laurawatermeyer

Health, Mental Health

Kites lift mental health to new horizons

Learners from one of the Cape's oldest centres for children with mental disabilities recently spent a day out with kite enthusiasts ahead of Cape Town’s annual International Kite Festival.

laurawatermeyer
November 4, 2013

Health

Cape Town woman battles rare skin disease

Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, affects more than 125 million people globally. In South Africa, psoriasis patients not only face stigma but an uphill battle for care.

laurawatermeyer
November 1, 2013

Health

New TB technology may be ready for clinics

New research has shown that rapid GeneXpert tuberculosis (TB) test improves access to TB diagnosis and treatment, and may be ready for South African clinics.

laurawatermeyer
October 31, 2013

Health

Cape Town XDR-TB patient leads international campaign

A Cape Town survivor of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis has taken her campaign for better access to testing and treatment from her hometown of Khayelitsha to Paris and beyond.

laurawatermeyer
October 31, 2013

Health

Costs keep cancer drugs out of developing countries

High cancer drug prices are keeping even old treatments out of patients’ hands in countries like South Africa, Brazil and India.

laurawatermeyer
October 30, 2013

Health

Drug use spirals but services lag behind

Abdul Karriem Brown was 15 years old when he started using drugs.

laurawatermeyer
October 15, 2013

Health, Health Systems, News

Government unveils NCD strategic plan

With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for almost half of all deaths in South Africa, the department of health has released a new strategy to curb rising rates of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and hypertension.

laurawatermeyer
September 18, 2013
3 Comments

Health

Sitting may be killing us, say experts

Not getting enough exercise is about as bad for you as smoking, say experts who add that squeezing in more physical activity can be as simple as twirling your hair.

laurawatermeyer
September 18, 2013

Health

New foundation urges South Africans to get ‘sun smart’

With summer fast approaching, the South African Society for Dermatological Surgery is set to make sure that South Africans are 'sun smart.'

laurawatermeyer
September 17, 2013

Health

Quitting’s benefits come quickly, not easily

Quit smoking now and you’ll see benefits almost instantly but it s not always easy, as one former smoker admits.

laurawatermeyer
September 11, 2013

News

Timeline of a troubled province

Over the past 15 years the Eastern Cape Health Department has deteriorated. Fraught with medicine shortages, equipment failures, huge staff vacancies, corruption and fraud, this timeline documents just some of the many problems surrounding this troubled province.

laurawatermeyer
September 11, 2013

Health, News, Women's Health

Take-home test helps detect cervical cancer

About nine women die every day as a result of cervical cancer in South Africa. A new, do-it-yourself test could help detect more cases earlier but it’s only part of the solution, experts warn.

laurawatermeyer
August 28, 2013

Health Systems

Healthworkers unite for positive work environment

Health professionals working in public facilities around the country have come together to campaign for a better working environment and improved services for patients.

laurawatermeyer
August 22, 2013

Health

Govt moves to stop alcohol ads

South Africans like to drink. In fact, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), we are some of the biggest drinkers in the world. But, alcohol kills around 130 South Africans every day and well over half of all road accidents are caused by drunk drivers.