Health

 

Medical aid board says SA has no choice but to back NHI

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South Africa’s healthcare system is not merely unviable or unsustainable, “it is at the brink of collapse” if the government does not intervene, says the Board of Healthcare Funders, which represents most medical aid schemes in the country.

“People are paying contributions to their medical schemes that are higher than inflation,” Humphrey Zokufa, who heads the board, said on Tuesday at a media briefing in Johannesburg.

He said that people have to pay copayments and their benefits run out. In addition, the pool of insured people is not increasing and those who are insured are ageing.

“In a situation like this, government has no option but to intervene, and that intervention is taking the form of the National Health Insurance [NHI].”

The NHI is a plan for significant reforms to the public and private health sectors and aims to make affordable healthcare available to all South Africans by pooling money from various sources, such as the Road Accident Fund
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What the National Health Insurance means for you & your pocket

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Two Bills, almost 200 pages may change healthcare forever in SA. Haven’t read them? We did the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Love it or hate it: The country continues to move forward with introducing its universal healthcare scheme the National Health Insurance (NHI). – see photo below video

Last week, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi introduced the draft Medical Schemes Amendment Bill and NHI Bill in Pretoria. The new legislation proposes significant changes to the way healthcare is funded and managed that could have far-reaching effects on you, your family and your pocket book.

Take a look at some of the proposals that have the minister already gearing up to go to court. Then watch to hear how the minister plans to make the most of your unspent premiums as the Council for Medical Schemes plans to lower the mandatory amount schemes hold in reserve to free up more cash for health.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2gwAu3scp0&feature=youtu.be
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ANOTHER DISASTER COMING OUR WAY – The proposed National Health Insurance plan

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ANOTHER DISASTER COMING OUR WAY - The proposed National Health Insurance plan

The proposed National Health Insurance plan of Cyril Ramaphosa and Aaron Motsoaledi is probably one of the disasters proposed by the ANC which will have the biggest impact on the lives of ordinary South Africans. Apart from the fact that the current state medical care systems are already basically non-functional, which we all know, everybody..
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I see a bad moon rising – ANC has embarked on a policy path of radical populism in order to stay in power

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I see a bad moon rising - ANC has embarked on a policy path of radical populism in order to stay in power

There’s no doubt any more that the ruling ANC has embarked on a policy path of radical populism in order to stay in power in the next and possibly several more national elections. It has stolen most of the radical ideas from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaving its leader Julius Malema with only pure..
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Medical Schemes Act & NHI:- Motsoaledi outlines changes

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Two of the proposed amendments to the Medical Schemes Act will do away with co-payments, and abolish the practice of using brokers within the medical schemes environment.

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said co-payments mean that the scheme pays a portion of the bill that a provider – be it hospital or private doctor – charges to a patient. The rest of the funds are supposed to be paid by the patient from their own pocket.

“The amendment means that every cent charged to the patient must be settled fully by the scheme and the patient should not be burdened with having to pay. There are people who will scream that this amendment is outrageous and calculated to destroy medical schemes and leave beneficiaries with nothing. I want to assure you that this was well thought out,” he said.

According to data at the department’s disposal, medical schemes are holding close to R60bn in unused reserves. While there is a statutory requirement that me
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Hospital operate without Lights,Toilet Papers,Panado, and Pain Killers

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Hellen Franz Hospital at Blouberg Municipality ka Limpopo must be placed under Administration,how can a Hospital operate without Lights,Toilet Papers,Panado, and Pain Killers..?

We can not allow ANC’s Phophi Ramathuba and her incompetent Managers to continue with killing of our people,this Hospital is now a Mortuary coz even if you go there with scratched finger,you won’t last for two days,you’ll die like a sick Mosquito,many people died here due to negligent of incompetent staff..!!

This ANC Government with it’s Phophi are taking our people for a ride,she must resign together with Onica Moloi on Friday, otherwise she has to be charged for #genocide ,how can a hospital operate with candles..,in this winter,how can you allow patients to bath with Cold Water..?

Actually,where is DA and other opposition parties in this regard,,are they visiting these kinds of hospitals or just waiting for the 2019 Votes;who shall vote coz many lives shall be lost by then..?

Mr
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National Health Insurance could see mass emigration of SA doctors

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National Health Insurance could see mass emigration of SA doctors

With doctors already a scarce resource in South Africa, the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) legislation could see a large number of medical professionals skip the country. Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi presented the controversial bill last week, along with the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill which, if implemented, could see a huge shakeup in both..
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SA signs innovation agreement with Novartis

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A high-level memorandum of understanding (MoU) for medical research and development has been signed between the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the department of science and technology (DST) and Swiss drug firm, Novartis.

The MoU, a public private partnership (PPP), aims to establish a framework for potential cooperation between the parties. This will allow for joint research programmes in selected communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD), improve South African patients’ access to innovative medicines and build up the research & development capabilities and ecosystem in South Africa and Africa.

“Public private partnerships, such as what we are about to embark on, are catalysts that enhance our scientific research and innovation capabilities. These partnerships are visionary and aim to change lives in the present and future,” said Professor Richard Gordon, SAMRC’s executive director: grants, innovation and product development (GIPD
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Allegations of fraud at UKZN medical school – Sama Responds

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The South African Medical Association (Sama) has called on the department of education to act swiftly to deal with allegations of fraud and corruption at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

This comes amid allegations that certain members of the community, and some staff members from the UKZN, fraudulently sold students places for admission to the school of medicine. There are also allegations that examination papers are being sold at the university.

“We are extremely concerned about these allegations and call upon the ministry of education to investigate them quickly and effectively. If any staff members are found to be complicit in these activities they must be dealt with decisively. In addition, the leadership of the university must be held accountable, and explain how such a scandalous situation could have occurred in the first place,” said Dr Mzukisi Grootboom, chairperson of Sama.

He said if found to be t
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New drug Actemra approved for giant cell arteritis

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This drug has been approved to treat adults who suffer from a type of inflammation of the blood vessels.

The injected drug Actemra (tocilizumab) has previously been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat rheumatoid arthritis in people who haven’t responded to or who cannot tolerated other approved rheumatoid arthritis medication, Health24 reported.

Actemra has now been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with giant cell arteritis, an inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).

In a media release, the FDA said this form of vasculitis mostly involves blood vessels of the head. Traditional therapy includes large doses of anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids.

To be used ‘with caution’

“We expedited the development and review of this application because [Actemra] fulfils a critical need for patients with this serious disease who had limited treatment options,” said Dr Badrul Chowdhury, director of th
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Medici medical app launches in South Africa

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A medical app, Medici, that is said to be revolutionising the doctor-patient relationship, is now available in South Africa. The next-generation secure messaging app enables users to communicate virtually with medical providers via text, call, or video.

Originally launched in the U.S., the app hosts an array of practitioners including family physicians, paediatricians, dermatologists, dentists, mental health providers, nutritionists, dieticians and even veterinarians, providing a more convenient and modernised method of consultation to suit all healthcare needs.

App users will receive a consultation receipt so that patients are able to claim back from their medical aid provider. Patients who aren’t covered by a medical aid will also benefit from the app as a result of the consultation fee being significantly lower than traditional examinations.

Partnerships

Medici Africa has partnered with Dr Michael Mol and Hello Doctor, already servicing
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Pool-Linked Infection Doubles in 2 Years

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Families seeking to cool off don’t expect to pick up a nasty infection. Yet, outbreaks of a diarrhea-causing parasitic infection have doubled in recent years at swimming pools and water playgrounds in the United States, health officials warn.

At least 32 outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis were reported in 2016, compared with 16 outbreaks in 2014, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Crypto is the most common cause of diarrhea, the CDC says. It spreads when people come in contact with the feces of an infected person.

Otherwise healthy people can be sick for up to three weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, the CDC warns. The infection can become life-threatening in people with compromised immune systems.

The cause? Adults or children sick with crypto-caused diarrhea are swimming in public pools despite their illness and further spreading the parasite, said Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC’s
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The Health Department might be sued over proposed NHI changes

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‘I can’t mention who are the parties I am expecting litigation from but I can assure I know who they are. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is preparing to be taken to court as he continues to propose changes in the healthcare system that could cost medical aid schemes millions.

Motsoaledi introduced the draft Medical Schemes Amendment Bill and National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill in Pretoria this week. The new legislation proposes significant changes to the way healthcare is funded and managed, including abolishing co-payments, prescribed minimum benefits and waiting periods for medical aid cover.

Medical aid schemes currently hold about R 60-billion in reserve — an amount almost 10% higher than what is statutorily required, said Motsoaledi speaking at a Pretoria press conference.

“These huge reserves were accumulated partly through high premiums but also by introducing the co-payments such that medical schemes avoid having to pay or even dip into the
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Doctor pleads for heaters for babies, gets departmental threats

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A Limpopo hospital is in such a state of disrepair that a doctor has taken to begging for donations to improve conditions for patients.

This act of caring, however, has led to the department coming down on him with threats of disciplinary action.

Patients at the WF Knobel Hospital in Ga-Matlala outside Polokwane have to brave icy winter nights sleeping in wards with broken windows, leading doctor LE Rambuwane to write a letter urging people to help him raise R15 000 to buy and install 50 heaters in the paediatric wards.

“It is with great sadness and embarrassment having to write this letter to you,” his letter starts.

“I serve in a public hospital, which lacks many things, and with very little support from the powers that be…” it continues, before his plea for the public to donate.

He hoped to raise R15 000, which would be used to buy heaters to be mounted in the paediatric wards. At the moment, he said, the patients were waiting with bated bre
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Nuwe gesondheidsorg in die vooruitsig

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Die afskaffing van bybetalings op mediese dienste is een van die aanbevelings van die voorgestelde wet op mediese dienste.

Volgens Aaron Motsoaelidi, minister van gesondheid, kan slegs 10% van die bevolking private gesondheidsorg bekostig en moet dit onmiddelik reggestel word.

Tussengangers gaan ook afgeskaf word om te verseker dat lede direk gelde aan die mediese fondse betaal. Die rykes moet nou die armes subsidieer en die jonger geslag moet die ouer geslag help en die gesonde mense moet die siek mense subsidieer. Hy sluit af deur te sê dat die oorskakeling ‘n massiewe reorganisasie van die totale gesondheidsorg stelsel  gaan wees, beide privaat en openbaar.

Medici sê mense sterf daagliks in staatshospitale, diefstal van mediese voorraad en toerusting is aan die orde van die dag.  Instandhouding van toerusting bestaan nie en personeel se betalings is agterstallig.  Die totale gesondheidsorg van die staat is in chaos en al uitweg is dat privaat mediese
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