Yoliswa Sobuwa
In South Africa, where rates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are among the highest in the world, there is an urgent need for awareness and prevention programmes to help women avoid alcohol during pregnancy and provide support for those already affected.
The legacy of apartheid has resulted in an unequal distribution of resources between public and private sectors, leading to inadequate human resources and poor quality of care in the public sector.
Baby Ortica, was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital condition that affects the development of the skull, head, and face.
The new regimen involves a combination of four to five drugs taken over six months and offers a shorter, more accessible treatment option.
The upgrade is expected to enhance the hospital’s capacity to treat more patients from across Africa and improve the quality of care for burn victims.
The health compact is intended to unite various sectors of society in addressing South Africa’s health challenges, but the lack of consensus highlights the ongoing divisions over the best approach to achieving universal health coverage.
The department has a history of non-payment, which has previously disrupted services, such as halting surgeries at Leratong Regional Hospital.
Despite estimates from the International Diabetes Federation indicating that around 4.2 million South Africans live with diabetes, the true extent of the disease remains unclear due to a lack of accurate and comprehensive data.
Health experts are urging caution, especially for those traveling from affected areas, while South Africa’s health authorities continue monitoring and contact-tracing efforts.
New infections are particularly high among adolescent girls and women between the ages of 15 and 49. Women in these age groups have higher infection rates than their male counterparts.
Many people, especially men, move frequently for work. Seasonal and part-time workers often prioritise employment over health services and may not seek necessary transfer letters for continued treatment in new locations.
Many people who cannot afford to buy drinking water rely solely on water provided by the trucks. But there have been concerns from residents on how safe it is to drink the water from these trucks.