Across the world and more recently in South Africa, the tobacco industry and its allies continuously push to weaken or repeal smoke-free laws.
Two common tactics used to weaken laws are to allow business to create designated smoking rooms or areas, or to build complex and expensive ventilation systems.
It is a handsome, energised young couple that meet me at a coffee shop in Claremont, Cape Town. Lee-Anne (28) orders an apple juice - she'€™s careful of what she eats and drinks because she'€™s 11 weeks pregnant. Ashton (27), orders the same, subtly encouraging his wife'€™s dedication to her own health, and that of their child.
The world is making significant progress in coming to grips with the HIV epidemic, however in many countries stigma and lack of human rights remain.
It is estimated that more than 500 million people worldwide will have diabetes in 20 years'€™ time. As World Diabetes day was commemorated last week, people have been warned to take better care of their health by reducing their risk of getting diabetes.
Bethlehem '€“ A 5-year-old girl died in the casualty ward at Phekolong Hospital in Bethlehem this week while nurses scurried around trying to find a bed for her in the casualty ward.
Lusikisiki '€“ This week Mtshana Mvlisi spoke to Nonyameko Ntiyo about her long and at times difficult journey back to health.
Lusikisiki- Twelve clinics and two hospitals that fall under the Qaukeni local district are continuing to experience critical drug shortages and stock outs.
OurHealth: Tshwane '€“ The provincial Department of Health in Gauteng recently celebrated World Stroke Day at the KT Motubatse Centre in the township of Soshanguve, in Tshwane, Gauteng.
Results from the largest multi-country implementation of the new rapid tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic test reveal an urgent need to address the growing global crisis of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), according to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
About 500 000 people are expected to benefit from a US$30million global project aimed at addressing non-communicable diseases. The project will be rolled out in four countries, including South Arica, and will have a special focus on diabetes.
African leaders were criticised for failing to prioritise immunisation with life-saving vaccines for children under five years of age to prevent deadly infectious diseases.
The Desmond Tutu TB Centre (DTTC) at the University of Stellenbosch will today receive an international award for its groundbreaking research into childhood TB and for its pioneering community-based approaches to TB and HIV care.
Despite knowing the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of a child'€™s life, many new mothers often encounter challenges that prevent them from breast-feeding.
Results from a pivotal, large-scale Phase III trial, published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that the RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate can help protect African infants against malaria. Read the rest of the press release.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu writes in the Wall Street Journal that South African mines are incubating a deadly form of tuberculosis that is spreading world-wide. Read the full article.
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