The Covid-19 pandemic overshadows the elderly’s day of celebrations
1 October is International Day for Older Persons. The Covid-19 pandemic has not only muted celebrations, it has highlighted the vulnerability of the elderly.
Health
Read More » The Covid-19 pandemic overshadows the elderly’s day of celebrations
The first person cured of HIV has died
The First person cured of HIV has died. Known as the ‘Berlin Patient,’ the Timothy Ray Brown succumbed to leukemia but remained HIV-negative.
Exams go ahead as over 100 learners test positive for coronavirus at Eastern Cape school
A wave of coronavirus infections has hit schools in the Eastern Cape. The education department says exams must continue though, and is putting regulations in place.
‘You literally have to watch your back’ – Being LGBTQI+ in the North West
Anele Xhati shares her experiences of being an LGBTQI+ activist and transwoman in the North West. Xhati talks about the real-life dangers in communities, and discrimination in the workplace, and how lockdown has made life harder for the province’s LGBTQI+ community.
Patients with non-communicable diseases face greater Covid-19 risk, says WHO Africa
A preliminary study of Covid-19 cases and fatalities in Africa shows patients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension and asthma are at far greater risk. What’s more, the focus on the pandemic has disrupted care for these non-communicable diseases.
An activist is helping rural girls, and boys, find self-worth through access to sanitary pads
The need for sanitary pads makes young women vulnerable to a number of social ills, from missing school to exploitative relationships. Covering stories like this inspired a a Tzaneen journalist to become a community activist.
There are lessons from HIV on how to effectively respond to Covid-19 and beyond, says UNAIDS
The response to Covid-19 can learn much from how countries in southern Africa handled the HIV pandemic. A new report by UNAIDS says the coronavirus pandemic is a chance to reimagine health systems.
Study finds wearing masks could relax attitudes toward social distancing regulations
A study in the United Kingdom finds that people are willing to ignore social distancing requirements when in the company of those who wore masks. South Africans also said masks made them feel safer.
Lockdown forces a mother to live at a hospital for months while her son battles cancer
A mother determined to support her child as he battles cancer has moved into hospital. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, spotlighting the plight of children suffering from cancer and how their caregivers cope.
‘We will not sleep with empty stomach’- Household gardens root out food insecurity in rural areas
Household food gardens are helping these rural villages to fight hunger, while also bringing in an income. The project is facing challenges though, due to climate and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Double burden: Covid-19 has made the load women carry even heavier than before
Even before the pandemic, women carried an unequal burden of social, cultural and economic ills. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated this, with the effects of lockdown disproportionately affecting women, write Charlotte Motsoari and Amina Mwaikambo at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.
South Africa may have stepped on human rights in Covid-19 response, report finds
A report by a human rights group finds that countries, including South Africa, may have violated the rights of vulnerable communities in their response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Behind the mask: Nasrec nurse offers glimpse of life and hope in isolation
The Nasrec field hospital was built to isolate people with Covid-19 infections. Inside, a team of healthcare workers and patients have become something of a temporary family, writes Jamaine Krige.
New long-acting injectable drug might soon be a key HIV treatment
American scientists have developed an injectable drug that blocks HIV from entering cells. They say the new drug potentially offers long-lasting protection with fewer side effects and could eventually replace drug ‘cocktail’ therapies.
New Covid-19 tracing app could prevent second surge and save lives
South Africans are urged to download the newly developed Covid Alert SA app to strengthen the country’s contact tracing efforts. Experts say user privacy will be protected.