AGP Executive Report

HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng is set to expand the HIV prevention injection lenacapavir to 133 clinics, with targets of 56,000 people, as health officials push for faster uptake amid South Africa’s high HIV burden. Transplant Breakthrough: Wits introduces Africa’s first liver perfusion machine at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, aiming to improve donor organ viability and help tackle the organ shortage. Maternal Health Urgency: A Lancet series highlights postpartum haemorrhage as a fast-moving emergency and calls for better recognition and rapid treatment to cut preventable deaths. Heart Health Link: Erectile dysfunction is being framed as an early warning sign for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, urging men to treat it as a medical issue, not just a bedroom problem. Student Wellbeing: A new report warns addiction—substance use, gambling and digital dependency—is increasingly undermining student success and retention in higher education. Public Health & Safety: The UN has issued an urgent call for calm as tensions and violence against migrants continue to rise in South Africa. Local Business Regulation: Communities are pushing for stronger enforcement in the spaza shop sector after concerns about foreign-owned shops and licensing delays.

HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng is set to roll out twice-yearly Lenacapavir at 133 clinics to boost HIV prevention, with targets of 56,000 people as the province expands access to longer-acting protection. Public Health & Law: A University of Pretoria legal expert warns parents who refuse childhood vaccinations could face civil lawsuits if their choice leads to serious harm to others, as immunisation rates fall in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Cancer Drug Prices: West Asia conflict-linked supply disruptions are driving price hikes for key medicines, including cancer drugs Cisplatin and Carboplatin, plus tetanus immunoglobulin injections. Illegal Medicines Crackdown: Soweto police seized syrups and tablets in an illegal drug raid, including Stillpain, Painagon, Broncleer and Mylan tablets, with investigations ongoing. Mental Health Trend: Discovery Health reports a sharp rise in mental health conditions among 18–30 year-olds, alongside more people seeking help earlier. Violence & Care Impact: A Johannesburg mass shooting killed 12 and injured others, underlining how community trauma can quickly spill into health and emergency services. Sports Medicine Spotlight: Aspetar continues supporting Arab teams at the World Cup with injury prevention, rehabilitation and fitness assessments.

HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng is set to roll out twice-yearly Lenacapavir at 133 clinics, aiming to boost HIV prevention access as winter approaches. Public Health & Food Safety: South Africa’s foodborne illness cases reportedly hit a three-year low in Cape Town, while national efforts continue to close hygiene and food-handling gaps. Cancer Care Innovation: News24 reports Africa’s first liver perfusion machine has landed at Wits, offering new hope for transplant patients. Disease Surveillance: A report highlights how a nationwide tracking system could help control foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, protecting the R80bn beef industry. Mental Health & Youth: Coverage points to a worsening mental health crisis for young people, with calls for earlier support and better services. Violence & Emergency Care: Johannesburg’s Cleveland/Jumpers informal settlement saw a mass shooting with 12 killed and 9–15 injured, prompting investigations and hospital follow-ups. Migration, Screening & Health Services: Nigeria’s first batch of evacuees from South Africa arrived in Lagos after anti-migrant violence, with returnees undergoing documentation, profiling and medical screening. Regional Health Cooperation: BRICS countries are pushing AI and tech cooperation for health resilience and pharmaceutical sovereignty, with South Africa among participants.

Blood Cancer Hope: South Africans marked National Cancer Survivors Day on June 7 as DKMS Africa reports a surge in young blood stem cell registrations, with more than 33,000 17–25-year-olds coming forward by 2026 and Good Samaritan sign-ups rising to 56% from 19% in 2021. Community Policing With Heart: In Gqeberha, a SAPS constable was praised for repeatedly visiting a rescued abandoned five-month-old baby in hospital during Child Protection Week, showing compassion beyond official duties. Violence and Health Fallout: A coordinated gang attack in Johannesburg’s Cleveland (Jumpers informal settlement) left 12 dead and at least nine wounded, with police investigating possible links to illegal mining and searching for suspects. Food Safety in Hospitals: Research from the University of the Western Cape warns that poor hygiene and unsafe food handling at Eastern Cape public hospitals may be putting psychiatric patients at risk, with food units lacking valid certificates of acceptability for decades. HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng is pushing twice-yearly lenacapavir into clinics as part of a broader HIV prevention drive, aiming to expand access through 133 facilities. Screening Boost via AI: Discovery Health says its AI-driven “personal health pathways” prompts are linked to higher rates of health checks and cancer screenings among DHMS members.

Violent Crime: Police launched a manhunt after gunmen killed 12 people and injured nine in a late-night attack at Johannesburg’s Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, with reports pointing to possible links to illegal mining turf violence. Forensic Strain: A Cape Town study highlights how ocean conditions can rapidly damage bodies, making identification harder and leaving families without closure. HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng and KZN are pushing out twice-yearly lenacapavir as a long-acting HIV prevention injection across clinics, with health groups urging faster, wider access. Migration & Health Pressure: Government unveiled a “comprehensive approach” to migration management, citing pressure on healthcare and housing, while Home Affairs urged South Africans with blocked IDs to act before 10 July 2026. Public Health & Wellness: A mental health outreach drive saw volunteers engage residents in hundreds of cities worldwide, while exam season coverage notes how study stress reshapes household routines. Food & Disease: Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine access remains a flashpoint after leaked internal emails sparked fresh anger at how the outbreak is being handled.

Violence and emergency care: Police say 12 people were killed and nine injured in a late-night mass shooting at Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg, with a manhunt under way after attackers allegedly entered via two access points and fled in a white Toyota Quantum—another stark reminder of how gun crime disrupts access to safe healthcare and emergency response. Court-enforced accountability: Residents in a flooding-and-infrastructure failure dispute won a legal push compelling the state to act, highlighting how communities are increasingly turning to courts when municipalities fail on stormwater, sewer and safety risks. Workplace wellbeing under pressure: The death of a Johannesburg call-centre worker, Gcina Dhladhla, has sparked demands for answers about employer duty of care, sick leave handling and delays in getting medical help. HIV prevention rollout: South Africa continues scaling up twice-yearly lenacapavir as HIV prevention, with coverage of how and where to access the injection and what the rollout means for a country with the world’s highest HIV burden. Public health and policy: Psychiatrists warn men often delay mental health support until crisis, while SARS outlines 2026 tax filing dates and auto-assessment notifications—both affecting how people engage with services. Food-and-farming health: Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine allocations and import updates are under scrutiny as leaked emails fuel tensions between farmers and the Agriculture department.

HIV Prevention Rollout: South Africa has started rolling out lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug, with Western Cape sites beginning first and Gauteng expanding to 133 facilities—health experts call it a major breakthrough, but advocates warn the country needs far more doses to cut new infections. Men’s Health Screening: During Men’s Health Month, experts warn many people may have early heart, kidney and metabolic problems without knowing it, urging routine screening—especially for men who often delay care. Public Health Safety: Western Cape Education Department dismissed claims that a learner died after allegedly eating contaminated biscuits; five Grade 6 pupils were hospitalised and later discharged, and the matter has been referred to SAPS. Medicine Supply Pressure: Reports highlight how import policies are squeezing local drugmakers and how shortages of key cancer drugs like cisplatin are hitting patients, underscoring fragile supply chains. Data Privacy Alarm: Confidential medical records of nearly 3,000 SAPS officers were leaked internally, including sensitive diagnoses, prompting calls for accountability and stronger protection of personal information. Water & Health Infrastructure: Cape Town dam levels continue recovering, reaching 72.9% storage, supporting long-term water security for the metro. Food & Wellness: Winter-focused nutrition content spotlights lentils as affordable, fibre-rich meals that can help households stretch budgets while staying healthy.

HIV Prevention Rollout: South Africa has started stocking the twice-yearly anti-HIV injection lenacapavir for free at 360 government clinics across six provinces, with more sites planned and cheaper generics expected next year—an upgrade aimed at cutting new infections in a country with the world’s highest HIV burden. HIV Prevention in Real Life: An AP profile highlights young South Africans in lenacapavir trials continuing despite side effects, framing the injection as a practical alternative to daily pills. Healthcare Access & Equity: Health authorities say the six-monthly jab is being expanded gradually, while advocates push for faster scale-up and more doses. Medicines Localisation Pressure: Local drugmakers warn that procurement is increasingly favouring imports, threatening jobs and supply security, and calling for stronger localisation in public tenders. Medicare24 Accountability: SAPS has suspended five more senior officers linked to the Medicare24 tender probe, bringing arrests and suspensions higher as investigations continue. Public Health Debate: The Department of Justice says it will not oppose Dignity SA’s Constitutional Court challenge on legalising medical assistance in dying. Food & Health Context: South Africa’s agriculture trade hit a record $1.55bn surplus in Q1, but analysts note it was driven more by lower import costs than export growth—while foodborne illness reporting and allergy awareness stories underline ongoing health risks.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: President Cyril Ramaphosa launched lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, calling it a turning point in South Africa’s fight against HIV. The first batch of 37,920 doses is rolling out to 360 facilities across six provinces, with government aiming to reach one million people by end-2027 and three million over the next three years, though some civil society groups say the rollout is too small to curb new infections fast enough. Border Health & Disease Watch: South Africa has tightened Ebola screening at ports of entry, with temperature checks, travel-history interviews and visual assessments, as officials say monitoring remains active for flights from affected countries. Migration Pressure on Health Services: Ramaphosa’s administration says illegal immigration is being addressed amid xenophobic tensions, while insisting foreigners make up only a small share of users of hospitals and schools. Public Health & Mental Wellness: Men’s Health Month coverage highlights why men struggle to open up, with advocates pointing to stigma and high suicide rates. Food Safety: Cape Town reported 13 foodborne illness cases, adding to ongoing attention on safer food systems. Animal Health Research: A University of Pretoria study suggests offal from recovered FMD cattle tests negative, potentially easing strict slaughter requirements and cutting costs.

Food Safety in Cape Town: The City of Cape Town reports 13 foodborne illness notifications after nearly 5,000 food samples were tested (88% compliance), with common failures linked to poor handling, temperature abuse and weak handwashing. Cancer Care & Survivorship: National Cancer Survivors Day spotlights people living beyond cancer, while Cape Town survivors stress the value of early detection as the cancer burden grows. Mental Health Access: SADAG says it spends up to R150,000 a month on phone costs to keep South Africa’s only suicide crisis helpline running 24/7, warning demand is rising without government funding. Cybersecurity for Health: Experts warn South African healthcare is a prime target for cyberattacks, with research citing thousands of attacks weekly across Africa and 1,626 per week in South Africa. Immigration & Public Services: President Ramaphosa’s TV address admits illegal immigration strains healthcare and education, promises decisive enforcement, and warns against xenophobia and vigilante action. HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng plans to roll out the HIV prevention injection lenacapavir across 133 clinics, aiming to expand access. Community Health in Action: A Cape Town petrol attendant helped a pregnant woman deliver at a garage, and a crowdfunding drive is underway to support his training as a paramedic. Local Violence & Injuries: An axe attack on a SAPS officer in Delft led to three suspects being arrested and taken for medical treatment and court appearances.

HIV Prevention Rollout: Gauteng is rolling out the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir across 133 clinics to reach 56,000 people, aiming to boost uptake and reduce new infections. Migration & Public Health Pressure: President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged rising tensions around illegal immigration, saying concerns about jobs and pressure on services like clinics are “real,” while stressing only authorised officials can enforce immigration laws. Xenophobia Aftercare: Ghana’s evacuation of citizens from South Africa continues, with the last batch of 342 arriving in Accra to complete a 979-person programme; Ghana says returnees will also get support including medical and psychosocial help and job opportunities. Food Safety Watch: Cape Town reports a three-year low in foodborne illness cases, with 13 incidents recorded so far this financial year, after thousands of food samples were tested and compliance exceeded 88%. Child Protection: SAPS says 15,888 suspects were arrested and 2,773 convicted for crimes against children over the past year as Child Protection Month ends.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: South Africa has launched a R1.3bn rollout of long-acting injectable Lenacapavir, aiming to make HIV prevention easier with twice-yearly dosing and near-100% effectiveness reported in trials. Public Health Access: A new telehealth service for pensioners is being rolled out in Ghana, highlighting how remote care can cut waiting times and travel barriers for older patients. Ebola Border Watch: South Africa’s Border Management Authority says it has intensified screening at ports of entry as Ebola spreads in Central Africa, with temperature checks and travel-history interviews for arrivals. Healthcare Integrity Under Fire: The SIU raid at Omar’s Motor Den in eMalahleni is sparking pushback, with the owner disputing alleged links to the Tembisa Hospital procurement scandal and questioning the process. Crime and Safety: Three men were shot dead at a fruit and veg stall in Philippi East, while the Hawks’ capacity is being questioned amid corruption concerns. Road Safety: Six people died in a crash on the R542 near Middelburg, with four others seriously injured. Wellness & Risk: Experts are warning about a growing Facebook “nude scam” targeting South African professionals, urging caution with online contacts.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: South Africa has launched the long-acting HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir, positioning it as a major step toward ending daily pills and strengthening prevention access. Migration Pressure on Health Services: Cabinet has rejected a June 30 shutdown threat tied to anti-immigration protests, saying a comprehensive migration plan will be rolled out instead—amid claims that undocumented foreigners are straining hospitals and clinics. Corruption in Healthcare Procurement: The SIU has secured an urgent order to seize a Bentley linked to alleged corruption at Tembisa Hospital, as part of broader Gauteng health procurement irregularities. Child Sexual Violence Alarm: Sonke Gender Justice says prevention must move to community level after justice data showed hundreds of rape cases involving children and rising statutory rape figures. Community Health Risks from Waste: Investigations in Johannesburg’s decommissioned landfill sites allege “waste lords” are illegally dumping and burning toxic waste, with residents reporting health impacts from smoke. Wellness in the Spotlight: Table Mountain hosted a curtain-raiser for International Day of Yoga, with Western Cape health officials framing yoga as prevention and wellbeing. Wildlife Health Watch: A female Indian-born cheetah (KGP11) died during treatment at Kuno National Park, while a pangolin rescue (Kito) is receiving veterinary care after alleged trafficking.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: South Africa has officially launched lenacapavir, a long-acting, twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling it a major turning point; the rollout starts at 360 public health facilities across high-burden districts, aiming to reach about 3 million people over three years, supported by Global Fund and CIFF funding. Mental Health Pressure: New figures highlight a growing mental health burden, with rising treatment and claims over the past decade and warnings that the crisis is becoming a fast-growing disease load. Medical Aid vs Insurance: Experts caution consumers not to confuse medical aid with medical insurance as more households downgrade coverage to cope with costs. Healthcare System Strain: Industry voices warn the “missing middle” is being pushed from private cover into the public sector, worsening access and reliability challenges. Employer Health Push: Some companies are moving toward fully funded healthcare benefits for lower-paid staff, arguing it boosts resilience and reduces lost productivity. Public Health in the Region: Mauritius has tightened entry rules after Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central Africa, including quarantine and screening requirements.

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched South Africa’s twice-yearly Lenacapavir injection in Secunda, aiming to reach 3 million people over three years via 360 public facilities; officials stress it’s a powerful prevention tool that complements testing, PrEP, condoms and other measures. Regional Health Integration: SADC adopted legal instruments in Victoria Falls to boost trade, travel and health cooperation, including a tourism “univisa” and a charter for pooled pharmaceutical procurement to cut medicine costs. Public Health Funding Pressure: Coverage flags that access to long-acting HIV prevention may be constrained by funding shortfalls, even as rollout accelerates. Hospital Corruption Fallout: SAPS suspended nine senior officers tied to the Medicare24 tender, while SIU actions continue around alleged Tembisa Hospital procurement irregularities, including court orders over a Bentley linked to the scandal. Food & Livestock Health: South Africa’s voluntary Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccination scheme is set to strengthen control and protect trade, with implications for cross-border livestock movement. Community Health Stories: A petrol attendant in Cape Town helped deliver a baby at a garage before paramedics arrived, highlighting frontline care when hospitals are out of reach. Climate & Health Risks: FOUR PAWS warns factory farming worsens climate impacts and animal welfare, adding pressure to food systems and communities already hit by extreme weather.

HIV Prevention Shot: Civil society groups are urging President Ramaphosa to push Gilead for faster, wider access to lenacapavir, warning South Africa’s rollout is too slow and too small to curb new infections. Hospital Accountability: The DA is calling for answers after claims that Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital’s cardiothoracic unit has a 14% heart-surgery mortality rate, far above international norms, with allegations of misleading reporting. Medical Scheme Backlog: Bonitas members report delays and unanswered authorisation requests after a switch in administrators, with Bonitas blaming Medscheme and the dispute spilling into Momentum and PHA. Mental Health Crisis: SADAG says it fields up to 3,000 suicide calls daily, with 23 suicides and about 400 attempts every day, highlighting stigma and the need for urgent support. Prosthetics Innovation: North-West University’s “Beyond Limits” programme has integrated Vesconite Hilube bearings into a new four-bar prosthetic knee design aimed at more natural gait and better mobility. Road Safety Justice: A Western Cape court ordered the RAF to pay over R5 million for a child’s lifelong injuries after a 2013 crash, stressing that early “mild” trauma can have major long-term effects. FMD Vaccines: Farmers are weighing relief and frustration as South Africa accelerates foot-and-mouth disease vaccination after delays, with millions of doses procured and millions of animals vaccinated. Pet Care Insurance: Shoprite’s Petshop Science is partnering with Outsurance to offer free accidental pet insurance, adding pressure in a fast-growing but price-sensitive pet market. Xenophobia Response: Nigeria has begun screening citizens for evacuation from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions and safety concerns.