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August 2016 News Archive


 

GEMS is financially sound

An article published in Business Day, Monday, 22 August 2016, which questions the financial sustainability of GEMS, is totally misleading and has caused unnecessary concern for the members of the Scheme, as well as for healthcare service providers and other stakeholders.  Read more>  

NHI paper due by year's end

The White Paper on National Health Insurance (NHI) will be finalised and presented to the Cabinet before the end of the year, according to Vishal Brijlal, a health economist who heads one of the NHI work streams set up by the Department of Health to consider the future role of medical schemes. Read more>

Alternative organisation to compete with BHF

As the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) held its annual conference in Cape Town this week under the banner "A roadmap to Universal Healthcare", sources said an alternative organisation representing schemes and their administrators was in the process of being established and was expected to be launched this year. Read more>

India's vital role as supplier of generic HIV/Aids drugs under threat

Scientists and activists have raised the alarm about policy changes in India, which they say threaten its role as the world's leading supplier of generic HIV/AIDS drugs. India supplies more than 80 percent of the generic AIDS drugs used in the developing world. Read more>

Patent war driving cost of HIV drugs

ALTHOUGH HIV drug prices have declined significantly, international humanitarian organisation, Medècins Sans Frontierés (MSF) has warned that future declines are under threat. Read more>

Aspen expands in China as it targets global growth

Aspen Pharmacare plans to increase its Chinese presence as Africa's biggest maker of generic drugs ramps up distribution of its low-cost pharmaceuticals in the world's most populous country. Read more>

Private sector must reign in Zokufa


On June 28, at a media conference co-organised by the Department of Health, Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) chairman Dr Humphrey Zokufa, in support of National Health Insurance (NHI), commented: "If we want to see economic growth and the implementation of the National Development Plan, we need to change the paradigm. Read more>

Stellenbosch laboratory to give medics a cutting edge

A new clinical training laboratory launched at Stellenbosch University is set to revolutionise the training of healthcare professionals throughout Africa. The R120-million Sunskill Laboratory, based at the university's Tygerberg campus, will provide trainees with exposure to cutting-edge procedural techniques through simulation of a real-world operating environment. Read more>

Aids drug makers say state can ease pressure

Local pharmaceutical companies need greater guarantees of state contracts if they are to satisfy investors and ensure sustainable supplies of AIDS drugs, according to Cipla SA CEO, Paul Miller. Read more>

Bill Gates warns HIV among young Africans can reverse progress

AFRICA is chronically under-prepared for the looming challenge of the "demographic bulge" and its impact on HIV, philanthropist Bill Gates said at the International AIDS Conference in Durban on yesterday. Read more>

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