists.
As SA gets closer to rolling out the NHI, new concerns are surfacing, this time, about who handles patient complaints.![]()
![]()
Sections 42–44 of the Act say that a centralised complaints unit within the NHI Fund itself, will be the sole body managing all complaints. ![]()
![]()
But health professionals and advocacy groups worry: Can a system truly hold itself accountable?![]()
![]()
Public Health Specialist Prof Hassan Mahomed says this could blur the lines between independent oversight and internal policing, especially when complaints are directed at the NHI Fund.![]()
![]()
The Health Ombud’s office, meant to serve as an independent watchdog, already struggles with limited resources. ![]()
![]()
Deputy Director General for the NHI, Dr Nicholas Crisp, says the Fund will keep records of all complaints and will be held accountable. ![]()
![]()
Find out more in the comments. #healthnews
Sahpra is raising the alarm over a surge in fraudulent service providers posing as SAHPRA-accredited. ![]()
![]()
The watchdog says it has learned about a troubling trend of individuals and businesses using falsified licences to deceive the public and carry out unregulated operations, putting lives at risk. ![]()
![]()
The warning comes amid the booming popularity of cannabis-infused products in South Africa, from beverages and snacks to baked goods.![]()
![]()
However, the lack of proper regulation, safety testing, and transparent labelling has sparked concern. ![]()
![]()
Nozipho*, a 47-year-old Braynston woman, was hospitalised after consuming a cannabis-infused drink, purchased from a pharmacy. She tells Health-e News that she found the juice in an aisle containing other fruit juices, and it had no distinct labelling.![]()
![]()
Have you ever had a similar experience? Find out more in the comments. ![]()
![]()
#cannabis #cannabisdrinks #healthnews
The Gauteng health department has come under criticism for its deplorable human resources management, which has incentivised employees to exaggerate their leave days.![]()
![]()
According to a source who also attended a meeting on leave day policies, an audit is currently underway to verify the number of employees who have taken unauthorised incapacity leave a type of leave taken by an employee when they are unable to work due to ill health or injury, and they have exhausted their standard sick leave.![]()
![]()
Between the 2021/22 and 2024/25 financial years, a total of 8,571 healthcare employees in Gauteng have exhausted their sick leave entitlements. ![]()
![]()
Find out more in the comments. ![]()
![]()
#healthnews #healthcareworkers #Healthcare
"No health measures needed": Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the new COVID-19 variant, which has been detected in several Asian countries, is being monitored by the NNational Institute for Communicable Diseasesand there's no need for concern. Watch to learn more.![]()
![]()
#COVID19 #Covid19variant #nimbusvariant
A new COVID-19 variant has been identified in several Asian countries. 🦠![]()
![]()
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says they are closely monitoring the variant which has not been detected in South Africa yet. Share with a friend and help prevent the spread of misinformation. ![]()
![]()
#COVID19 #nimbusvariant #healthnews
![[SWIPE] As South Africa prepares to roll out the NHI, a new debate is brewing about the complaints process.
According to the NHI Act, all patient complaints will be handled by the NHI Fund itself, even if the complaint is about the Fund.
That means the same body responsible for funding healthcare will also be the one investigating problems in the system.
Public health experts are raising red flags. If the body being complained about is also the one investigating, how fair will the process really be?
Right now, patients can lodge complaints at clinics or hospitals, or go through the Health Ombud.
But even the Ombud’s office, meant to work independently is under pressure: limited staff, no proper offices, and call centres with no privacy.
Public health professionals and advocacy groups worry this system could weaken public trust, especially for everyday people who already feel powerless in the health system.
#healthnews](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzM5NTo1Nw==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 43")
![[WATCH] It’s a proud moment for South Africa🥳: Prof Helen Rees reflects on receiving a lifetime global health award at the World Health Assembly but also how international funding cuts have been affecting HIV and TB care in SA.
#HIV #Tuberculosis #healthnews](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzQ2Nzo3Ng==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 48")
![Why would anyone buy ARVs when they’re available for free in government facilities?
A former government employee at La Lucia clinic in Durban and at least one accomplice are selling ARVs to members of the public.
Following up on a tip-off from a source, Health-e News got in touch with the former government employee, posing as a potential buyer. In a recorded phone call the man explains how the operation works.
“He [the accomplice still working at the clinic] said for a year it’s R2000 – that’s 12 containers. That’s how he takes them out. That means 6 would be R1000 — but I’ll have to ask him. And then he removes them from the container and puts them in a plastic bag so that you can also be protected and the next person won’t see that he’s giving you pills.”
But why would anyone buy ARVs when they’re available for free in government facilities?
Our source, who previously had medical aid and received antiretroviral treatment through it, was forced to cancel his membership after he could no longer afford the monthly premium.
Uncomfortable with the idea of visiting a public clinic – fearing he might be recognised by people in his community he began purchasing ARVs in the private sector but found the cost unsustainable.
When he heard from others in his community about a man selling ARVs at a lower price on the black market, he chose to buy from him.
Health-e News was unable to find others who have bought ARVs from the clinic’s former employee, so the scale of the issue remains unclear.
Link in bio to find out more. #ARVs #HIV #HealthNews #Durban #SouthAfrica](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzYyOToxMTk=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 56")
Health Fact