Spotlight
@spotlightnsp.bsky.social
In-depth, public interest health journalism from South Africa. Reporting and analysis on TB, HIV, NCDs, health systems, and much more. www.SpotlightNSP.co.za
OVERCOMING DISRUPTION | As World AIDS Day 2025 swings by, Professor Salim Abdool Karim reflects on the frantic days following the unprecedented US cuts to health aid and research funding, arguing that the deliberate disruptiveness was designed to be cruel.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/26/s...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/26/s...
Salim Abdool Karim | Transforming adversity into opportunity for the AIDS response
As World AIDS Day 2025 swings by, CAPRISA Director Professor Salim Abdool Karim reflects on the frantic days following this year’s unprecedented cuts to health aid and research funding from the US, ar...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 AM
OVERCOMING DISRUPTION | As World AIDS Day 2025 swings by, Professor Salim Abdool Karim reflects on the frantic days following the unprecedented US cuts to health aid and research funding, arguing that the deliberate disruptiveness was designed to be cruel.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/26/s...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/26/s...
Reposted by Spotlight
THE HISTORY OF HIV | Explore four decades of the HIV story, from the first cases to breakthroughs in prevention, science, and South Africa’s fight against the virus: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/25/a...
TIMELINE | The journey of HIV through science, struggle, activism, and hope
From the first reported cases of HIV in 1981 to the latest breakthroughs in long-acting prevention, this Spotlight timeline traces key moments in the global and South African response to the virus. It...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 AM
THE HISTORY OF HIV | Explore four decades of the HIV story, from the first cases to breakthroughs in prevention, science, and South Africa’s fight against the virus: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/25/a...
THE HISTORY OF HIV | Explore four decades of the HIV story, from the first cases to breakthroughs in prevention, science, and South Africa’s fight against the virus: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/25/a...
TIMELINE | The journey of HIV through science, struggle, activism, and hope
From the first reported cases of HIV in 1981 to the latest breakthroughs in long-acting prevention, this Spotlight timeline traces key moments in the global and South African response to the virus. It...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 AM
THE HISTORY OF HIV | Explore four decades of the HIV story, from the first cases to breakthroughs in prevention, science, and South Africa’s fight against the virus: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/25/a...
Reposted by Spotlight
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | We explain in this special briefing that self-screening tests are part of South Africa's HIV response on paper, but in reality, the tests are massively underutilised.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
#InTheSpotlight | Why government should provide more free HIV self-tests
It is estimated that around half a million people living with HIV in South Africa don’t know they are living with the virus. One way to help these people is by offering them the means to test themselv...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | We explain in this special briefing that self-screening tests are part of South Africa's HIV response on paper, but in reality, the tests are massively underutilised.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
Reposted by Spotlight
Excellent piece by Catherine Tomlinson. @sahivsoc.bsky.social @unaids.org
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | We explain in this special briefing that self-screening tests are part of South Africa's HIV response on paper, but in reality, the tests are massively underutilised.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
#InTheSpotlight | Why government should provide more free HIV self-tests
It is estimated that around half a million people living with HIV in South Africa don’t know they are living with the virus. One way to help these people is by offering them the means to test themselv...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Excellent piece by Catherine Tomlinson. @sahivsoc.bsky.social @unaids.org
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | We explain in this special briefing that self-screening tests are part of South Africa's HIV response on paper, but in reality, the tests are massively underutilised.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
#InTheSpotlight | Why government should provide more free HIV self-tests
It is estimated that around half a million people living with HIV in South Africa don’t know they are living with the virus. One way to help these people is by offering them the means to test themselv...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | We explain in this special briefing that self-screening tests are part of South Africa's HIV response on paper, but in reality, the tests are massively underutilised.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
Reposted by Spotlight
TAKING STOCK OF NHI | It seems likely that in 2026, the courts will have to make one or more landmark rulings that will determine the future of NHI. Find out more: tinyurl.com/u9tv9jf9
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
TAKING STOCK OF NHI | It seems likely that in 2026, the courts will have to make one or more landmark rulings that will determine the future of NHI. Find out more: tinyurl.com/u9tv9jf9
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
MUST READ | From a childhood fascination with science and sport to a mission to “democratise” technology with innovative and affordable rehabilitation solutions. Spotlight sat down with Associate Professor Yumna Albertus.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/21/w...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/21/w...
“What's the point of top tech sitting in labs?” UCT’s Yumna Albertus is on a mission to turn science into social impact
What started as a childhood fascination with science and sport has grown into a mission to “democratise” technology with innovative, affordable rehabilitation solutions for people with limited resourc...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 21, 2025 at 8:59 AM
MUST READ | From a childhood fascination with science and sport to a mission to “democratise” technology with innovative and affordable rehabilitation solutions. Spotlight sat down with Associate Professor Yumna Albertus.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/21/w...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/21/w...
TAKING STOCK OF NHI | It seems likely that in 2026, the courts will have to make one or more landmark rulings that will determine the future of NHI. Find out more: tinyurl.com/u9tv9jf9
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
TAKING STOCK OF NHI | It seems likely that in 2026, the courts will have to make one or more landmark rulings that will determine the future of NHI. Find out more: tinyurl.com/u9tv9jf9
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
A few months ago we published this on access to new gono meds in South Africa https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/06/02/the-current-gonorrhoea-meds-might-stop-working-when-will-newer-ones-make-it-to-sa/
The sexually transmitted disease #gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
Countries need to
🛡️ Strengthen surveillance
🔬 Improve diagnostic capacity
💊 Ensure equitable access to new treatments for sexually transmitted infections
https://bit.ly/3XAo8we
Countries need to
🛡️ Strengthen surveillance
🔬 Improve diagnostic capacity
💊 Ensure equitable access to new treatments for sexually transmitted infections
https://bit.ly/3XAo8we
November 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM
A few months ago we published this on access to new gono meds in South Africa https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/06/02/the-current-gonorrhoea-meds-might-stop-working-when-will-newer-ones-make-it-to-sa/
Reposted by Spotlight
One of the best parts of attending conferences like the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society's is hearing about great projects like Sihamba Kunye.
If you need a dose of good news today, give this story a read.
If you need a dose of good news today, give this story a read.
Many mothers and their babies have to visit the clinic more than 10 times in the first 6 months. Early findings suggests we can get this down to 5. The hope is that the new approach will also reduce mother-to-baby HIV transmission. @elri-voigt.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/19/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/19/i...
Integrating health services for mom and baby could reduce clinic visits by half
In South Africa, many mothers and their babies have to visit the clinic more than 10 times in the first six months of the postnatal period. Early findings from an ongoing implementation science projec...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
One of the best parts of attending conferences like the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society's is hearing about great projects like Sihamba Kunye.
If you need a dose of good news today, give this story a read.
If you need a dose of good news today, give this story a read.
The rise of ultra-processed foods in human diets is damaging public health, fuelling chronic diseases worldwide, and deepening health inequalities. Addressing this challenge requires a unified global response, according to a new @thelancet.com series. Read more: www.thelancet.com/series-do/ul...
Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health
This 3-paper Series reviews the evidence about the increase in ultra-processed foods in diets globally and highlights the association with many non-communicable diseases. This rise in ultra-processed ...
www.thelancet.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
The rise of ultra-processed foods in human diets is damaging public health, fuelling chronic diseases worldwide, and deepening health inequalities. Addressing this challenge requires a unified global response, according to a new @thelancet.com series. Read more: www.thelancet.com/series-do/ul...
Many mothers and their babies have to visit the clinic more than 10 times in the first 6 months. Early findings suggests we can get this down to 5. The hope is that the new approach will also reduce mother-to-baby HIV transmission. @elri-voigt.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/19/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/19/i...
Integrating health services for mom and baby could reduce clinic visits by half
In South Africa, many mothers and their babies have to visit the clinic more than 10 times in the first six months of the postnatal period. Early findings from an ongoing implementation science projec...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Many mothers and their babies have to visit the clinic more than 10 times in the first 6 months. Early findings suggests we can get this down to 5. The hope is that the new approach will also reduce mother-to-baby HIV transmission. @elri-voigt.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/19/i...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/19/i...
Reposted by Spotlight
Do you want to know what is happening with HIV in South Africa? Have a look at our new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on outputs from the Thembisa model: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/hiv-dashboard/
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Do you want to know what is happening with HIV in South Africa? Have a look at our new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on outputs from the Thembisa model: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/hiv-dashboard/
Do you want to know what is happening with HIV in South Africa? Have a look at our new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on outputs from the Thembisa model: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/hiv-dashboard/
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Do you want to know what is happening with HIV in South Africa? Have a look at our new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on outputs from the Thembisa model: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/hiv-dashboard/
Reposted by Spotlight
South Africa has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. Experts say significant change is needed.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
SA has relatively high anal cancer rates, but we rarely screen for it
South Africa has the world's largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. However, neither the collection of data nor the efforts for...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 AM
South Africa has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. Experts say significant change is needed.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
South Africa has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. Experts say significant change is needed.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
SA has relatively high anal cancer rates, but we rarely screen for it
South Africa has the world's largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. However, neither the collection of data nor the efforts for...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 AM
South Africa has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. Experts say significant change is needed.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
Reposted by Spotlight
DIVE IN | Spotlight has launched a new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on Thembisa model data, making key HIV statistics easier to access for the public and healthcare professionals. Find out more: shorturl.at/GrZyF
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
November 14, 2025 at 7:42 AM
DIVE IN | Spotlight has launched a new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on Thembisa model data, making key HIV statistics easier to access for the public and healthcare professionals. Find out more: shorturl.at/GrZyF
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
DIVE IN | Spotlight has launched a new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on Thembisa model data, making key HIV statistics easier to access for the public and healthcare professionals. Find out more: shorturl.at/GrZyF
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
November 14, 2025 at 7:42 AM
DIVE IN | Spotlight has launched a new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on Thembisa model data, making key HIV statistics easier to access for the public and healthcare professionals. Find out more: shorturl.at/GrZyF
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
Reposted by Spotlight
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
54 000 TB deaths in SA in 2024, according to WHO
Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024 and 249 000 fell ill with the disease, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. Marcus Low reports.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
54 000 TB deaths in SA in 2024, according to WHO
Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024 and 249 000 fell ill with the disease, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. Marcus Low reports.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Spotlight
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
54 000 TB deaths in SA in 2024, according to WHO
Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024 and 249 000 fell ill with the disease, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. Marcus Low reports.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
54 000 TB deaths in SA in 2024, according to WHO
Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024 and 249 000 fell ill with the disease, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. Marcus Low reports.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital faces a slew of challenges from broken and faulty medical equipment, long waiting times for surgeries, to chronic shortages of skilled nursing staff.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/a...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/a...
After a damning report, health dept says issues at Mafikeng Provincial Hospital are being addressed
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital, a critical public healthcare facility in the North West, is facing a slew of challenges from broken and faulty medical equipment, long waiting times for surgeries, to chr...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 12, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital faces a slew of challenges from broken and faulty medical equipment, long waiting times for surgeries, to chronic shortages of skilled nursing staff.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/a...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/a...
Interesting article. As far as we know South Africa unfortunately hasn’t yet ratified the AMA treaty.
November 11, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Interesting article. As far as we know South Africa unfortunately hasn’t yet ratified the AMA treaty.