Opinion: The silver bullet of indicators?
The Treatment Action Campaign’s Marcus Low writes why HIV viral load testing may be the most important HIV indicator. Now, if we could only monitor it.
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Opinion: Doctor bodies speak on Certificate of Need
Doctor associations are appealing to government to work with them, writes South African Medical Journal News Editor Chris Bateman following the sudden promulgation of the long-dormant but controversial Certificate of Needs (CoN) law.
Tshepong Hospital brings man back from death’s door
Samuel Matebele thought his "days were over", but six-months after completing tuberculosis (TB) treatment the former farm worker from Hartebeesfontein says he is feeling good again.
Litigation threat may prompt access to cheaper DR-TB drug
South Africa may finally allow access to a cheaper form of the drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) drug linezolid following the lodging of a high court case.
Opinion: Helping to fix the system
Antiretrovirals continue to be the most reported medicine out of stock as the civil society Stop Stock Out Project continues, write Project Coordinator Monique Lines and Medicines Sans Frontieres pharmacist Tinne Gils.
Antiretrovirals credited for TB decline
South Africa is seeing about 79,000 fewer TB cases annually thanks to increased HIV treatment uptake, according to the latest research from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID)
Government to introduce new drug-resistant TB drugs
Government’s small-scale introduction of the first new TB drug in four decades is saving lines and paving the way for more, better and cheaper drugs to treat drug-resistant TB. Many wonder if they will come fast enough for those who need them.
Opinion: TB behind bars
Despite court-mandated moves by government to stem the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, a recent Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) investigation has found just eight doctors serve the Department of Correctional Services, according to this piece written by TAC researcher Lieve Vanleeuw.
SA second in world to adopt new TB prevention guidance
The Department of Health is expected to launch new tuberculosis (TB) guidelines at the South African TB Conference, which begins today in Durban.
GeneXpert’s benefits still not reaching patients
The Department of Health’s multi-million rand investment in an automated, rapid TB test is being short-changed by slow health systems, said researchers this week.
‘Dr. Death’s’ guilty verdict could set precedent
As the Health Professionals Council of South Africa’s (HPSCA) postpones the sentencing Dr Wouter Basson for his role in apartheid’s biological warfare again this week, experts are calling for clear guidelines to deal with doctors involved in unethical behaviour.
Randburg cancer survivor sets his sights on gold
Shaun Harris is South Africa’s fourth fastest 50m freestyle swimmer and has set his sights on gold at the 2016 Olympics just two years after beating cancer.
Syndicates taking medical aids for ride
Crooked doctors and hospital admission clerks are at the centre of syndicates illegally benefiting from hospital cash plans, according to Discovery Health CEO Dr Jonathan Broomberg
The fat life, island style
Pacific islands famous for white sands and turquoise seas are also home to some of the fattest people in the world, according to global research released today by The Lancet medical journal.
Tembisa “killer hospital” left father to die, says family
Tembisa Hospital is at the centre of an investigation again after one man's family alleges that staff left him to die. Now, his daughter is on a quest to find the truth.