Health e News
- ///Health
The long-awaited report on a comprehensive social security system for South Africa was released for public comment this week. Social Development minister Dr Zola Skweyiya acknowledges the need for a basic income grant and urgent measures to assist the orphans and those living in dire poverty. But he cautions that Government does not have the money or the resources to tackle this alone. He spoke to Health-e.
- ///Health
A global initiative, formed to mobilise society in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, has launched a campaign to force countries to drop import taxes on treated mosquito nets in an attempt to control the malaria epidemic. The initiative aims to hold governments accountable to commitments made in the Abuja Declaration signed two years ago, in which African states promised to reduce the costs of mosquito nets and insecticides. South Africa is one of several countries which has yet to make good on its promises. Anso Thom reports.
Problems of overcrowding and long queues could soon be a thing of the past with the addition of a R500 million new wing to Umtata General Hospital and 800 new posts for doctors, nurses and support staff. The complex is due to be finished in May says Mahlubandile Mageda, spokesperson for Eastern Cape Health Department.
- ///Health
It will take a decade before a vaccine against malaria, described as one of the greatest causes of misery in endemic countries, is developed, according to Dr Regina Rabinovich, director of the Malaria Vaccine Initiative. With between three and five million cases per year and three deaths every minute (mostly children), the need for a malaria vaccine is as urgent as one to prevent HIV infection. ANSO THOM reports.
- ///Health
This week the largest ever international medical research project into the link between the formation of deep vein thrombosis and flying will be launched by Wits University and the National Health Laboratory Service. A thousand passengers flying between London and Johannesburg will take part in the study.
- ///Health
A laboratory in the basement of the medical school at the University of Cape Town serves around 90% of clinics and hospitals in the Western Cape. Although based at the University of Cape Town, the laboratory falls under the authority of the National Health Laboratory Services. In this audio report, Dr Dianna Hardie is a senior specialist in the Virology Department and explains how the Elisa test is carried out.
- ///Health
Documents circulating in government circles have once again disputed the link between HIV and AIDS and questioned scientific knowledge and practice in relation to the HI virus. In this audio package, acclaimed South African scientist, Dr Carolyn Williamson, who last year received the World Technology Award for Health & Medicine in recognition of her efforts to find an AIDS vaccine, speaks about the scientific evidence.
The 2001 South African Health Review (SAHR) has made a priority in its annual report card of reflecting what South African patients, politicians and health workers have to say about health services and delivery. Produced annually by the non-governmental organisation, the Health Systems Trust, the review has dedicated significant space to the “voices” of service users, facility managers, hospital superintendent/managers, district managers, provincial managers, parliamentarians and policy makers.
The profile of hospital superintendents is changing – although white male doctors still predominate, a new picture is emerging in which more and more women are heading up hospitals. The 2001 SA Health Review notes that it is nurses and others in the health profession who increasingly are taking the helm.
- ///Health
Misguided national leadership, particularly President Thabo Mbeki’s questioning of whether HIV causes AIDS, has contributed to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate amongst pregnant women jumping from 7,6% to 24,5% in seven years. This is the view of researchers writing in the 2001 SA Health Review, due to be released by the Health Systems Trust (HST) in Pretoria today (tues).
Although the South African Constitution stipulates that all municipalities are ultimately expected to take responsibility for district health services, there is still widespread uncertainty as to the extent or limits of such services – and especially how they should best be financed.
- ///Health
While it is still unclear what all the factors are driving the high TB rates in Cape Town, it is certain that inequitable access to good housing, employment, education and as a consequence, nutritious food play a major role. Comparisons between two nearby suburbs, the more affluent Bothasig and mostly poverty stricken Uitsig, highlight the stark inequities when mapping the TB rates and comparing it with indicators such as housing, overcrowding and unemployment.