Health e News
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They should have given up working long ago and now be enjoying their retirement after careers spanning more than 60 years combined. But retired nursing sister Mrs Seabela and Mrs Khumalo, a retired social worker, have come back from retirement to help the sick, especially those with AIDS.
The criteria used to award government temporary disability grant have come under scrutiny. Currently, there is concern that even people who do not ‘deserve’ the grant receive it, while there are seriously ill patients who do not receive it.
Debate is raging about some people using unconventional methods to access the government’s social grants. Some claim that a number of people with AIDS, who upon severe illness can qualify for a temporary disability grant, stop taking their antiretrovirals out of fear that they might forfeit the grants once their state of health improves.
Several anecdotes suggest that patients with HIV, AIDS and TB might be defaulting on their treatment for fear of losing their temporary disability grants should they get better. Some of these anecdotes further allege that some people might even go as far as exposing themselves to the HI virus.
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Traditional healers’ are accusing medic group, Doctors For Life, of opposing every attempt aimed at giving traditional healers the same legal recognition as that of Western medical practitioners.
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Being young is often associated with risky behaviour – and research is showing that in South Africa the youth often take astounding sexual risks. But is this intentional dare-devilish behaviour?
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Unwanted teen pregnancy is a significant socio-economic and health challenge in South Africa. Despite this, the rate of teenagers falling pregnant continues to rise dramatically.
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The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society says the ongoing public servants’ strike might negatively impact those receiving their antiretroviral treatment from public hospitals and clinics.
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Physicians are concerned that as the national public service strike continues, patients receiving ARV medication in public sector health facilities could default on treatment – a situation which is life threatening for patients.
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Presenters at the Durban Aids Conference have agreed on the urgent need for clinical trials of traditional medicine currently used by a wide spectrum of HIV infected South Africans.
Four weeks ago, we reported that Defence union, SASFU is taking the South African National Defence Force to court over what it calls ‘discriminatory policies’ on HIV/AIDS. This week, we hear how the union argues in court papers that the SANDF has made HIV a career-limiting factor for positive members and recruits alike.
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While South Africa has taken ‘giant leaps’ by reaching consensus on a national response to HIV/AIDS for the next five years, the biggest challenge is its implementation, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told the third national AIDS conference at its opening last night (Tuesday).