Health e News
South Africa is one of the 10 worst performing countries in reducing child deaths thus making progress towards reaching the fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG), which aims to reduce by two-thirds the death rate of children by 2015.
Last week, we reported on how people’s ability to change their behaviour can help reduce the spread of HIV in the face of scientific setbacks to devise vaccines or microbicides to protect against the virus. In this report, we look at some of the social factors that could enhance behaviour change to prevent more infections.
- ///Health
In just less than two months after the registration of Glaxo-Smith-Kline’s cervical cancer vaccine by the Medicines Control Council, the regulatory body has registered yet another vaccine aimed at preventing the cancer.
- ///News
A string of disappointing scientific research results on the HIV prevention front suggests that alternative methods of prevention, besides the condom and femidom, are not on the immediate horizon. What are the implications of this?
- ///Health
Cape Town’s executive director of health Dr Ivan Toms died of meningococcal meningitis.
- ///News
With a poor control programme, the development of drug-resistant bacilli, no new drugs to treat it and an increasing HIV case load, South Africa is facing the worst TB epidemic in decades.
- ///Health
The outbreak of Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB) in Tugela Ferry in the Msinga area of KwaZulu-Natal in 2006, marked a turning point in the fight against TB.
Stunned friends have remembered Ivan Toms as a a larger than life character who had tremendous energy and huge passion for the country he loved and served.
- ///Health
The tall man in the wheelchair folds the nursing sister’s hand in his and shakes it enthusiastically. ‘Thank you my little sister, thank you. God bless you, my sister. Thank you for everything you have done.’
Your life – including work, studies and family – could be seriously disrupted if you develop drug-resistant tuberculosis. That’s why it’s important to complete the six month course of medication if you’re diagnosed with the primary form of TB. Taking your medication will cure you, protecting yourself and others.
HIV/AIDS accounts for many child deaths in South Africa – about two thirds of children in public health facilities. It’s also a leading cause of death among new mothers. This is according to a report published recently, called ‘Every Death Counts’.
- ///News
In just less than a month after the disappointing Carraguard microbicide results, a study using a genital herpes drug, Acyclovir, has proved that it does not reduce the risk of HIV infection among people with Herpes Simplex Virus-2.