Generic company wins right to produce antibiotic
A South African generic manufacturer recently won its case against pharmaceutical giant SmithKline Beecham allowing it to produce a generic of SKB'€™s penicillin-based antibiotic.
Health Systems
Read More » Generic company wins right to produce antibiotic
Planning ahead for health personnel
As part of provinces' quest to put their scarce health resources to the best use, provincial health management recently held a workshop with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to plan what personnel they will need in future.
Quality of health care declines in SA
The problem of access has been sited as one of the reasons for the decline in the quality of healthcare in South Africa.
No clarity on unicity health staff transfers
Despite the decision to transfer over 2 500 health workers from Gauteng province to Johannesburg once it becomes a unicity, no formal agreement exists between the city'€™s management and the province on how this will happen. KERRY CULLINAN reports.
Keeping healthcare on track
Phelophepa, Transnet'€™s mobile health train that has bought primary health care to thousands of rural South Africans, is managing to reach almost 5 000 individuals every week. Within four years the train has managed to reach a total of 67 855 patients, who receive quality and in most cases, free health care. ANSO THOM reports.
Daring to dream
Every afternoon at about 5pm a red van stops next to an open piece of land in Masoyi near the Kruger Park. A woman gets out and looks around, sometimes staring at the piece of land, other days "shoo-ing people who have erected shacks overnight". Behind this piece of land lies a dream. "I must dream, I must'€¦," Lucy Ngobeni whispers.
Severe head injuries ‘€“ who gets treated?
A controversial new approach to rationing care for head-injuries is being developed at Groote Schuur hospital. The new policy, introduced because budget cuts mean that there are insufficient resources to give optimum care to all severe head injuries, will give doctors guidelines as to which patients should receive the most intensive care. Jo Stein reports.
UCT to open private clinic by January 2001
Groote Schuur'€™s medical centre for private patients is planning to open its doors in January next year while similar plans at Tygerberg Hospital have been put on hold.The University of Cape Town signed an agreement with a German partner, Rhoen-Klinikum earlier this year, to open a new UCT Medical Centre in Groote Schuur Hospital.
Making people count
If the rich consume more health resources than the poor, any efforts to redress the gap between the haves and have-nots must include a commitment to equity and not just equality. Sue Valentine attended a recent international workshop in the North West Province aimed at developing efective equity gauges to measure the gaps in health spending and resource allocation.
Health Bill delayed again
When Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang assumed power last year, she promised a new health bill this year. But this has been delayed yet again, in a saga that is over five years' long.
Jane Furse: a hospital in crisis
Dr Marcus Mumakwe'€™s wedding is giving the superintendent of Jane Furse Hospital a headache. Mumakwe wants two weeks'€™ leave but as he is one of only four doctors at a hospital that should have 13, this is a difficult request.
New Medical Schemes Act increases access for many
Although too early to accurately determine, medical schemes are reporting a positive response to the newly promulgated Medical Schemes Act, which allows people to join schemes without being penalised on the basis of age or health status.
Not too healthy yet
At the level of words and policies South Africa'€™s health system is broadly on track towards a more effective and equitable service, but implementation and delivery still have a long way to go.
Provinces hamper health equity
Ever since provinces were given the power to allocate their own budgets, provincial health departments have been battling to get enough funds. Three health economists propose that central government establishes national norms and standards for health services to ensure that provinces allocate enough money to health.
Health Department cuts spending
Despite the HIV/AIDS epidemic, government has cut health spending over the past year and it will spend even less per capita next year. "Add to this the pressure of HIV/AIDS and it becomes clear that we have more difficulties ahead of us," Tshabalala-Msimang told the first-ever consultative meeting between herself, health MECs, MPs and MPLs dealing with health matters.