News

News

GLP-1 Obesity Support Expanded by Vitality

02 Oct 2026
Discovery Vitality is expanding GLP-1 obesity support as demand for anti-obesity medicines continues to rise among SA medical scheme members, reported Business Day (2 October 2026)
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Kennedy promotes use of AI in healthcare

02 Oct 2026
KenUS Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promoting AI as a tool to give Americans greater control over their healthcare, arguing that patients could use it to analyse medical records, obtain second opinions and make informed treatment decisions. - Bloomberg (1 October 2026)nedy promotes use of AI in healthcare
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Eastern Cape halves Its medicolegal bill

01 Oct 2026
“The Eastern Cape's estimated medicolegal liability fell from R38bn to just under R19bn over five years, according to former Health Department head Dr Rolene Wagner.
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NHI communications contracts face R182m scrutiny

01 Oct 2026
NHI-related communications contracts worth about R182m are facing scrutiny following reports that National Department of Health funding was redirected from programmes including HIV, TB and child nutrition.
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Buy now, pay later for weight-loss drugs

01 Oct 2026
A new SA programme, Obiflex, allows patients to use buy now, pay later (BNPL) credit to spread the cost of weight-loss GLP-1 medicines over instalments
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Netcare’s patient volumes increase

01 Oct 2026
Netcare’s patient volumes rose in FY2026, keeping the private hospital group on track with its guidance. Total paid patient days increased 1.6%, while acute hospital activity grew 0.8%, despite medical scheme solvency measures, network changes and tighter managed-care protocols limiting activity.
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Medical negligence claims to be structured

01 Oct 2026
The SA Law Reform Commission has proposed replacing lump-sum payouts for state medical negligence claims with structured, “pay as you go” settlements.
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‘Pharmaceutical policy must balance price with supply‘

30 Sep 2026
SA’s pharmaceutical policy must strike a balance between medicine affordability and local industry sustainability, argues industry expert Dr Keele.
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3,8% scheme increase won’t male healthcare more affordable says BHF

30 Sep 2026
The proposed 3.8% guideline for 2027 medical scheme contributionincreases will not make private healthcare more affordable without according to Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) managing director, Dr Katlego Mothudi.
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Health Department calls in SIU’s help

30 Sep 2026
The Health Department has referred allegations of inflated NHI advertising contracts to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and the Public Protector, insisting that independent investigators test claims of diverted funds.
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Diabetes still top cause of death in SA

30 Sep 2026
According to Stats SA’s latest numbers diabetes mellitus was SA’s leading cause of death for the third consecutive year in 2024. Diabetes accounted for 6.1% of registered deaths; followed by hypertensive diseases at 5.5%.
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Ageing HIV-positive population a major healthcare problem

30 Sep 2026
SA’s success in HIV treatment means an ageing HIV-positive population is becoming a major health-system challenge
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Pharma faces billions in costs due to new tariffs

29 Jul 2025
“The pharmaceutical industry is bracing for a significant financial blow, with analysts forecasting costs of between $13bn and $19bn following the revelation that a new transatlantic trade deal will subject branded medicines to a hefty 15% tariff.” – Reuters (28 July 2025)
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Life Healthcare backs collaboration to tackle healthcare crisis

27 Nov 2024
Life Healthcare CEO Peter Wharton-Hood has backed a call for greater collaboration between the government and private healthcare providers to address South Africa’s pressing healthcare challenges. This follows a proposal by Netcare CEO Richard Friedland, who suggested adding healthcare as the fourth pillar in an existing government-business partnership focused on revitalising the economy.
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Discovery Life claims back to pre-Covid levels

19 Apr 2024
“Discovery Life distributed R10.3bn to its clients, a decrease from the R11bn paid the previous year,” reported Business Day (19April 2024)
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