Here’s what South African nurses want
Although the ‘mouth, eyes and ears of the vulnerable and the defenceless’ nurses struggle with dangerous understaffing, equipment and medicine shortages and meagre salaries.
Health
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[Op-Ed]Local production could solve shortages of essential pandemic-fighting equipment
The new coronavirus has exposed the staggeringly uneven distribution of life-saving medical equipment across the world. Ventilators are an essential tool in the treatment of respiratory illnesses, including severe cases of COVID-19, yet across 41 African countries there are fewer than 2,000 ventilators serving hundreds of millions of people. By Joshua Setipa, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank.
#InternationalMidwivesDay: ‘They called me Lucifer’
This is the story of a midwife who was stigmatised for her commitment to a woman’s right to choice.
[Op-Ed]Sexual and reproductive health and rights are an important component of human rights
As South Africa joins the global community in fighting a pandemic, this presents an opportune moment to also reflect holistically on our health system, especially health services for womxn. As today marks World Health Day, it’s also important to remind ourselves of the importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for our overall health and well-being. By Angelica Pino, Programmes Director, Sonke Gender Justice.
#WorldHealthDay: Three lessons Covid-19 teaches us about South Africa’s healthcare system
The way the country has tried to flatten the curve shows how public health is a group assignment — and that many actors are needed to efficiently address long-standing healthcare issues.
#LockDownSA: In two minutes, here’s what you need know about the 21 day lockdown
As South Africa undergoes a 21-day lockdown, here's what you need to know.
#TransHealthMatters: Legal gender marker changes aren’t trivial
In South Africa, changing one’s gender marker and names on legal documents and certificates is an arduous process, and government officials who aren’t sensitised to transgender people’s struggles are part of the problem.
‘The NHI has the potential to improve sexual and reproductive health services in SA’
Ten years ago, activist Marion Steven wrote about how sexual and reproductive health services could benefit from the NHI Bill. But she neglected some issues.
Where are the children in the NHI?
Child and adolescent health needs a strong champion in the NHI, as the current policy framework is skewed towards adult burden of disease and efficacy of services.
Promises yet to be honoured at Rivoni School for the Blind
Unconditional love fills the gaps caused by poor infrastructure, and helps ensure the academic success of visually-impaired learners in Limpopo.
Covid-19 Pandemic: Panic or Preparation?
More thought needs to go into South Africa’s plan of action for the disease, if the country hopes to not overburden an already strained healthcare system.
#WorldCancerDay: Getting treatment in Limpopo is like waiting for death
Cervical cancer claimed Nkhanyeleni Vele’s life this past weekend, but with a higher number of cancer specialists on duty, her death could have been avoided.
Mamlambo: A day in the life of a lesbian taxi driver
In a country as violent as South Africa, discrimination because of her gender and sexuality is a reality that 28-year-old Mamlabo faces every day.
Unions demand absorption of community service workers
While health facilities say there are staff shortages, many qualified nurses and community service workers remain unemployed. Unions say these professionals should be absorbed into the department.
The festive season is upon us… but so is diabetes
The festive season is a time of decadent food, drink and all things merry, but do you know the long-term effects of the foods you consume during this time?