In South Africa, a country long struggling with one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection, a quiet yet ambitious health care transformation is taking shape. South Africa is pushing to integrate personalized medicine — using genetic data to tailor treatments — into its public health framework. This move could reshape health care for millions, potentially transforming the country into a leader in genomics-driven medicine on the African continent.
However, the colossal undertaking demands significant changes in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and public health policies. For its advocates, however, these are necessary steps toward a future where treatments are customized to the genetic makeup of individuals rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
"We’re not just aiming for innovation here," Veron Ramsuran, an associate professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, told Devex. "We want personalized medicine to become a cornerstone of public health in South Africa."
About the author
Paul Adepojupauladepoju
Paul Adepoju is a Nigeria-based Devex Contributing Reporter, academic, and author. He covers health and tech in Africa for leading local and international media outlets including CNN, Quartz, and The Guardian. He's also the founder of healthnews.africa. He is completing a doctorate in cell biology and genetics and holds several reporting awards in health and tech.
