
Tobacco killing hundreds of millions
SHENZHEN '€“ Over 3 000 international cancer experts are currently meeting in China to renew their fight against a disease which is killing millions every year and to renew their efforts to control tobacco.

SHENZHEN '€“ Over 3 000 international cancer experts are currently meeting in China to renew their fight against a disease which is killing millions every year and to renew their efforts to control tobacco.

SHENZHEN '€“ At least five billion people live in countries with limited or no access to controlled pain medication with the vast majority having inadequate access to the most basic treatment for moderate to severe pain.

SHENZHEN '€“ The drive to prevent, treat and control cancer is facing a major turning point with the disease set to be given higher global priority.

Women leaders in South Africa have hailed the outcome of a microbicide gel study, saying it will help protect women who can'€™t negotiate safe sex with their partners against HIV infection.

Intensifying their search for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection, scientists are planning to run an improved version of the successful Thai HIV vaccine trial in South Africa next year.

This being National Immunisation Week, we focus on a vaccine for pneumonia, one of the illnesses that target children, and is responsible for the majority of infant morbidity and mortality rates.

Surgeons at Red Cross have given a group of children with facial anomalies a reason to smile.

Research shows that men are the main drivers of the HIV epidemic. Men transmit HIV to women, who, in turn, can infect their babies if they fall pregnant. But this can be prevented if men become a part of the woman'€™s pregnancy.

Advocacy organisations in the US and Uganda have welcomed the announcement that the U.S. global AIDS program, PEPFAR, has reversed severe restrictions that capped enrollment of new HIV patients on life saving treatment in Uganda.

The Public Service Accountability Monitor has issued a statement revealing details on the dire state of the Eastern Cape health department's finances. It also called on the department to reveal how the situation will impact on patients.

At the recent International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi appealed to donors to desist from cutting aid to support AIDS programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. The irony of his call, however, is that countries in Africa are not increasing their spending on health.

Gauteng Department of Health and Social development is urging pregnant women, patients with chronic lung and heart diseases, diabetic, school going learners under the age of 20 as well as senior citizens over 65 years to immunize against H1N1 virus by Friday, 31 July 2010.

Huge strides could be made towards reducing child deaths in South Africa by following the example of those who fought for the rights of people living with HIV.

The Children'€™s Act which came into force on April 1 places the onus on doctors and other health professionals to seek consent from their young patients for certain medical conditions including HIV testing, surgery and contraception.

A gastro-intestinal infection killed six babies at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in May, according to findings of an investigation launched into the tragedy. The investigation also found that health care staff did all they could to save the babies. Hospital systems, however, were found to be lacking.