Health e News

Masie Moagi has had to put his aspirations on hold due to living with epilepsy.

Living with epilepsy: Artist forced to put aspirations on ice

Living with epilepsy has proved tough for an aspiring artist who has had to put all his dreams and hopes on hold as learns to cope with the debilitating effects of his condition. According to Epilepsy South Africa (Epilepsy SA), epilepsy affects 1 in every 100 people in South Africa which equates to at least half a million based on a total population of 52 million. Masie Moagi is one of these individuals who experienced seizures at a young age. “The seizures started early, I can’t remember at what age but they won’t severe. I was in primary school. They would come and go and then disappear for a long time. I thought my troubles were over,” he recalled. Moagi, who has since struggled to secure employment after matriculating two years ago, explained how the seizures returned later in high school while completing Grade 10. Learning to live with seizures

Red Balloon Foundation giving children who require neurological rehabilitation, a chance at beating the odds.

Neurological rehabilitation: Foundation gives kids a chance

Antoinette Harvey was looking forward to graduating after three years of studying alternative neurological therapies when her son died one month before he turned three. Maxim was born with a severe infection which caused oxygen deprivation. He was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy with Severe Dystonia Scholiosis and Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Harvie said her pregnancy had been uneventful but at 38 weeks, her son stopped moving, resulting in her having an emergency caesarean delivery (C-section). “As soon as he was born, he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) because he wasn’t breathing properly and was swollen,” explained his mom. She added: “So, they tested him and looked like he had an in-neuro infection for about 10 weeks before he was born. It went undetected and in those 10 days, caused brain damage.” The new parents were informed that their seven-day-old son had cerebral palsy and that

Clinical research plays critical role in health system

3 reasons why we need a waiver on monopolies of all COVID-19 medical tools

Humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders compiled this listicle explaining the equity and access consequences of intellectual property laws when it comes to tools to fight COVID-19. They also call for such laws to be waived in light of the seriousness of the global pandemic.
Hearing impairment or deafness often goes unnoticed since universal newborn hearing screening isn't mandatory in South Africa.

Hearing impairment: Kids often have to suffer in silence

Universal newborn hearing screening is not mandatory in South Africa, meaning that many children face educational and developmental challenges due to undiagnosed deafness or hearing impairment. A mother shares her journey with Health-e News. By Kalay Nair.
New wing signal major breakthrough for Bara Burns Unit.

Expansion signals major breakthrough for Bara Burns Unit

The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) received a welcome boost following a R70 million donation from the Roy McAlpine Charitable Foundation.
The theme of this year's World Rabies Day is 'Facts, not fear'.

World Rabies Day: Consider all facts, abandon any fears

On World Rabies Day we look back at the case of the boy who lost his life earlier this month as well as the prevention, causes and treatment of this disease.
Vax champs fight social media misinformation to encourage people to vaccinate

COVID-19 myth: Jab causes male infertility, sexual dysfunction

With vaccine hesitancy being a major problem among people across the globe, health experts and officials have debunked the COVID-19 vaccine myth – that it affects male sexual function and fertility.
Mahi’s mom hopes for a second chance for her baby who is fighting leukaemia.

Leukaemia: Mahi’s mom hopes for a second chance

A mother has made a plea to the South African public to consider registering as bone marrow donors which will give people a second chance at life
The government has admitted that COVID-19 data capturing is a challenge and that all issues would be investigated.

COVID-19 data capturing is a challenge, says health dept

Numerous complaints from members of the public, who have not received SMS confirmation after being vaccinated, has prompted government to admit that capturing COVID-19 data is a challenge and the issue would be investigated.
Eastern Cape celebrates 1-million COVID-19 vaccination milestone.

COVID-19 vaccinations: EC celebrates 1-million milestone

The Eastern Cape provincial government is celebrating a milestone which has seen at least one million people having received their COVID-19 vaccinations. This means the province is a step closer to reaching populating immunity by next March.
National Health Department to recommend vaccination certificates.

Vaccination certificates: ‘Watch this space’, says Phaahla

The national Health Department will soon recommend the introduction of vaccination certificates to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC); a move which according to Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, will “open up economic, social and religious activities”.
Aquaponics not only maximises productivity but could also drive food security and sustainable agriculture.

Aquaponics: An answer to food security, sustainable agriculture

The waterwise and environmentally-friendly aquaponics farming method used at FinLeaf Farm maximises productivity on a small two-hectare piece of land and could be the answer to achieving food security and sustainable agriculture.

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