Motsoaledi: Maternal, child focus remains post-MDGs
South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says three issues should top the post Millennium Development Goal (MDG) agenda.
Health Systems
Read More » Motsoaledi: Maternal, child focus remains post-MDGs
Boost for XDR-TB patients as cheaper pills allowed
The Medicines Control Council (MCC) has granted humanitarian group Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) access to a cheaper drug to treat extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).
Free State health crisis continues unabated
Unpaid health workers staged a night vigil and sit in at the offices of the Free State premier and MEC for health as the province’s health system continues to spiral – and the Free State Department of Health remains largely silent, say activists.
Dobsonville baby’s death reveals faults in system
The Gauteng Department of Health has promised to fix electrical wiring at Dobsonville’s Itireleng Community Health Centre by the end of this week following a public outcry over a baby’s death, but the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) says there are larger issues.
Ten reasons to go rural
Nationwide, health care students from nurses to psychologists are gearing up to submit their preferences for their community service placements. Our rural doctor-turned-blogger gives them 10 reasons to “go rural.”
24-hour clinic to open in Limpopo
Residents of Damani and surrounding areas in Limpopo’s Vhembe District will soon have access to 24-hour health care at the new Damani Clinic.
Free State health “collapses” amid alleged financial crisis
Hospitals turning away patients, unpaid health workers and stock outs of more more than 200 essential medicines and medical supplies – symptoms of a provincial health system that is imploding, say activists.
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.
Minister does not join call for DR-TB emergency
Despite activists’ pleas, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has not joined almost 800 health workers and experts in supporting the call to declare drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) a public health emergency.
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.
Thousands of prisoners may have undiagnosed TB
Thousands of prisoners across South Africa may have tuberculosis (TB) and have no idea, if recent studies are any indication. Now, the Department of Justice and Correctional Services (DJCS) promises an action plan to control the TB epidemic raging behind bars.
Guidelines: Management of TB, HIV & STIs in Correctional Facilities
Released by the Department of Health, this 58-page guidelines cover the management of tuberculosis (TB), HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in South Africa's 242 correctional facilities.
Resource: Analysing the NSP Indicators
The National Strategic Plan for HIV, STIs and TB sets a number of goals that are measured against a set of indicators. The NSP Review, a joint publication between the Treatment Action Campaign and SECTION27, has attempted to gather the data that is currently available.
Opinion: Facing the ‘White Plague’ in a white coat
As a medical student, Dr Dalene von Delft contracted multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The experience has propelled her into advocacy, she writes why.
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.