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Four reasons to be hopeful about South Africa’s coronavirus testing plan
In a grim news cycle, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s announcement yesterday that the country is evaluating rapid tests for the new coronavirus is something to celebrate.
Border walls don’t stop viruses. But this might
Both the United States and South Africa have punted increased border security as a way to curb the coronavirus outbreak. Here's why South Africa should be thinking less about walls and more about amnesty as cases mount.
The facts beat the quacks: Our #COVID19SA vs. our #HIV response
Reporting on Covid-19 and HIV in South Africa is like day and night, Mia Malan, who has reported on both epidemics, writes.
The coronavirus outbreak & mental health: What you need to know
Find out what South Africa's coronavirus outbreak means for your mental health and why comfort may be closer than you think.
Body politics: The invisible women of global HIV response
In sub-Saharan Africa, four out of five new infections among adolescents are among girls. But when it comes to the global HIV response, African women and girls are rarely at the fore and the international community often treats the phrase “African” as if it referred to some homogenous community.
Ticket to ride: How the coronavirus outbreak could change air travel
When a pandemic strikes, scientists are left scrambling to find new vaccines to curb it. The latest coronavirus outbreak may become a testing ground for how to roll out new jabs quickly at the most unlikely of places.
Reality check: Women are victims twice over. Here’s why, says Tlaleng Mofokeng
High rates of sexual and gender-based violence and low access to safe abortions prove deadly for South Africa's women, writes activist Tlaleng Mofokeng.
Travel bans are unlikely to stop the new coronavirus, but this might
Find out why global health diplomacy and soft power have a role to play in controlling outbreaks as the world charts more cases of the coronavirus COVID-19.
How US anti-abortion groups are funding South Africa’s ‘pregnancy crisis centres’
In 2018, Bhekisisa investigated anti-abortion pregnancy crisis centres in South Africa. Now, an investigation reveals the US right is backing some centres.
Can China prevent its next epidemic?
China has taken huge steps to control the coronavirus outbreak, but this isn't the country's first outbreak or last. Can it fend off the next one?
Curious about what the National Health Insurance will cover? Then you’ll want to read...
What will the National Health Insurance pay for? It’s the question on everyone’s mind when it comes to the move set to redefine how healthcare is financed and managed in South Africa. We give you a behind-the-scenes look at the development of a framework that will help guide policies in this edited extract from the Health Systems Trust's latest Health Review.
Confused about the NHI? One of SA’s leading health economists breaks it down for...
Think you know what the National Health Insurance is all about? Diane McIntyre is one of South Africa's leading health economists and contributed to policy proposals for an NHI in the country. She explains how the NHI may change how healthcare is funded and delivered in South Africa in this edited extract from the Health Systems Trust's 2020 edition of its annual South African Health Review.
The world finally has an Ebola vaccine. This is why it’s not enough
The World Health Organisation prequalified Merck's vaccine for widespread use in November but regulatory hoops are just a small part of the fight to get the jab to the places that need it most.
Employed vs. unemployed: Who is more likely to test HIV positive?
You’re far more likely to be offered an HIV test at a government health facility than at your GP or workplace clinic. Here’s why — and what the consequences are.
GMO babies: Inside the bad science that sent a Chinese scientist to prison.
He Jiankui’s failed gene-edited baby experiment proves we're not ready for human embryo modification.
Three things that will shape the national health insurance here … and beyond
Most governments in Africa agree: national health insurances are key to universal healthcare. Will growing private equity investments help make it happen?