department of healthlatest news & developments
The Hawks has served warrants of arrests against director general at the department of health Sandile Buthelezi and two other senior officials,

Health director-general Sandile Buthelezi, two other officials arrested for fraud, theft

Buthelezi was previously implicated and later cleared in the Digital Vibes scandal

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi.

Aaron Motsoaledi: Health

SCORE: C The Department of Health earns a C this year. Unlike previous years of total decline, the department hit major targets, particularly in its massive HIV and TB programs. By ensuring 96% of people with HIV know their status, South Africa remains a global leader in epidemic control. However, this grade reflects a department […]

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
Members of Operation Dudula prevented people from other African countries from using South African health facilities. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

ActionSA pushes for constitutional change as Operation Dudula  targets migrants at clinics

The Human Rights Commission and legal experts say the Constitution, the National Health Act, the UN Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights obligate South Africa to provide basic healthcare to all people in its borders

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

Government U-turn on cannabis food products ban after public outcry

The presidency intervened, saying there should be more stakeholder consultation and public participation in the formulation of new regulations

  • Aarti Bhana
3 min read
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

Cannabis hopes go up in smoke

Industry groups and experts are demanding the department of health withdraw its prohibition on foodstuffs containing cannabis and hemp

  • Aarti Bhana
6 min read
The constitutional court’s decision to decriminalise the private use of cannabis in 2018 was a seminal moment in South African history.

Editorial: Nuance is absent from cannabis conversation

The latest gut punch arrived earlier this month with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi gazetting a blanket ban on edible cannabis products

  • Eyaaz
2 min read
Recent studies show that AI can help detect tumours during routine breast X-rays and colonoscopies, where AI software assists in scanning images. (Graphic representation)

Cultural barriers may limit AI’s success in maternal healthcare in Africa

A study has found that artificial intelligence apps need to include data sets and traditional practices

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA MARCH 11: (SOUTH AFRICA OUT) A newborn baby at the Kangaroo Mother Care Centre at Pelonomi Hospital on March 11, 2014 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The Kangaroo Mother Care Centre helps women who deliver premature babies across the Free State province to take care of their babies until they are fully developed. Kangaroo care is a technique practiced on premature babies, wherein the infant is held, skin-to-skin, with an adult. The concept was initially developed to care for premature babies in areas where incubators are either unavailable or unreliable. (Photo by Conrad Bornman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Gender commission report highlights ‘critical deficiencies’ in Eastern Cape maternity, neonatal facilities

Failures in infrastructure, maintenance and governance are contributing to maternal and neonatal deaths in the province

9 min read
Moderator Cathy Mohlahlana with panellists Desiree Jason, Phumelele Mngomezulu, Muzi Ndlovu, Lieketseng Mohlakoana-Motopi and Phinah Kodisang.

Breaking the cycle: Ending childhood pregnancy in South Africa

Early and unintended pregnancies remain a critical challenge in South Africa, significantly impacting the health, education and socioeconomic prospects of girls

  • Derek Davey
12 min read
The Free State department of education has confirmed that it had to shut schools in the Xhariep district after 100 pupils were infected with influenza B and human rhinovirus.

Free State schools reports human rhinovirus outbreak

The provincial health department ordered the schools to shut their doors after about 100 pupils were infected with the virus, as well as influenza B

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read
South Africa’s medical schemes have increased premiums and reduced benefits while complicating their offerings, making it difficult for consumers to find the best value for money.

How South Africa is legislating its way into a healthcare crisis

Unregulated tariffs and the lack of low-cost benefit schemes drive up the price of medical aid premiums, causing patients to feel the pain

  • Eyaaz
10 min read
Joe Phaahla. (Photo by Jaco Marais/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Employment for doctors is increasing in public sector, says Phaahla

But there are still not enough vacancies for junior doctors, according to the minister

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Flatline: Public healthcare fails in most provinces because of poor leadership in hospitals and at provincial government, decaying infrastructure and overworked staff. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Getty Images

Department of Health

The department has tried to turn the health system around but it’s plagued by inefficiency, staff shortages, dismal leadership and governance failures

  • M&G Digital
8 min read
In South Africa, lack of adherence to HIV treatment remains a problem.

HIV responses succeed when we let communities lead

The Nomakhayas of Nqileni in the Eastern Cape give us a case study to replicate This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
Charges of identity fraud and impersonating a medical doctor against Tik Tok influencer Matthew Lani were withdrawn at the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Tuesday. (Facebook)

Charges against fake doctor ‘Matthew Lani’ dropped

The TikTok influencer was arrested on Sunday night at the Helen Joseph Hospital for impersonating a medical practitioner

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Joe Phaahla. (Photo by Jaco Marais/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

More doctors employed this year than 2022 – Phaahla

Minister blames shortages in the public health sector on budget constraints and the fact that doctors are reluctant to work in rural areas

  • Eyaaz
3 min read