A tale of receiving life
Most South Africans are not aware that they can donate organs to save the lives of others. Many are simply not willing to. This leaves those needing organ transplants at risk of desperate illness or loss of life.
Health
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‘€˜My illness has become my friend’€™
Kidney problems can affect anyone, but it mainly afflicts those who suffer from hypertension and diabetes. In some cases it is hereditary. Those diagnosed with kidney failure are required to undergo treatment until they receive a kidney transplant.
Quality of health care depends on geography
JOHANNESBURG: (PlusNews) - The quality of health care, including access to HIV prevention and testing services, depends to a large extent on which of South Africa's 52 districts you happen to live in.
Slow but steady progress in most districts
The two most deprived districts in the country are Umzinyathi and Umkhanyekude in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the District Health Barometer (DHB) which was released last night (Monday 6 July).
Made in Africa
Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)has called for a single African Drug Agency to ensure the sustainability and availability of quality lifesaving drugs so desperately needed on the continent. Sidebe directed his call at a leaders meeting at the African Union summit in Libya.
Government’s OSD offer is anti-rural
The latest pay offer reduces the rural allowance for doctors without explantion. By Dr. Bernard Gaede.
HIV community mourns Steve Andrews
The HIV community is reeling from the death of Cape Town doctor Steve Andrews (39) '€“ activist and people'€™s doctor and one of the top HIV physicians in the country. Andrews, personal physician to many HIV activists, died in his sleep on Friday night.
Help others live
Up until March this year, there were 1 234 people in need of a kidney transplant in the Johannesburg region alone. So far, only 20 people have received kidney transplants. South Africans are being called upon to become organ donors.
Tracking the MDGs
While South Africa has made some progress towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), mental health and poverty remain major challenges, according to public hearings on the MDGs hosted by the SA Human Rights Commission.
Kidneys in short supply
About 3 500 patients are currently on the waiting list for kidney transplants. At Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital alone, 160 patients are awaiting a transplant. But not all of them will be lucky enough to receive a kidney.
‘€˜Mental health is an overlooked priority’€™, commission told
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has heard that mental health is an overlooked priority. This was said at the Commission'€™s recent public hearings focusing on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the realisation of economic and social rights in South Africa.
Zim illegal immigrants denied access to health care – MSF
International medical and humanitarian aid organisation Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), has released a report detailing the extent to which illegal Zimbabwean immigrants, are denied the right to access health care in South Africa.
New development in TB treatment
Pharmaceutical giant Tibotec and the non-profit Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) have teamed up to expedite the development of TMC207, which could become the first TB drug with a new mechanism of action in 40 years.
‘€˜HIV testing needs to be creative’€™ – doctor Living with AIDS # 394
More South Africans are now testing to find out their HIV status according to the 2008 National HIV prevalence survey. But more creative ways to test for HIV are needed to encourage even more people to test.
Promising new drug to treat TB
JOHANNESBURG:(PlusNews) - For the first time in nearly half a century, the world may be on the verge of adding a new drug to its arsenal against tuberculosis (TB) '€“ one that would not only drastically improve the treatment of TB and its multidrug-resistant strains, but also shorten it.