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The refusal to allow the cruise ship to dock in Cape Verde is an expression of the post-Covid-19 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from which the world suffers. Photo: Cruisemapper
ANDES STRAIN

Hantavirus strain confirmed

The outbreak has entered a more serious phase after authorities confirmed that two cases detected in SA involve the Andes variant

  • Hasina Kathrada
7 min read
New research shows a steep decline in adolescent pregnancy rates across all nine provinces from 2021 to 2025, reversing course from previous years. It’s good news, even if it’s not clear why it’s happening. (Unsplash)
BIRTH RATES AMONG TEENS

Teen pregnancies are dramatically dropping. But researchers aren’t sure why

New research shows a steep decline in adolescent pregnancy rates across all nine provinces from 2021 to 2025, reversing course from previous years. It’s good news, even if it’s…

  • Tanya Pampalone
8 min read
The Hawks has served warrants of arrests against director general at the department of health Sandile Buthelezi and two other senior officials,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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

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

  • MG Reporter
1 min read
Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi.
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.…

  • MG Reporter
1 min read
Members of Operation Dudula prevented people from other African countries from using South African health facilities. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G
2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

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…

  • Mandisa Makgakga
4 min read
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)
AYANDA BAM

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

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.
AARON MOTSOALEDI

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

  • Editorial
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)
AI

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)
CHILDBIRTH

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

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

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

  • UNFPA
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.
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
While the country continues to debate the future of healthcare reform through National Health Insurance (NHI), millions of South Africans are dealing with a far more immediate reality which is the rising cost of accessing care today
BOARD OF HEALTHCARE FUNDER

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

  • Chris Bateman
10 min read
Joe Phaahla. (Photo by Jaco Marais/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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
BARBARA HOGAN

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

  • Chris Bateman
8 min read
In South Africa, lack of adherence to HIV treatment remains a problem.
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE WORKER

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 &…

  • Zeenat Abdool
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)
FAKE DOCTOR

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)
SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION TRADE UNION SAMATU

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

  • Mandisa Ndlovu
3 min read
suicide as the fourth Death by suicide is the fourth highest cause of death among men aged 15 to 24 in South Africa. Graphic: John McCann/M&G
10 OCTOBER

Mental illness costs SA billions

Shame and stigma, as well as the lack of facilities, are barriers to healing, experts say

  • Mandisa Ndlovu
7 min read
Photo by Umamah Bakharia
BURIAL

62 Joburg fire corpses still unidentified

City officials this week started raiding buildings that have been hijacked in an effort to curb illegal occupation

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read