The 2023/24 budget allocation for the National Department of Health has declined by  R4,4bn from R64.5bn in 22/23 to R60.1 billion in 2023 Health Minister Joe Phaahla says this can be attributed to the discontinuation of conditional grants allocated…
Civil organisations representing healthcare workers remain concerned about how the National Health Insurance (NHI) will achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The ongoing power crisis and other unresolved issues within the health fraternity continue to raise concerns about the scheme’s success.…
 As the National Department of Health moves towards the next phase of its quest to implement the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI), it admits that several challenges lie ahead. This comes after the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Health…
The Health Justice Initiative (HJI), a lobby group, has raised red flags over how people will access life-saving medication under the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. The HJI’s new study highlights several concerns, including access to critical medicine. The National…
Three NHI clauses on the contracting unit for primary healthcare were deliberated in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Health Minister Dr Joe Phaala and his DG, Dr Nicholas Crisp’s absence was flagged before the meeting began. Clauses 37, 38 and…
A basic government grant of at least R1,000 could improve the health of South Africans and reduce some of the pressure the public health system faces. This is the view of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), one of the civil…
Qwa-Qwa residents claim that nothing has changed since the Mofumahadi Manapo Hospital was declared a National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot by former Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize. The people of Phuthaditjhaba have labelled the move nothing but a publicity stunt. When…
While it remains unclear how much money will be required to finance the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) nor where the funds will come from, a public health medicine specialist recommends that the government increase taxes to raise funds. Prof…
In 2012, the Vhembe district in Limpopo was declared one of the 10 National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot districts by the National Department of Health. This put the Tshilidzini Hospital in line for major renovations since most of its buildings…
As the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill winds its way through parliament, a human rights organisation has urged government to address inequalities within the public healthcare system before the legislation comes into effect.
Faced with inadequate access to essential treatments, South Africa must prioritise health research and development. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how poor and marginalised South Africans are affected by international factors, and so it is essential to include communities in advocating for better homegrown research and development, writes community activist Ntando Yola.
South African healthcare workers to participate in a stay-away strike called by SAFTU to voice their grievances despite Covid-19 concerns.
South African medical authorities are gearing up to deliver the first batch of vaccines but there are major challenges as the minister of health discovered.
While Covid-19 has affected the economy, the pandemic has also presented important lessons. These are the key takeaways for the health sector.
Activist says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech should have linked South Africa’s challenges to gender-based violence
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