News and analysis

The race for a COVID vaccine has four candidates nearing the finish line — with some getting ready to roll out before the end of the year. But what do the reported efficacy results actually mean and how much will doses cost? We break it down.

Go behind the accusations that led to his resignation this week in this story from our archives.

In the United States, the end of national abortion rights could be closer than we think. In South Africa, laws to permit terminations don’t have to be in trouble – people struggle to get abortions anyway.

The United States government has appointed the first African head of its Aids fund, Pepfar. John Nkengasong, a Cameroonian virologist with US citizenship, will need to establish the potential impact of America’s change in abortion legislation on Pepfar funding rules.

Benny Malakoane ‘did an excellent job’ despite tales of fraud, dismissals and hospitals in crisis.

Studies show that feeding programmes at schools not only reduce stunting, but also combat obesity and lead to increased enrolment in schools.

Newer, lifesaving drugs for South Africa's "silent" killer aren't yet available in the country.

This implant offers all the protection from unwanted pregnancies with almost none of the clinic visits. So why did many say, ‘thanks, but no thanks’?

Almost half of South Africans don’t have running water in their homes. Here’s why it’s time to ask them how to control the country’s surge in coronavirus cases.

Children between the ages of 5 and 11 are given smaller doses of the Pfizer vaccine than adults. That means the government will have to buy new vials and new needles for the vaccine programme to vaccinate this group which the health department doesn’t have the money to do.

South Africa’s Constitution makes food a human right, but 11% of the country’s people are hungry. Here’s why.

Life-saving HIV drugs were allegedly diverted from Africa's public health system to sell in Europe.

"The cost of this Bosasa looting has been paid by immigrants detained in inhumane and undignified conditions at Lindela", the DA says.

Activists say police actions in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga are increasingly frequent and may be retaliation for recent civil society actions.

COVID-19 brought the public and private health sectors together. But while the estranged bedfellows were making amends in the Western Cape, looting of COVID-19 relief money may have further eroded the trust of a vital third party — the public — in the government’s ability to protect the National Health Insurance Fund.

Is a lack of competition fuelling unnecessary care at your expense?