Some patients had to fast from 10pm the previous night...
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Patients wait a month to fix broken bones at Bophelong hospital in Mahikeng
Some patients had to fast from 10pm the previous night in preparation for the procedure, only to be informed in the morning that the surgery had been cancelled
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mRNA technology transfer programme reaches key milestone
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SAHPRA warns of fake licences and hidden health dangers in cannabis-infused products
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Some patients had to fast from 10pm the previous night in preparation for the procedure, only to be informed in the morning that the surgery had been cancelled
The statistics are often focused on data from people who are in treatment. There is a whole population of substance users not in treatment who are not counted.
In honour of Youth Month Health-e News asked community journalists to tell us about the biggest issues facing young people in their community.
Baby savers or boxes are specially designed structures – usually built into the outside wall of an organisation – that trigger an alarm once a baby has been placed inside, allowing for the infant to be retrieved and taken to a place of safety.
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As SA gets closer to rolling out the NHI, new concerns are surfacing, this time, about who handles patient complaints.![]()
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Sections 42–44 of the Act say that a centralised complaints unit within the NHI Fund itself, will be the sole body managing all complaints. ![]()
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But health professionals and advocacy groups worry: Can a system truly hold itself accountable?![]()
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Public Health Specialist Prof Hassan Mahomed says this could blur the lines between independent oversight and internal policing, especially when complaints are directed at the NHI Fund.![]()
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The Health Ombud’s office, meant to serve as an independent watchdog, already struggles with limited resources. ![]()
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Deputy Director General for the NHI, Dr Nicholas Crisp, says the Fund will keep records of all complaints and will be held accountable. ![]()
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Find out more in the comments. #healthnews
Sahpra is raising the alarm over a surge in fraudulent service providers posing as SAHPRA-accredited. ![]()
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The watchdog says it has learned about a troubling trend of individuals and businesses using falsified licences to deceive the public and carry out unregulated operations, putting lives at risk. ![]()
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The warning comes amid the booming popularity of cannabis-infused products in South Africa, from beverages and snacks to baked goods.![]()
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However, the lack of proper regulation, safety testing, and transparent labelling has sparked concern. ![]()
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Nozipho*, a 47-year-old Braynston woman, was hospitalised after consuming a cannabis-infused drink, purchased from a pharmacy. She tells Health-e News that she found the juice in an aisle containing other fruit juices, and it had no distinct labelling.![]()
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Have you ever had a similar experience? Find out more in the comments. ![]()
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#cannabis #cannabisdrinks #healthnews
The Gauteng health department has come under criticism for its deplorable human resources management, which has incentivised employees to exaggerate their leave days.![]()
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According to a source who also attended a meeting on leave day policies, an audit is currently underway to verify the number of employees who have taken unauthorised incapacity leave a type of leave taken by an employee when they are unable to work due to ill health or injury, and they have exhausted their standard sick leave.![]()
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Between the 2021/22 and 2024/25 financial years, a total of 8,571 healthcare employees in Gauteng have exhausted their sick leave entitlements. ![]()
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Find out more in the comments. ![]()
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#healthnews #healthcareworkers #Healthcare
"No health measures needed": Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the new COVID-19 variant, which has been detected in several Asian countries, is being monitored by the NNational Institute for Communicable Diseasesand there's no need for concern. Watch to learn more.![]()
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#COVID19 #Covid19variant #nimbusvariant
A new COVID-19 variant has been identified in several Asian countries. 🦠![]()
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The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says they are closely monitoring the variant which has not been detected in South Africa yet. Share with a friend and help prevent the spread of misinformation. ![]()
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#COVID19 #nimbusvariant #healthnews
![[SWIPE] Drug Awareness Week: Unemployment, hopelessness, and poverty have created the perfect storm for addiction to thrive in Botshabelo, Free State; a reflection of a broader pattern seen across the country.
Meet Teboho* who dropped out of school in Grade 10. With no qualifications, no work, and no support, he turned to drugs. First cannabis, then meth. Now he works as a self-appointed porter at the local mall. On good days, shoppers give him a few coins. On bad days, desperation leads him to steal.
He’s not alone. Sipho*, another 24-year-old, uses his R370 social relief grant to fund his drug use. Both say sobriety is painful, it reminds them of a future they no longer believe in.
Link in bio to find out more. 🔗](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzQwODo4MA==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 44")
![[SWIPE] Opinion: Young people are getting cancer more often and it’s not just genetics.
Recent global studies show a rise in early-onset cancers (diagnosed under age 50), especially breast and colon cancer.
🌍One global report shows a 79% rise since the 1990s.
🇨🇦 Canada: Breast cancer in women in their 20s up by 46%.
🇿🇦 SA: Dr Fatima Hoosain, a breast and thyroid cancer surgeon has seen a 30% increase in women under 40 with breast cancer.
Most of them don’t carry a genetic mutation, and many faced delays in diagnosis because they don’t qualify for screenings yet.
Dr Hoosain, says lifestyle, stress, and diet could also be playing a role and we need more research.
Link in bio for more.](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzQzMDo2Nw==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 45")
![[SWIPE] As South Africa prepares to roll out the NHI, a new debate is brewing about the complaints process.
According to the NHI Act, all patient complaints will be handled by the NHI Fund itself, even if the complaint is about the Fund.
That means the same body responsible for funding healthcare will also be the one investigating problems in the system.
Public health experts are raising red flags. If the body being complained about is also the one investigating, how fair will the process really be?
Right now, patients can lodge complaints at clinics or hospitals, or go through the Health Ombud.
But even the Ombud’s office, meant to work independently is under pressure: limited staff, no proper offices, and call centres with no privacy.
Public health professionals and advocacy groups worry this system could weaken public trust, especially for everyday people who already feel powerless in the health system.
#healthnews](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzU0MTo1Nw==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 51")
![[WATCH] It’s a proud moment for South Africa🥳: Prof Helen Rees reflects on receiving a lifetime global health award at the World Health Assembly but also how international funding cuts have been affecting HIV and TB care in SA.
#HIV #Tuberculosis #healthnews](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzYxMzo3Ng==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwMCA1NjAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU2MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Health E News 56")
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