News and Analysis

Media Statement: Current Human Rights Situation in Zimbabwe

The People’s Health Movement of South Africa (PHM-SA) notes with deep concern the reports of denial of access to emergency health care for people injured following protests against the Zimbabwe government’s recent fuel price hikes. Security forces have treated peaceful protests, which are protected as a human right for people across the world,...

Building Grassroots Activism for a People’s NHI

The People’s Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA) ran a workshop on the National Health Insurance (NHI) for the Movement for Change and Social Justice (MCSJ) in Gugulethu on 23 November 2018. There were approximately 25 activists who brought their questions to find out more about the NHI and what they should do about it. The workshop explained...

PHM-SA Submission on National Health Insurance Bill

The People's Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA) submitted its comments on the National Health Insurance Bill, 2018, to the National Department of Health on 21 September 2018.  PHM-SA finds it regrettable that the public comment period was not extended beyond 21 September as requested by many stakeholders in order to allow more time for...

Critique of Five Funding Streams for NHI in Minister of Health’s Presentation at PHASA Conference

By Leslie London The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, gave a presentation on the National Health Insurance (NHI) at the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) Conference on 12 September 2018. Although the Minister reaffirmed a commitment to a Single-payer system in his presentation, he once again referred to the need to...

Can the NHI achieve Health for All?

[This article first appeared in The Pulse, September 2018 Edition, newsletter of the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA)] By Leslie London Affiliations: School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, and People’s Health Movement Nothing in the health sector has captured the public eye more systematically over...

Press Release: We welcome a Listeriosis-free country, but we call for affordable nutritious fresh foods

The People's Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA) welcomes the announcement by the Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on Monday 3 September 2018, that South Africa is now listeriosis-free. The outbreak confirms that we need strong legislation with adequately-resourced monitoring and enforcement to ensure the prevention of disease. We want to...

ICESCR Joint Civil Society Submission on South Africa: Health Rights, Issues and Recommendations

A joint civil society submission on "Health Rights, Issues and Recommendations"  in South Africa has been made to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) by the People's Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA) in collaboration with various health organisations and interested parties. This submission is endorsed...