Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy (2013)
In line with international recommendations, these national guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding for all mothers, regardless of HIV status.
Health Systems
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Need to rethink palliative care in South Africa
Hospice is still a place associated with HIV, cancer and death. But rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may mean South Africa needs to rethink the meaning of hospice.
Government unveils NCD strategic plan
With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for almost half of all deaths in South Africa, the department of health has released a new strategy to curb rising rates of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and hypertension.
Task team to probe healthcare meltdown
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has sent a task team to the Eastern Cape to investigate the deterioration of provincial health services.
Baby’s death sparks national campaign to fix the Eastern Cape
Dr. Dingeman Rijken will always remember baby Ikho. Now, following the infant's death at the hands of a failing health system, a national campaign will ensure others don't forget him either.
Be warned
OPINION: Section27 Executive Director Mark Heywood on a controversial new campaign to fix the Eastern Cape's health system - and why a new health report should come with a warning label.
Eastern Cape clinics face widespread shortages
Pilani Clinic is often the first point of care for patients from the Eastern Cape's Coffee Bay area but it is often not their last as systemic shortages fuel a referral system that is costing patient lives and money.
Proposed policy could mean fewer patents, cheaper drugs
South Africa’s first intellectual property policy could curb abusive patents and slash medicine prices if a newly released draft is any indication.
Moves to safeguard water amid proposed fracking may not be enough
The anti-fracking lobby continues to lash government plans to allow the controversial mining practice in the Karoo. Activists say that despite recent government regulations aimed at safeguarding communities and water supplies, the risk is just too great.
Draft intellectual property policy to be released
South Africa has one of the most lax patent review systems in the world. Now, a new draft policy – set to be released next week – could change that and lower medicine prices.
New private hospital for Soshanguve
Construction of a state-of-the-art, 100-bed private hospital has begun in Soshanguve. The project started in March 2013 and the hospital is to completed in 2014.
Healthworkers unite for positive work environment
Health professionals working in public facilities around the country have come together to campaign for a better working environment and improved services for patients.
Insufficient sanitation for Ehashahasheni residents
In the informal settlement Ehashahasheni (also known as Flukplaas) in Ekurhuleni on the East Rand of Joburg, around 500 households share two water taps and 16 bucket toilets.
Emergency Medical Services a problem in Mgungundlovu, Public Protector told
MEDIA STATEMENT: Transportation and emergency care for the ill have emerged as key problems in KwaZulu-Natal’s Mgungundlovu District, with the area’s Emergency Medical Service coming under heavy criticism during Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela’s visit to Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.
Private pharmacies to help end stock-outs?
Public health patients may soon be able to collect their medicine from private pharmacies in a massive public-private partnership that could eliminate medicine stock-outs.