NHI Funding Plan “Unworkable and Unfeasible,” warns HFA

South Africa’s ambitious National Health Insurance (NHI) plan is facing intense scrutiny. The Health Funders Association (HFA) warns that “uncertainty and contradictions” plague the government’s NHI funding plan. They render it...

Cholera Vaccine Trial Aims for Self-Reliance in Africa

South Africa has taken a pivotal step towards pharmaceutical independence with the launch of a new South African cholera vaccine trial. The state-backed manufacturer, Biovac, in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), has initiated...

Home-Based Hypertension Care Shows Dramatic Results

High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” is a significant public health crisis in South Africa. Implementing home-based hypertension care could be a crucial step in managing this issue. The 2023 Global Burden of Disease report ranked hypertension as the...

Biovac R&D Lab to Drive Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa

State-backed vaccine manufacturer Biovac has officially launched a new product development laboratory at its Cape Town facility. This move strengthens its capacity to produce vaccines entirely on African soil, from start to finish. The new Biovac R&D lab in...

Health Funding Shortages Impacting HIV/AIDS Care

The National Treasury’s emergency allocation to South Africa’s health sector is dangerously insufficient. It is at high risk of being diverted to pay off massive provincial debts rather than fund essential services, Parliament heard on Wednesday. Health...