Health Department tables budget that targets infrastructure and staffing
This comes amid pressure to prepare the system for National Health Insurance and address backlogs worsened by corrupt spending and population growth.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi discussed the department's priorities and spending plans with eNCA.
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The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Health minister calls for bold action as TB vaccine nears reality
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not only South Africa but countries around the world. 'We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,' he said on Thursday. The minister was delivering the keynote address at the country's TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop in Johannesburg. The workshop aims to advance policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines. Protecting the most vulnerable Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi said the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also support the fight against HIV and Aids. For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine to protect children from TB, but the minister pointed out that there has been no tool to protect adolescents and adults. 'These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB,' he said. With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years. The workshop positioned South Africa as one of the first countries ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults. Ending 'slavery' of disease The minister expressed confidence that upcoming trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups. TB remains a leading cause of death from infectious disease and a major contributor to poor health both locally and globally. 'Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,' he said, likening it to 'the day of true freedom from slavery' for those affected. Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of 'devastating slavery' that fuels poverty and premature death. 'South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.' Commitment to readiness The minister used the country's first national gathering on TB vaccine readiness to reaffirm South Africa's leadership in the global fight against TB and HIV. 'When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,' he said. He noted that throughout his tenure, he has sought to elevate TB on the global health agenda, recalling his 2018 address at the United Nations calling for world leaders to act. 'While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,' he said. He also acknowledged the devastating impact of TB on communities already battling HIV. Systems, trust and investment 'Today's discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.' Motsoaledi emphasised the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout, saying the agenda highlighted key areas such as evidence generation, delivery systems, and supply chain readiness. 'Investment in human life means everything,' he said, calling for strong financial backing and stakeholder support. He urged participants to build community trust and advocate for broad acceptance of the new vaccine. 'We must walk the path with our people,' he said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Motsoaledi urges innovation to end TB
Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not just South Africa but also countries around the world. 'We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,' he said on Thursday. The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the country's TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop held in Johannesburg. The workshop is aimed at advancing policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines. Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi stated that the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also enhance the ongoing fight against HIV and Aids. For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine to protect its children from TB, but the Minister pointed out that there has been no tool that can protect adolescents and adults. 'These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB.' With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years. This workshop positioned the country as one of the first that is ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults. The Minister expressed confidence that the upcoming clinical trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups within the next few years. TB is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease and a major contributor to ill-health in South Africa and globally. 'Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,' he said, likening it to 'the day of true freedom from slavery' for those suffering from the disease. Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of 'devastating slavery' that exacerbates poverty and leads to premature death. 'South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.' The Minister has used the first national gathering dedicated to the TB vaccine readiness platform to reiterate South Africa's commitment to lead by example in the global fight against TB and HIV. 'When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,' he said. He told the attendees that through his tenure as Health Minister, he consistently sought to elevate the profile of TB on a global scale. Motsoaledi recalled his 2018 address at the United Nations, where he rallied for world leaders to commit to addressing the TB crisis. 'While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,' he said. He also acknowledged the disease's severe impact on communities already struggling with HIV. 'Today's discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.' He also used the platform to emphasise the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout of the TB vaccine. The agenda for the workshop highlighted key thematic areas crucial for readiness, including generating evidence for policy and investment, strengthening delivery systems for TB vaccines, and ensuring manufacturing and supply chain readiness. 'Investment in human life means everything,' he said, stressing the need for robust financial backing to ensure effective vaccine deployment. The Minister took the time to urge stakeholders to foster community trust and strong advocacy to ensure widespread acceptance of the TB vaccine upon its introduction. 'We must walk the path with our people,' he said. –
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Reality check for the working class: who really pays for NHI?
Both the poor and the wealthy will have to pay for NHI. It will not be as free as government makes it out to be. Do you think the working class will not pay for the National Health Insurance (NHI)? As government presses ahead with implementing the controversial fund, a difficult question needs to be asked: who will pay the real price? Contrary to popular belief, it is not the wealthy elite who will be hardest hit but South Africa's working class, Thoneshan Naidoo CEO of the Health Funders Association (HFA), warns. 'Medical scheme members are often painted as a privileged minority but the truth is very different. Of the 9.1 million South Africans on medical schemes, more than 6 million (68%) are black and up to 83% of employed members earn under R37 500 per month. 'They are teachers, nurses, police officers, civil servants and union members, the engine of South Africa's economy. These South Africans make extraordinary sacrifices to secure access to healthcare. Medical schemes are not luxury products and working families are stretching their disposable income to protect themselves and their families. 'Of the 9.1 million beneficiaries, 4.1 million are employed and form a critical part of the country's taxpayer base. In fact, medical scheme members pay an estimated 74% of South Africa's personal income tax, amounting to nearly R443 billion in government revenue. These same members also contribute significantly to VAT and other taxes.' ALSO READ: Experts warn NHI is economic suicide Free NHI at the point of service, but who pays? Government promises that the NHI will provide comprehensive, high-quality care for all – free at the point of service. But at what cost? According to an economic feasibility study by Genesis Analytics, achieving this vision would require personal income taxes to more than double. Taxes would have to increase to 2.2 times the current average rate and healthcare would consume 33% of the national budget. In less efficient scenarios this could mean tripling taxes and health expenditure consuming up to 44% of the budget. Naidoo says this is based on the unrealistic assumption that tax increases would be entirely directed to healthcare and that there would be no additional allocations for other urgent social needs such as education, social grants and service delivery. Even under a shared resources scenario, Naidoo warns that where total healthcare spending remains at today's R532 billion, personal income taxes would still have to increase by almost 50%, while taxpayers would receive substantially less. Benefit levels would be 43% to 65% lower than the promised comprehensive scenario, he says. 'In short, taxpayers would pay more and get less – less than they currently receive if they are medical scheme members and much less than what has been promised for the scope of NHI services.' ALSO READ: Health funders also heading to court about NHI Act What about section 33 of the NHI Act that prohibits medical aid? A lot has been said about section 33 of the NHI Act that the president signed last year. This section prohibits medical schemes from covering any service that the NHI claims to offer. Naidoo says this means that even if you have the means and willingness to buy private cover, you will be barred from doing so if the service is theoretically offered by the NHI. 'Rather than universal access, this is universal restriction and the result is likely to be delays, rationing and deteriorating health outcomes, with no alternative safety net.' And who will bear the brunt? The working class, Naidoo says. He warns that the NHI Act risks collapsing the very system that currently supports our healthcare infrastructure. 'For the 3.4 million low and middle-income medical scheme members, the impact will be devastating. The NHI Act's funding model is built on their shoulders through higher taxes, the removal of the medical tax credit and reduced access to care.' Healthcare cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader economy, Naidoo says. 'Draining all available funding into a single centralised system without the infrastructure or capacity to deliver, jeopardises not only health outcomes but also jobs, investment and growth.' ALSO READ: NHI regulations 'prematurely' published with legislation not proclaimed yet 43% reduction in medical care for scheme members under NHI He points out that even in the best case shared resources scenario modelled by Genesis, medical scheme beneficiaries would see a 43% reduction in access to care. 'Combined with the ban on supplementary cover, the state will actively prevent people from protecting their own families.' Naidoo cautions that healthcare rationing will become the norm. 'This is not speculation. It is already happening. Public hospitals face routine medicine stockouts, long surgery waitlists and severe staff shortages. In Gauteng, thousands of cancer patients were denied timely radiation therapy, with devastating consequences. When care is rationed, lives are lost.' Section 33 of the NHI Act risks deepening these crises, he says. 'It removes a vital layer of protection for millions. Blocking people from using their own resources to access care is not equity, but rather forced dependency.' However, there is a better way: reform, not ruin, Naidoo says. 'South Africa's constitution guarantees everyone the right to access healthcare. Our courts have recognised the vital role medical schemes play in realising this right. That does not mean collapsing what works, it means improving what does not.' ALSO READ: DTIC plan to implement only some Health Market Inquiry recommendations 'illegal'? Health Market Inquiry Medical schemes are not perfect and reform is essential. Fortunately, Naidoo says, the blueprint exists. The Health Market Inquiry, initiated by the Competition Commission, laid out clear steps to improve affordability, transparency and efficiency in the private sector that include: A supply side (healthcare providers and facilities) regulator for health to oversee negotiated fair reimbursement levels; A risk adjustment mechanism, where medical schemes with higher-than-average risk profiles receive funds through an appropriate mechanism from those with lower-than-average risk profiles, to level the playing field; Standardised benefit packages; Better governance structures to ensure efficient use of resources. ALSO READ: Implementing recommendations of Health Market Inquiry good idea – experts These steps will ensure more and better medical care for all Implementing these reforms in a holistic and integrated manner would strengthen the role of medical schemes in a fairer, more accountable health system without tearing down what is working for millions, Naidoo says. 'Most importantly, these improvements could be implemented now, without the massive fiscal burden of a centralised NHI that requires impossible tax increases. The Health Funders Association proposed an alternative, a hybrid multi-fund model that preserves the public private mix, ensures income cross subsidisation and gradually expands coverage. 'This model is based on the NHI Fund working with medical schemes to expand access to healthcare and incorporates key Competition Commission recommendations and would protect the vulnerable while preserving choice and quality. 'South Africa can achieve universal health coverage without banning the opportunity to purchase supplementary cover, overtaxing workers or dismantling functioning systems. The working class has more than paid its share. The question South Africa must ask now is whether government will listen and build a better system or press ahead regardless of the cost.'
