Ebola epidemic shows a failure of health services
The spread and severity of the West African Ebola epidemic is due to a lack of basic public health infrastructure, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan.
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Sex work becomes cheaper and riskier
Stagnating economic growth has affected the sex work industry as sex workers in Mpumalanga report charging less for work that some say has become more dangerous.
6 ways to fix South Africa’s HIV response
South African sex workers may have one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates and addressing this is just one of six ways South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) CEO Dr Fareed Abdullah says the country can fix its HIV response.
[Updated] Treatment Action Campaign faces closure
After almost two decades spent fighting for HIV treatment and access to medicines, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) may close its doors due to a severe funding shortage.
Medical male circumcision becomes the ‘in’ thing
Younger men say voluntary medical male circumcision is becoming cool among peers as the country continues rolling out new method.
New HSRC data shows HIV risk among steady couples
“Facebook official” may be more common these days than a wedding license for South Africans, who are increasingly forgoing marriage. But shacking up with your love in unwedded bliss may not keep them faithful, new data shows.
MEC advocates for private medical school
South Africa should aim to open a private medical school to address health care needs, said Western Cape MEC for Health Theuns Botha.
Rural health workers honoured
Creativity and an understanding of where your patients come from are key to being a successful rural doctor, says Dr Jenny Nash, who this week was named Rural Doctor of the Year.
Drugs make Grabouw teens feel “happy”
Children as young as 8 years old in the rural Western Cape are using drugs to escape problems like poverty, HIV and domestic violence, according research presented at the Rural Health Conference currently underway in Worcester.
New Soweto hospital accused of turning patients away
Patients have accused Soweto’s newly opened Zola-Jabulani Hospital of turning patients away who do not meet “emergency” criteria.
Stark differences in cancer screening for young, old women
While the Department of Health gears up for the next phase of its vaccine campaign to prevent cervical cancer in young girls, older South African women are left with an ineffective screening programme to prevent the killer cancer.
Hundreds of patient files found in public toilet
Hundreds of patient files full of sensitive personal information were recently discovered in the men’s toilet of one of Tshwane’s clinics.
Myths and dreams: The realities of epilepsy in rural South Africa
When Lusanda Ngwenya, 13, comes to – he is disorientated. He looks around at the faces of concerned family members and then becomes aware of a new pain somewhere on his body – maybe a knocked limb or a bitten tongue. He has just woken up from one of the seizures that accompany his epilepsy.
Man claims mother waited too long for bed
A Centurion man claims a Pretoria hospital did not give his mother a bed fast enough, but nurses disagree.
Surgery the ‘only chance’ for some obese patients
Sometimes surgery is the only intervention that can save obese patients from death caused by diseases such as heart failure, strokes, diabetes and hypertension.