South Africa’s cholera outbreak, with cases reported in five provinces, has claimed 26 lives. On World Food Safety Day, a food safety expert says ensuring proper food safety and hygiene protocols is the most effective way to prevent the further…
The cost of treating Hepatitis C In South Africa will drastically decrease in the coming months. Currently, a 3-month treatment course is R19,984 per patient. The National Health Department says the price cut will make treatment much more affordable. Health…
The decision by the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Health to adopt the National Health Insurance Bill (NHI) in its current form has concerned civil society organisations. The bill was first introduced in parliament in August 2019 and will now…
The entire Vhembe District in Limpopo, including five hospitals and several clinics have been without water since Monday. Protesting residents have shut down the pumping of the water supply at Nandoni Dam, the main water source. Neil Shikwambana, Limpopo Department…
South Africa now faces its fourth outbreak of mainly childhood diseases since last year. This follows the confirmation of a diphtheria outbreak by the National Department of Health last week after cases were recorded in Kwazulu-Natal and in the Western…
Experts have warned healthcare workers not to wait for laboratory diagnoses, and to treat all diarrhoea cases as suspected cholera until proven otherwise. Addressing the media on Tuesday, the Head of the Centre for Enteric Diseases at the National Institute…
The fight against biotech giant Vertex Pharmaceuticals is gaining traction in South Africa. It holds the patent to Trikafta, currently the only effective treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF). The drug is only accessible to wealthy patients in wealthy nations. Trikafta…
Better funding and an environment that makes it easier for people to make healthy choices are key for South Africa to overcome its hypertension and diabetes burdens. A recent study by the University of Stellenbosch points to the detrimental impact…
Experts say the disruptions caused by consistent power outages are forcing South Africans to consume more unhealthy foods putting them at higher risk of hypertension. In South Africa, more than 1 in 3 adults live with hypertension. An unhealthy diet,…
South Africa is in the midst of a mumps outbreak for the first time in over two decades, with over 1322 positive cases reported. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases(NICD) says Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng recorded the majority of cases.…
Disease experts warn it is critically important that South Africans get their Covid-19 vaccines, especially immunocompromised people. This comes after the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 is no longer a global public health emergency. Professor Cheryl Cohen, Head of the…
Vaccines have been one of the greatest medical achievements of our time, saving countless lives and preventing the spread of deadly diseases. However, despite the benefits of immunisation, many children around the world are still not being vaccinated, which can…
A third person has died after receiving the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in South Africa. But an immunisation expert says that it is highly unlikely that SA will record a higher number of deaths from the vaccine than other…
The ageing population, lack of knowledge, change in lifestyles, high HIV burden, excessive use of alcohol, smoking and high costs to receive care could contribute to the rise of cancer deaths in South Africa. This is according to the Director…
Despite learner deaths, several court interventions and the outright banning of pit toilets at schools by the Minimum uniform norms and standards for public school infrastructure (the school infrastructure law) in 2013 this type of sanitation remains a reality for…