New data from the World Health Organization and UNICEF show that globally childhood immunisation coverage stalled in 2023, while in South Africa it decreased. Elri Voigt unpacks the new data and asks local experts to put it in context. The post Childhood vaccine coverage in SA declined in 2023, finds WHO report appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

Despite some improvement over the past three years, the North West province continues to experience medicine shortages, according to a survey by a community clinic monitoring initiative. Nthusang Lefafa unpacks the latest findings and asks why shortages persist in the province. The post Medicines stockouts persist in North West as tide turns slowly appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

Amid the uncertainty of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Shabir Madhi often stood out for his clarity of thought in making sense of rapidly evolving scientific evidence. Biénne Huisman chatted to Madhi about vaccines, ongoing challenges with the Gauteng health department, and being outspoken about issues such as the war in Gaza. The post “Not being afraid to speak out, it does get me into trouble quite often,” says Prof Shabir Madhi appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

An innovative health programme is thriving and making a difference in the lives of people in a rural Eastern Cape community. Sue Segar spent time with the project, walking with "nomakhayas" from house-to-house and taking a ferry trip across the Xhora river. The post Walking with “nomakhayas”: How the Bulungula Incubator is creating change in Wild Coast communities appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

Most tuberculosis (TB) tests still require a trip to the clinic. Now, new technology has made it possible to test people at home. This could be a big deal for South Africa, where much TB goes undiagnosed. Tiyese Jeranji unpacks the findings and implications of a recent study into such TB home testing. The post “We were the first ones to do it”: Innovative SA study takes TB testing to people’s homes appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

The deployment of the relatively unknown Dieketseng Mashego as Limpopo’s new MEC for health has raised eyebrows. Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her appointment. The post Questions over new Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, but stakeholders willing to give her a chance appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

The Keready project uses mobile clinics to take healthcare services to rural areas. Sue Segar spent time with the project as they took eye, dental, and other healthcare services to communities in the Eastern Cape. The post How ‘NHI on wheels’ is making a difference to young people in the Eastern Cape appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

Sello Lehari is the newly-appointed MEC for health in the North West province. Critics have doubts about his deployment while healthcare unions stand ready with several items for his to-do list. Spotlight’s Nthusang Lefafa asked the new MEC about his plans. The post New North West health MEC Sello Lehari lacks health experience but vows to prioritise NHI appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

Rehab centres in South Africa have been admitting an increasing number of codeine users in recent years. Now, the country’s medicines regulator has published a draft guideline as part of a broader effort to track suspicious codeine sales. Spotlight’s Jesse Copelyn unpacks the details. The post Codeine addiction in SA: New guideline aims to curb abuse appeared first on Spotlight ..read more

ANC support in Gauteng dipped below 40% in the recent provincial elections and an ANC-lead minority government is now at the helm. Among those in Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s new Cabinet is Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko who’s been reappointed as MEC for health and wellness. Spotlight’s Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her return. The post Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko’s comeback as Gauteng MEC for Health sparks mixed reactions appeared first on Spotlight ..read more