Elri Voigt
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Articles by Elri Voigt
Can you get TB care in the private sector? It is complicated
TB is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium - mycobacterium tuberculosis - that mainly invades the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. (Photo illustration: medicinenet.com/myhealth1st.com) News & Features 15th October 2026 | Elri Voigt In South Africa, tuberculosis is mainly diagnosed and treated in the public healthcare system. On paper, the private sector should also be able to deal with it, but in reality, TB care in this sector is often fragmented and confusing.
South Africa: A Fungal Infection That Targets the Brain Claims Many Lives in SA, Stopping It Won't Be Easy
One of the top killers of people living with HIV in South Africa is a fungal infection. In this Spotlight special briefing, we unpack what we know about this dangerous disease called cryptococcal meningitis, why it remains so deadly, and what we can do about it. Someone who is diagnosed with HIV today could live a relatively healthy and normal life. That is providing that they are consistently taking the antiretroviral treatment that successfully suppresses the virus in their bodies.
South Africa: Positive Interim Findings On New Once-Weekly HIV Treatment Pill
A new antiretroviral combination pill that is taken only once a week appears to work as well as daily pills at treating HIV. This is according to interim study findings to be presented next week at the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Almost all of the over six million people in South Africa who are currently taking HIV treatment are taking it in the form of one tablet taken once a day.
Positive interim findings on new once-weekly HIV treatment pill
Researchers have found that a new once-weekly antiretroviral formulation appears to be as effective as the daily pills. (Photo: Unsplash) News & Features 23rd July 2026 | Marcus Low and Elri Voigt A new antiretroviral combination pill that is taken only once a week appears to work as well as daily pills at treating HIV. This is according to interim study findings to be presented next week at the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
South Africa: From Test Tubes to Treatment - Two TB Researchers On Getting the Ancient Disease Themselves
Being a researcher who studies tuberculosis in the lab is one thing, having the TB bug in your lungs is quite another. Spotlight sat down with two of a relatively small number of people who have experienced both. One morning in April, Constance Schreuder, a senior medical technologist at a large research group at the University of Cape Town, was called into the campus's occupational health office. "I was thinking, did I do something wrong?" she recalls.
From test tubes to treatment: Two TB researchers on getting the ancient disease themselves
TB is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium - Mycobacterium tuberculosis - that mainly invades the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 13th July 2026 | Elri Voigt Being a researcher who studies tuberculosis in the lab is one thing, having the TB bug in your lungs is quite another. Spotlight sat down with two of a relatively small number of people who have experienced both.
All you need to know about the new HIV prevention jab
We’ve come a long way from the worst days of South Africa’s HIV epidemic, but the virus still claims more than 50,000 lives per year, and even in 2026, annual new infections remain stubbornly high at over 140,000. Reducing the rate of new infections is not an easy task. The most effective measure is to make as many as possible of the roughly 8-million people who are living with the disease non-infectious.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | All you need to know about the jab that could dramatically reduce new HIV infections in SA
In this special briefing, Spotlight pulls together all you need to know about a “breakthrough” HIV prevention jab, which will become available at some of South Africa’s public sector clinics for the first time on 5 June. An HIV prevention injection will, for the first time, become available at some of South Africa’s public sector clinics on 5 June. The jab, which contains the antiretroviral (ARV) drug lenacapavir, provides six months of protection at a time.
South Africa: All You Need to Know About the Jab That Could Dramatically Reduce New HIV Infections in SA
On June 5, 2026, an HIV prevention injection will for the first time become available at some of South Africa's public sector clinics. In this Spotlight special briefing, we pull together all you need to know about this "breakthrough" jab. We've come a long way from the worst days of South Africa's HIV epidemic, but the virus still claims over 50 000 lives per year and, even in 2026, annual new infections remain stubbornly high at over 140 000.
Unpacking the HIV jab that could dramatically reduce new infections
SPOTLIGHT On 5 June 2026, an HIV prevention injection will for the first time become available at some of South Africa’s public sector clinics. In this Spotlight special briefing, we pull together all you need to know about this ‘breakthrough’ jab. The long-acting HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir, will become available to about half a million people in South Africa in June.
In The Spotlight | All you need to know about the jab that could dramatically reduce new HIV infections in SA
The long-acting HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir, will become available to around half a million people in South Africa in June. (Pixabay rework by Spotlight) News & Features 3rd June 2026 | Marcus Low and Elri Voigt On June 5 2026, an HIV prevention injection will for the first time become available at some of South Africa’s public sector clinics. In this Spotlight special briefing, we pull together all you need to know about this “breakthrough” jab.
The evolution of HIV treatment: From multi-pill regimens to better, single-pill combos
SPOTLIGHT HIV treatment has been improved and simplified significantly over the years, yet a small fraction of people living with HIV still take complex multi-pill regimens. Spotlight reports on a new combination pill that could make life easier for some in this group. But as two leading experts point out, the development comes as traditional categorisation of HIV medicines is dissolving.
South Africa: The Evolution of HIV Treatment - From Multi-Pill Regimens to Better, Single Pill Combos
HIV treatment has been improved and simplified significantly over the years yet a small fraction of people living with HIV still take complex multi-pill regimens. Spotlight reports on a new combination pill that could make life easier for some in this group. But as two leading experts point out, the development comes against a backdrop where the traditional categorisation of HIV medicines is dissolving.
The evolution of HIV treatment: From multi-pill regimens to better, single pill combos
A subset of people living with HIV take complex treatment regimens, which typically require them taking multiple pills, multiple times a day. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 1st June 2026 | Elri Voigt HIV treatment has been improved and simplified significantly over the years yet a small fraction of people living with HIV still take complex multi-pill regimens. Spotlight reports on a new combination pill that could make life easier for some in this group.
Flu season is here, with experts keeping a close eye on new flu strain
Many regions in the northern hemisphere experienced a slightly earlier start to their flu season. This was driven in some part by a novel variant of influenza A(H3N2). Spotlight reports on the detection of this variant in South Africa and what we might expect from this year’s flu season. As the mercury slowly starts dropping across the country, the risk of picking up the flu rises.
What do we actually know about asymptomatic TB?
TB can be cured, but it is still spreading in South Africa at alarming rates. One reason could be that some people with TB disease but without TB symptoms may unknowingly be passing on the bug. In this special briefing, Spotlight unpacks what we do and do not know about asymptomatic TB. Tuberculosis (TB) is a tenacious bug. The disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has survived and thrived among humans for millennia, even though it can be cured by antibiotics.
South Africa: The Invisible Fuel Driving Our TB Epidemic - What Do We Actually Know About Asymptomatic TB?
Although TB can be cured, it is still spreading in South Africa at alarming rates. One reason could be that some people with TB disease but without symptoms may unknowingly be passing on the bug. In this Spotlight special briefing, we unpack what we do and do not know about asymptomatic TB. Tuberculosis (TB) is a tenacious bug. The disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has survived and thrived among humans for millennia, even though it can be cured by antibiotics.
In the Spotlight | The invisible fuel driving our TB epidemic – what do we actually know about asymptomatic TB?
Even in the absence of clear TB symptoms, the disease might silently be causing damage to the lungs. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 23rd March 2026 | Elri Voigt Although TB can be cured, it is still spreading in South Africa at alarming rates. One reason could be that some people with TB disease but without symptoms may unknowingly be passing on the bug. In this Spotlight special briefing, we unpack what we do and do not know about asymptomatic TB. Tuberculosis (TB) is a tenacious bug.
Meet the SA scientists who are refusing to let HIV vaccine research stall
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The amazing people driving a ‘truly South African’ HIV vaccine study
COLLECTIVE RESOLVE A cutting-edge, South African-led HIV vaccine trial built on decades of research recently began in Cape Town. Spotlight unpacks what exactly is being studied, and how the resilience, tenacity and urgency of a group of dedicated SA researchers made it possible. Dedicated staff members at the Groote Schuur clinical trial site demonstrate how participants are prepped for a blood draw.
Behind the scenes: The amazing people driving a ‘truly South African’ HIV vaccine study Original
Dr Sheetal Kassim, the site lead for the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation’s clinical trial site at Groote Schuur Hospital. (Photo: Nasief Manie/Spotlight) News & Features 26th February 2026 | Elri Voigt A cutting-edge, South African-led HIV vaccine trial built on decades of research recently kicked off in Cape Town. Spotlight unpacks what exactly is being studied, and how the resilience, tenacity and urgency of a group of dedicated South African researchers made it possible.
Six striking findings from major TB conference
From studies of new medicines and a mask used to diagnose TB, there was no shortage of interesting findings presented at the recent Union World Conference on Lung Health, held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Spotlight rounds up six studies that stood out. 1. People do better if we dispense all TB prevention pills at once One of the most important questions in TB is how to best prevent people from getting ill if they’ve been exposed to the bug.
South Africa: Six Striking Findings From Major TB Conference
From studies of new medicines and a mask used to diagnose TB, there was no shortage of interesting findings presented at the recent Union World Conference on Lung Health, held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Spotlight rounds up six studies that stood out. 1. People do better if we dispense all TB prevention pills at once One of the most important questions in TB is how to best prevent people from getting ill if they've been exposed to the bug.
Integrating health services for mom and baby could reduce clinic visits by half Original
After birth, moms and babies are required to visit healthcare facilities for essential services like immunisations, postnatal care and HIV testing. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 19th November 2025 | Elri Voigt 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 project suggests we can get this down to five.
Monitoring blood pressure at home leads to better control: study
SPOTLIGHT High blood pressure is a major contributor to South Africa’s growing burden of noncommunicable diseases. (Photo: Mufid Majnun / Unsplash) Hypertension is poorly managed in South Africa. Remarkable findings from a study in rural KwaZulu-Natal suggest a compelling alternative to the current model of clinic-based care – using community healthcare workers to monitor people’s blood pressure in their own homes.
‘Monitoring people’s blood pressure in their homes leads to better outcomes’
Hypertension — commonly known as high blood pressure — is poorly managed in SA, but findings from a study in rural KwaZulu-Natal suggest a compelling alternative to the current model of clinic-based care: using community healthcare workers to monitor people’s blood pressure in their own homes.
Monitoring people’s blood pressure in their homes leads to better control - study finds Original
Hypertension, which occurs when someone's blood pressure is higher than normal, causes a range of life threatening complications. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 10th November 2025 | Elri Voigt Hypertension – a condition where blood pressure is consistently higher than normal – is poorly managed in South Africa.
SA and Indonesia team up on massive asymptomatic TB study Original
Researchers from South Africa and Indonesia have joined forces on an ambitious study on asymptomatic TB. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 6th November 2025 | Elri Voigt Over the last decade, there’s been growing evidence that people can have TB without having any symptoms. But there is still much uncertainty over how such asymptomatic TB functions in the body and how infectious it is. An ambitious study, set to be conducted in South Africa and Indonesia, is trying to find some answers.
South Africa: Amid All the Noise, How Well Is South Africa's Immunisation Programme Actually Doing
Childhood immunisation programmes have saved many millions of lives and prevented much suffering. Yet, immunisation programmes have lost momentum over the last decade or so. In this #InTheSpotlight special briefing, Spotlight unpacks the available data and considers how immunisation efforts might be revitalised. Polio, a viral infection that targets the nervous system, used to be one of the most feared diseases in the world.
#InTheSpotlight | Amid all the noise, how well is SA’s immunisation programme actually doing
Immunisation has and continues to save millions of lives and to prevent much suffering and disability. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 13th October 2025 | Elri Voigt Childhood immunisation programmes have saved many millions of lives and prevented much suffering. Yet, immunisation programmes have lost momentum over the last decade or so. In this #InTheSpotlight special briefing, Spotlight unpacks the available data and considers how immunisation efforts might be revitalised.
South Africa Has Very Low Organ Donation Rates - How Can We Fix It?
Thousands of people in South Africa are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, but our very low organ donation rates mean that many won't get a transplant in time. Spotlight asks the experts why our donation rates are so low and what can be done about it. Back in 2002, Rentia le Roux received a horrifying diagnosis that her kidneys were failing. "My kids still need me, they are still small, what are we going to do?" Le Roux recalls telling her doctor.
SA has very low organ donation rates - how can we fix it?
The country that performed the first successful heart transplant has very low organ donation rates. Now a student-run medical non-profit is hoping to make a difference. (Photo: Nasief Manie/Spotlight) News & Features 29th September 2025 | Elri Voigt Thousands of people in South Africa are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, but our very low organ donation rates mean that many won’t get a transplant in time.
South Africa: Thousands of Kids With HIV Switched to Newer Treatment
A child-friendly formulation of the antiretroviral drug dolutegravir was first included in the country's HIV treatment guidelines in 2023. New estimates suggest that most children aged one to four living with HIV have now been switched to the drug. The potent antiretroviral (ARV) drug dolutegravir has become the backbone of South Africa's HIV treatment programme. The drug was first included in South Africa's ARV tender in 2019 and was rolled out in phases in the public health sector.
Thousands of kids with HIV switched to newer treatment Original
A child-friendly version of the antiretroviral drug dolutegravir was registered in South Africa in 2022. (Photo: Tina Floersch/Unsplash) News & Features 4th September 2025 | Elri Voigt A child-friendly formulation of the antiretroviral drug dolutegravir was first included in the country’s HIV treatment guidelines in 2023. New estimates suggest that most children aged one to four living with HIV have now been switched to the drug.
For Prof Rachel Jewkes, blending research with activism is at the heart of her life’s work
Professor Rachel Jewkes has spent her career trying to make the world a better place for women. She is one of the country’s leading researchers on gender-based violence. Spotlight spoke to her about her journey from anti-apartheid activist to top-rated researcher.
South Africa: For Professor Rachel Jewkes, Blending Research With Activism Is At the Heart of Her Life's Work
From anti-apartheid activist to top rated researcher, Professor Rachel Jewkes has spent her career trying to make the world a better place for women. Spotlight spoke to her about her journey to South Africa from the United Kingdom and how she became one of the country's leading researchers on gender-based violence.
For Professor Rachel Jewkes, blending research with activism is at the heart of her life's work
Professor Rachel Jewkes, one of the world's top researchers into gender based violence, at her office at the SAMRC in Pretoria. (Photo: Elri Voigt/Spotlight) News & Features 27th August 2025 | Elri Voigt From anti-apartheid activist to top rated researcher, Professor Rachel Jewkes has spent her career trying to make the world a better place for women.
Monthly HIV pill may expand prevention options
SPOTLIGHT OP-ED A new pill, for now called MK-8527, has the potential to prevent HIV infection for up to a month in its current formulation.(Photo: Freepik) A new antiretroviral pill has shown promising results and is now entering large-scale trials. Spotlight reports on new findings on the pill.
Findings give hope for monthly HIV prevention pill
28 July 2025 - 04:30 Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. An HIV prevention pill that could provide a month of protection per tablet has been given the green light to proceed to pivotal trials to test its efficacy. New findings on the pill were presented at the International Aids Conference.
South Africa: IAS2025 - Findings Give Hope for Monthly HIV Prevention Pill
An HIV prevention pill that could provide a month of protection per tablet has been given the green light to proceed to pivotal trials to test its efficacy. Spotlight reports on new findings on the pill that were presented at the International AIDS Conference. There are several antiretroviral formulations proven to prevent HIV infection: a daily pill, two different jabs that offer protection for two and six months respectively, and a vaginal ring for women that has to be replaced monthly.
IAS2025: Findings give hope for monthly HIV prevention pill
A long-acting pill for HIV prevention has moved into pivotal phase three trials. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 25th July 2025 | Elri Voigt An HIV prevention pill that could provide a month of protection per tablet has been given the green light to proceed to pivotal trials to test its efficacy. Spotlight reports on new findings on the pill that were presented at the International AIDS Conference.
TB’s tight grip: Why this curable disease is so hard to treat
SPOTLIGHT Tuberculosis (TB) has lasted for centuries, partly because our immune systems can't easily get rid of it. (Photo: Wilfried Pohnke / Pixabay) TB can be cured, but ridding the body of the bug often takes many months and usually requires taking four or more medicines. In this special briefing, Spotlight zooms in on what makes the TB bacterium so hard to beat. There are many things we’ve learned from studying the ancient Egyptians.
South Africa: TB's Tight Grip - Why This Curable Disease Is So Hard to Treat
TB can be cured, but ridding the body of the bug often takes many months and usually requires taking four or more different medicines. In this Spotlight special briefing, we zoom in on what makes the TB bacterium so hard to beat. There are many things we've learned from studying the ancient Egyptians. One especially fascinating discovery was evidence of skeletal deformities in mummies, which serves as silent markers of a tenacious bug still stalking us today: tuberculosis (TB).
#InTheSpotlight | TB’s tight grip: Why this curable disease is so hard to treat
TB has lasted for centuries partly because our immune systems can't easily get rid of it. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 14th July 2025 | Elri Voigt TB can be cured, but ridding the body of the bug often takes many months and usually requires taking four or more different medicines. In this Spotlight special briefing, we zoom in on what makes the TB bacterium so hard to beat. There are many things we’ve learned from studying the ancient Egyptians.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | TB’s tight grip: Why this curable disease is so hard to treat
TB is a tough and ancient adversary and keeps adapting. It can be cured, but ridding the body of the bug often takes many months and usually requires different medicines. In this special briefing, Spotlight zooms in on what makes the TB bacterium so hard to beat. There are many things we’ve learned from studying the ancient Egyptians.
Are children living with HIV being left behind? What the stats tell us
Huge gains have been made in reducing new HIV infections and deaths in children. Yet, many of the statistics for children still look worse than those for adults. Spotlight asked experts why this is the case and what factors prevent children living with HIV from starting and staying on the treatment that can keep them healthy. Of the 157,000 children living with HIV in South Africa, about one in three is not getting the medicines they need to stay healthy.
Are children living with HIV being left behind? What the stats tell us
Massive gains have been made in reducing new HIV infections and deaths in children. Yet, many of the statistics for children still look worse than those for adults. Spotlight asked experts why this is the case and what factors prevent children living with HIV from starting and staying on the treatment that can keep them healthy. Of the 157 000 children living with HIV in South Africa, around one in three are not getting the medicines they need to stay healthy.
Are children living with HIV being left behind - what the stats tell us
Huge gains have been made in reducing the number of children who acquire HIV, yet this progress seems to have stabilised in recent years. (Photo: Note Thanun/Unsplash) News & Features 26th May 2025 | Elri Voigt Massive gains have been made in reducing new HIV infections and deaths in children. Yet, many of the statistics for children still look worse than those for adults.
Are children living with HIV being left behind? What the stats tell us
Massive gains have been made in reducing new HIV infections and deaths in children. Yet, many of the statistics for children still look worse than those for adults. Spotlight asked experts why this is the case and what factors prevent children living with HIV from starting and staying on the treatment that can keep them healthy. Of the 157 000 children living with HIV in South Africa, around one in three are not getting the medicines they need to stay healthy.
Tongue swabs — where these TB tests might eventually fit in
While probably years away from widespread use, a test for TB that relies on a simple tongue swab instead of a person having to cough up sputum is showing promise. Spotlight takes stock of how the test works and asks experts what its future role might be. Most tuberculosis (TB) tests are conducted on sputum samples. The difficulty with this is that many people, particularly children and people living with HIV, struggle to cough up the thick mucus, also sometimes called phlegm, from their lungs.
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