Health e News
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Sarafina, Virodene, unspent millions – in a country with one of the fastest growing AIDS epidemics in the world, it’s sobering to say the least that these are the predominant associations one makes with the fight against AIDS in South Africa. The AIDS Review 2000, released by the Centre for the Study of AIDS at the University of Pretoria and written by Hein Marais, offers a fascinating overview of the South African response to HIV/AIDS since 1994.
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Until recently, the National Association for People Living with AIDS (NAPWA) has had a policy of hiring only HIV positive employees. However, NAPWA has been re-thinking this policy on the grounds that each and every South African is affected by the disease. Some also feel that the continuing distinction between HIV-positive and HIV-negative people runs the risk of feeding into the very prejudice and stigma which organisations such as NAPWA hope to overcome.
Despite the recent flooding in the north of the country, South Africa is a water-scarce country. Not only do we generally have low rainfall figures, a significant amount of water is lost to alien vegetation. The Working for Water programme was started by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in 1996 – both as a poverty-relief programme and as a means of clearing the alien vegetation that threatens our water supply.
The widespread practice of burning old tyres to retrieve and sell the wire inside them is not only a serious health hazard for neighbourhood residents, but poses a risk to air safety as well. Jo Stein reports.
The air at home is dangerous to the health of more than half South Africa’s population. This is because some 50 percent of households still use “dirty” fuels such as paraffin, coal and wood for heating and cooking Jo Stein reports.
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Alcohol abuse, unemployment and zero prospects make the Northern Cape the country’s most violent province, with the highest rape and assaults rates per 100 000 people.
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Despite high levels of alcohol and drug abuse in Cape Town, very few public rehabilitation centres exist to provide free treatment to those without private medical aids. This is according to a recent study by the Medical Research Council. Jo Stein reports.
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A new fortified cookie designed to suppliment micronutrients in school children is being launched in Durban today (22 March 2000). The carotino-nutritional biscuit is the product of four years of scientific tests. It was developed by the MRC to eliminate the widespread deficiency in vitamins A, E and iron which is essential for good mental and physical development in South African children.
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In one year, five community health workers and two volunteer nurses have transformed health care in the Masiphumelele community near Noordhoek, reversing the low cure rate for tuberculosis to reach an astounding 100%.
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Don’t rely on the workers’ compensation system to provide for you if you get injured at work; the system may only add insult to injury. This is according to a submission to the Public Protector requesting a formal inquiry into the Office of the Compensation Commissioner.
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When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) its seems that public health care offers patients more appropriate treatment and better medication. However, because of the sensitive nature of STDs, many patients still tend to opt for private care. JO STEIN explores the findings of a recent research report.
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“Mama Khoza” spends most of her weekends at graveyards, not really to honour those who have already moved on, but as she puts it “to bury the cream of Mamelodi”. “I told someone last week. We are burying the cream of Mamelodi – youngsters who are in the process of completing their degrees,” says Veronica Khoza, a retired nurse, who now runs Tateni, a community-based home care project.