World endorses more ‘war on drugs’
The world’s hardline "war on drugs" has resulted in violence, criminalised drug users and exacerbated HIV and Hepatitis C infection. Yet the UN has just endorsed a similar approach.
Health
Read More » World endorses more ‘war on drugs’
Distributing clean needles to curb the spread of HIV
The Step Up Project runs needle exchange programmes with injecting drug users in Cape Town, Durban and Tshwane.
Sugar tax could save South Africa billions
South Africa’s recently announced tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could save South Africa billions if implemented over the next 20 years, according to recent University of Witwatersrand research.
Drugs: World contemplates punishment or rehabilitation
The prohibition of illegal drugs has failed to stop drug use, instead fanning a massive and violent black market. This week, the UN meets to discuss whether its ‘war on drugs’ approach needs to change
Statement: Eastern Cape responds to South African Human Rights Commission report
The Eastern Cape Department of Health responds to an October 2015 South African Human Rights Commission report alleging that the province failed to adequately fulfill citizens’ rights to emergency medical services (EMS).
Report: Access to Emergency Medical Services in the Eastern Cape
In its 104-page report, the South African Human Rights Commission finds that the Eastern Cape Department of Health has failed to adequately fulfill the right that no person may be denied access to emergency medical services.
New HIV treatment to debut in June
ViiV Healthcare is expected to introduce the latest in antiretroviral treatment in South Africa’s private sector in June at about R720 per month.
One in nine TB patients co-infected with diabetes
About one in nine South African tuberculosis (TB) patients are also living with type 2 diabetes, according to Stellenbosch University medical biologist Dr Katharina Ronache. Ronacher warns rising rates of co-infection could have consequences for treatment outcomes.
New HIV pill slated for privileged few?
Better HIV treatment is coming to South Africa, but a lack of generic producers of the new antiretroviral dolutegravir may keep it in the hands of the few for years to come.
Quarter of surveyed health facilities report stock outs
Almost 25 percent of health facilities surveyed nationally have gone without HIV or tuberculosis (TB) medicines at least once in the last year, according to preliminary survey results released this week.
A practical guide to preparing to die
Do you want to die in hospital full of tubes, or peacefully at home with loved ones? Now is the time to make proper arrangements, warns Hospice Palliative Care Association of SA (HPCA).
Johannesburg to launch citywide diabetes campaign
In search of jobs and a better life, droves of South Africans are flocking to the country's cities but a switch to city living could come at a deadly price.
Cancer an unknown killer in rural South Africa
For many women in rural areas, cancer remains a killer and some say they knew too little to see the dreaded diagnosis coming.
Death, dying and silence in the Eastern Cape
One year after the South African Human Rights Commission found the Eastern Cape had failed to uphold citizens’ right to emergency care, communities are still waiting for answers, writes Ntsiki Mpulo.
Mpumalanga school health programme battles parents, budgets
The Mpumalanga Department of Health is looking to take school health services to more of the province’s children, but parents and budgets may stand in its way.