FOCUS: PUBLIC HEALTH
Gavi scrambles to replace billions lost with withdrawal of US support
The Gates Foundation has renewed its commitment to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, after US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. accused it last week of “ignoring safety” – without providing evidence – and saying America would no longer contribute funding to help buy vaccines for the world’s poorest children, writes MedicalBrief.
Kennedy said he admired much of Gavi’s work, particularly its efforts to make medicines affordable worldwide. “Unfortunately, in its zeal to promote universal vaccination, it has neglected the key...
FOCUS: MEDICO-LEGAL
After 25 years and R20m, ‘Dr Death’ seeks permanent stay order against HPCSA
Over the course of a quarter of a century, the Health Professions Council of SA has tried and failed at a cost of more than R20m to sanction Dr Wouter Basson for professional misconduct related to his role as former head of the apartheid government’s secret chemical and biological warfare programme. Basson has now applied for a permanent stay of proceedings, accusing the HPCSA of “ulterior motives”.
His advocate, Jaap Cilliers SC, in his written submissions in a Gauteng High...