Hospital slashes babies’ HIV infection rate
Only 5% of babies born to HIV positive mothers at a small, dedicated hospital get the virus.
Health Systems
Read More » Hospital slashes babies’ HIV infection rate
Patients fear anti-retroviral drugs
Fear of antiretroviral drugs meant that most patients at one of the country's oldest HIV/AIDS treatment clinics waited until they were desperate before seeking treatment.
Now the HR talks can begin
The health department's human resources plan has finally been released, and now the discussions can begin about how to ensure that the country has enough health workers to serve the nation.
Draft HR Plan unveiled
Four months after it was promised, the Ministry of Health has finally launched the Draft Strategic Framework for Human Resources for Health.
MSF warns of 12-fold price increase in ARVs
While generic production has brought down the prices of most first-line anti-retrovirals from over U$10 000 (R70 000) in 2000 to as little as U$150 (R1 050) per patient per year in June this year, prices of newer ARVs and formulations for children are up to 12 times higher.
Fewer people on medical aid
Only 15% of South Africans nationally have any form of medical aid, according the latest statistics released by StatsSA which were drawn from the 2004 General Household Survey.
Global Health Watch slams WHO
Life expectancy in Africa is 27 years less than that in the developed world but the World Health Organisation is not being effective in addressing poor health, according to the Global Health Watch 2005/6.
Cape Town nurses share their HIV experiences
Around 30 nurses and managers shared their insights, experiences and coping mechanisms amid the Aids epidemic. They were interviewed by Uta Lehman and Jabu Zulu of the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape, in the latest issue of Critical Health Perspectives.
‘G8 countries robbing Africa’ ‘ UK health experts
CAPE TOWN - On the eve of the much-hyped G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland health experts have hit out at the English speaking countries in the exclusive club, accusing them of giving aid with one hand while robbing African countries with the other by 'siphoning off their most precious resource ' doctors and nurses'.
866 000 waiting on ARV treatment in SA – UNAIDS and WHO
Efforts to treat three million people by the end of this year are expected to fail with South Africa, India and Nigeria already falling well short of their targets.
PMTCT gains reversed by unsupportive environment
Many of the babies saved by nevirapine from getting HIV from their mothers at birth are being infected with the virus later in communities where health systems are weak and there is little support for their mothers.
Patients battling to get ARVs in weaker provinces
While 42 000 people are on anti-retroviral drugs at government sites an estimated 650 000 people still need treatment. On the eve of the 2nd National Aids Conference, Health-e News Service assesses the state of government's roll-out plan.
Western Cape leads the way
The Western Cape has the longest track record of ARV treatment. Health-e spoke to Dr Fareed Abdullah, one of the driving forces behind the province's success in tackling the Aids epidemic.
Right of reply
The Department of Health has responded to a series of print and radio articles produced by Health-e News Service on the human resources crisis facing South Africa's health sector as well as the impact of the Department's delay in releasing a crucial Human Resources Plan.
HR plan far from ready
Government's plan to address the critical shortage of nurses and doctors is months from developing practical guidelines.