News and Analysis
PHM Statement Against Xenophobia
PHM Statement Against Xenophobia The People’s Health Movement South Africa (PHM-SA) notes with alarm the continued efforts of certain parties to obstruct access to health care facilities across South Africa for foreign nationals and undocumented individuals. Reports of individuals seeking health care services – including women and children –...
How Health Forums Keep Fighting for Justice
Across South Africa, health forum members have continued their work monitoring clinics, identifying systemic failures, responding to emergencies, and addressing structural barriers to healthcare in their communities. This summary reflects the extensive range of activities undertaken between April and June 2025 by eight health forums across South Africa (Kuruman, Bloemfontein, KSD, Mbashe, Witsenberg, Phokwane, Mannenberg and Gugulethu health forums), as reported by health forum leadership during an online national coordination meeting via ZOOM.
MSF/PHM SA technical brief: Removing intellectual property barriers from COVID19 vaccines and treatment for people in South Africa
We would like to share a tech-brief by the Access Campaign and PHM-SA on removing intellectual property barriers from COVID19 vaccines and treatment for people in South Africa. Emphasising how IP barriers can undermine access to medicines, particularly looking at Moderna’s MRNA vaccine and the recently recommended covid-19 medicine Baracitinib....
For Immediate Release: Joint HJI & PHM Press Release on DoH Special Categories
Below is a joint press release by the HJI and PHM in response to Department of Health’s prioritisation of ‘special groups’ circular of 4 July – and subsequent (6 July) withdrawal. For Immediate Release 7 July 2021 Department of Health’s prioritisation of ‘special groups’ circular of 4 July - and subsequent (6 July) withdrawal In a circular...
Our Statement on Zimbabwe Current Crisis
The People’s Health Movement notes with deep concern the political, economic and social crisis engulfing Zimbabwe whose post-Mugabe leadership have abandoned any pretence of democracy. Hopes for a renewal of the economy based on respect for human rights have been dashed by increasing intolerance of criticism and closing down of civil society...
Press Release Clear evidence for restrictions on public transport exists
The following statement was issued by The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa 30thJune 2020 The College of Public Health Medicine Task Team for evidence-based COVID-19 guidance released a guidance documentary in the epidemic on the 22ndMarch 2020 regarding public transport. The Task Team was established to conduct rapid reviews of key priorities...
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR PRINCIPLED CONTRACTING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE COVID-19 HEALTH RESPONSE, AS WELL AS MORE COORDINATION AND TRANSPARENCY
The undersigned civil society organisations welcome the measures put in place by government to combat the spread of COVID-19. The nationwide screening, testing and contact tracing programmes are to be commended. We applaud the Department of Health (DOH) for developing the legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary to provide equitable access...
It is urgent to integrate SA’s private and public healthcare systems now
The following article was written by three members of our steering committee who are Dr Lydia Cairncross, Dr Louis Reynolds, Prof Leslie London together with Russell Rensburg from RHAP. The article was published online by Daily Maverick. As we approach the probable end of the lockdown in its current form, epidemiologists and public health...
The Coronavirus crisis and the struggle for health
The article below was written by our steering commitee member Dr Louis Reynolds, it was published online by the Amandla Media. The Coronavirus crisis and the struggle for health The COVID-19 crisis in South Africa has resulted in welcome signs that our government, at last, is becoming serious about actually governing the country. It acted early...
COVID-19: We need a People-led not Army-enforced Lockdown
The following article was written Dr Lydia Cairncross and Kelly Gillespie. It was published online by the Spotlight During South Africa’s 21-day lockdown we have started to see worrying scenes of police and army officers beating and harassing citizens in the streets. For some this is reminiscent of the days of the State of Emergency under the...