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A Snapshot of the South African Medical Scheme Landscape The latest Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) industry report offers an insightful look into the South African Medical Scheme Landscape utilisation and benefits paid to service providers for 2021-2022. This vital data serves as a benchmark for medical schemes, helping them gauge their performance within the industry. The results, however, should be interpreted with caution as statistics were collected through a Dynamic Database Driven Annual Returns (DDDR) system rather than actual […]

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a transformative role in the healthcare landscape, particularly in Africa. With its ability to enhance connectivity, facilitate the flow of health information, and provide healthcare services, AI has the potential to address some of the challenges faced by the African healthcare system. However, the regulatory landscape surrounding AI in healthcare in Africa is still evolving. But AI is revolutionizing Healthcare in Africa. One of the key advantages of AI in healthcare is its ability […]

Introduction Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to public health, with pathogenic microorganisms causing widespread illness and even death. The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of infectious diseases has shown great promise in improving diagnosis, blocking transmission, and enhancing treatment strategies. However, the ethical use and access to AI are crucial factors that need to be considered for successful implementation. This article explores the benefits of using AI in infectious diseases and emphasizes the importance of ethical […]

The Asthma Challenge The chronic disease known as asthma, which is characterised by inflammation of the airways, affects between 10 and 12 percent of children around the world and a sizeable percentage of adults. It is the ailment that affects children the most frequently and is a big contributor to the burden of health problems all around the world. In order to alleviate the enormous physical and financial burden that asthma exacerbations impose, it is essential to diagnose the condition […]

The Unseen Value of Adult Immunisation Adult immunisation programmes are often overlooked. But these are critical to addressing key health and societal challenges. A detailed review by the  Office of Health Economics (OHE) of these programmes has recently been conducted. Focusing on diseases such as seasonal influenza, pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, and respiratory syncytial virus, reveals their crucial role in global health. The benefits of these programmes extend beyond health, impacting social care systems and aligning with global agendas such […]

Advancing Health Research on a Global Scale Global Observatory on Health Research and Development (R&D) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has just debuted its most current results. The report’s depiction of severe inequalities in the allocation of resources, money, and capacity for global health research was not unexpected. There is obviously a divide between nations with high incomes and those with low or medium incomes. The publication of this finding in the journal Health Research Policy and Systems highlights […]

The Advent of Disease-Modifying Dementia Treatments (DMDTs) Recent years have seen significant strides in our understanding of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. These advancements have led to the development of Disease-Modifying Dementia Treatments (DMDTs). These treatments aim to alter the course of disease progression and reduce its severe impact. Currently, the UK has not licensed any DMDTs, but several are undergoing various stages of development and approval. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will be evaluating new Alzheimer’s […]

Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve the health of communities and individuals.  In a recent research article, six key priorities for the successful use of AI technologies by public health organizations were identified and how implementing AI in Public Health Organizations are useful. Priorities for AI Utilisation The first priority is contemporary data governance. With the rapid growth in health-related data, it is crucial for public health organizations to have robust data governance policies in place to […]

Introduction A significant challenge faced by hospitals and medical practitioners in low- and middle-income countries is the lack of sufficient healthcare facilities for timely medical diagnosis of chronic and deadly diseases. Maternal and neonatal morbidity due to non-communicable and nutrition-related diseases is a serious public health issue that leads to several deaths every year. Detecting these conditions at their early stages is challenging, putting patients at risk of developing severe conditions over time. However, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) […]

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is reconfiguring various industries, and its potential impact on healthcare and climate change is gaining attention. The English National Health Service (NHS) aims to provide more efficient care while reducing its climate impact. However, concerns about carbon emissions from AI models have emerged. This article explores the role of AI in climate change debates and emission detection, with a focus on its implications for the NHS and beyond. It will also demonstrate how AI interventions in […]

The Present Situation Regarding Clinical Trials Clinical trials, the bedrock of medical advancements, must embrace significant innovation. With global spending on these trials exceeding $50 billion now and predicted to reach over $85 billion by 2030, we must question the value we’re getting from this rapidly growing industry. What is the role of Artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical trials?  There are frequently chances to address chronic health disorders that are hampered by the time and costs associated with major trials. […]

Introduction Global eye health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being and quality of life, with significant implications for disease reduction, productivity, and education access. While progress has been made through global initiatives, challenges persist. However, the rise of digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) presents innovative opportunities in eye care, particularly in increasing accessibility and aiding clinical decisions with data. To overcome implementation barriers, the establishment of a global digital eye health task force is proposed, which would coordinate […]

Introduction New therapies are created and approved all the time in the medical field, therefore it is always changing. But there’s still no clear answer to the age-old problem of demographic representation in oncology in clinical studies. Particularly in oncology, where some cancers disproportionately impact minority populations and the elderly, it is crucial that trial participants reflect the drug’s actual users. With an emphasis on the times of development of oncology medicines, a study aimed to illuminate this matter. The […]

 The Purpose and Pricing of Efgartigimod Alfa Efgartigimod Alfa, a drug designed to ameliorate symptoms of Generalised Myasthenia Gravis (gMG), has been reimbursed since April 2023 in Japan. The drug is priced at JPY 421,455 for Vyvgart® for intravenous infusion 400 mg as of September 2023. Center for Outcomes Research and Economic Evaluation for Health (C2H) calculate the price using a model for the Efgartigimod Alfa Cost-effectiveness. They then add a 5% usefulness premium and a 10% market premium.  The […]

Introduction The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has the potential to significantly inform medical practices and improve patient outcomes. However, the current state of algorithmic-based systems often overlooks important aspects, leading to potential misdiagnosis and discrimination, particularly affecting marginalized communities. A recent research paper highlights the consequences of neglecting gender and sex differences in medical algorithms and emphasizes the need for inclusive AI in healthcare. Therefore, there is an importance of gender and sex considerations in AI. […]

The Rise of Digital Health Tools and the Ensuing Inequality The digital age has seen the healthcare sector evolve at an unprecedented pace. Digital health tools have become integral components of modern healthcare, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. However, alongside this promising development, concerns about digital health inequality are growing. These inequalities, often tied to socioeconomic and demographic factors, can hinder access to digital health services for the most vulnerable populations. The Scale of Digital Inequality in […]