Health e News
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In 1994, when the African National Congress (ANC) came to power, it outlined in its election manifesto equitable access to healthcare, envisaged by an integrated, equitable and comprehensive health system. In 2011, the NHI journey started when the NHI Green Paper was published for public consultation. This was followed by NHI pilot projects in 2012 with a focus on health system strengthening initiatives. Ahead of the NHI Bill being signed into law, here’s a selection of NHI stories that Health-e News has reported on. If you want to do a deep dive, all NHI stories are available here:
by Chantelle Kriel, CEO of Casa Caritas. Most children with disabilities require care beyond what parents or primary caregivers can provide. In South Africa, many parents with disabled children struggle to earn a basic living, let alone afford the optimal care their children need. And, if children with disabilities do not receive proper care, they can be at risk of developing malnutrition, aspiration from not being fed correctly and scoliosis, which is a sideways curvature of the spine due to a lack of adequate physical therapy. Today, approximately 15% (more than one billion) of people globally have some form of disability. To highlight the plight of people with disabilities, the United Nations (UN) established International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 1992, which is celebrated every year on the 3rd of December 2023. The day is aimed at creating awareness of the many challenges faced by the disabled community and
by Dr Ntombifikile Mtshali, CEO of Shout-It-Now, a South African NPC that delivers youth-friendly, community-based HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and related services in the Gauteng and North West provinces. Young children learn by imitating the behaviours of those around them, especially adults in their immediate environment. What they see and hear – they do. While this is perfectly acceptable when it applies to the respectable traits and good habits that form the foundation of being a responsible citizen, it is not for those behaviours that are inappropriate, toxic and harmful. Our children emulate all our behaviours because they do not know the difference. It is up to us to show them. For the past 25 years South Africa has initiated its annual 16 Days of Activism for no Violence Against Women and Children campaign, but despite efforts, gender-based violence is rampant in the country. Every single day there are 146
South Africans are facing tough economic times this holiday season. Poultry producers have warned of an increase in the price of chicken and eggs. This carries major concerns about the nutritional needs of poor and working class families who rely on these as their main protein source. Protein is an important part of a healthy and well balanced diet. The protein in our diets comes mainly from food that we get from animals like meat, fish, chicken and dairy. “If chicken gets a bit more expensive, then people – especially low-income earners won’t be able to afford it. And eggs are very good for children and pregnant women. So an increase in the price of both chicken and eggs might compromise some people’s nutrient intake,” says Professor Xikombiso Mbhenyane, head of the Division of Human Nutrition, and Research Chair in Food Environments, Nutrition and Health at Stellenbosch University. We get