8 September 2000

Home / September 8, 2000

Severe head injuries ‘ who gets treated?

Health Systems

A controversial new approach to rationing care for head-injuries is being developed at Groote Schuur hospital. The new policy, introduced because budget cuts mean that there are insufficient resources to give optimum care to all severe head injuries, will give doctors guidelines as to which patients should receive the most intensive care. Jo Stein reports.

Ali Karriem
September 8, 2000

Should we prioritize the sex industry for the prevention of HIV/AIDS?

Health

In South Africa, there is no co-ordinated national policy specifically targeting the sex industry to prevent the spread of HIV infection. But such a policy may be less appropriate for South Africa than for other developing countries. By Jo Stein.

Ali Karriem
September 8, 2000

100% condom use among sex-workers is possible

Health

Developing countries like Cambodia are following the Thai example and implementing successful 100% condom use programmes for commercial sex workers. But some argue that the approach discriminates against commercial sex workers. Jo Stein reports

Ali Karriem
September 8, 2000

Pissing in the wind

Health

Regular virginity testing is seen as a solution to HIV/AIDS. But for the majority of virginity testers, assessing virginity has nothing to do with whether a girl's hymen is intact. Many testers also not see virginity as an absolute state. There may be "grades" of relative virginity. One virginity tester from Zululand reported recently on his technique for testing boys.