- In the past three decades, South African health has faced Aids denialism, tuberculosis (TB) battles, COVID-19, administrative scandals.
- But the country also had big wins: rolling out antiretrovirals to millions of people with HIV, stricter rules about smoking, decriminalising sex work, making abortions safe and legal.
- There’s still lots to tackle. Climate change is the biggest health threat of the century, we’ve not beaten HIV yet, TB remains the leading killer disease in the country, overweight and obesity is a big problem, and service delivery is limping along.
- In this month’s Health Beat, we look back with those who’ve seen the struggles and solutions — and ask them what it means for the future of healthcare in South Africa
In today’s newsletter, the Health Beat team looks at 30 years of democratic healthcare. Sign up.
Mia Malan is the founder and editor-in-chief of Bhekisisa. She has worked in newsrooms in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Washington, DC, winning more than 30 awards for her radio, print and television work.
Jessica Pitchford is Bhekisisa's TV and multimedia editor. She's been a journalist since the early nineties and has reported on some pivotal events in South Africa’s political history, such as the country’s transition to democracy and the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
