56,000 South Africans succumbed to tuberculosis in 2023

An estimated 1.25 million people worldwide and 56,000 in South Africa succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in 2023, according to recent WHO figures. These alarming statistics place TB above COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer globally. Marcus Low analyzes...

Godongwana blames provinces for healthcare staffing crisis

In his medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana attributed South Africa’s healthcare staffing shortages to the provinces’ failure to ensure that the Treasury’s allocated funds reached frontline healthcare workers....

Concerns arise over R836m oxygen plant roll-out

The Department of Health’s (DoH) R836 million oxygen plant installation project for 55 government hospitals is under scrutiny due to the appointment of Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd. Despite its questionable background, project overseer Independent Development Trust (IDT) awarded...

RHAP advocates for higher ‘sin’ taxes

The Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) has launched a powerful campaign calling for increased taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco products. This movement, backed by a coalition of health tax advocates, seeks to reduce the consumption of harmful products and...

Trust in doctors fades in the digital age

Once revered as trusted authorities, medical doctors face a new challenge in the form of health influencers. With the rise of digital platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, these influencers are reshaping how people seek medical advice and health...