Limpopo is the poorest of all provinces with almost seven out of 10 households living on less than R800 per month. Most of the districts in this northern province fall into the two lowest (worst) socio-economic quintiles in South Africa.
The Western Cape has the best socio-economic development in the country with over 98 percent of people accessing piped water. However the inequity within the province has increased over the last year.
Almost all residents of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni have access to piped water, according to the District Health Barometer 2006/7.
Although primary health care expenditure in Mpumalanga has doubled to R189 per person over the past four years, it is still the lowest in South Africa.
Four of the 10 poorest districts in the country are in the Eastern Cape, the bottom two being the province's OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo.
Last Friday, the Department of Health released its long overdue policy revision of the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programme (PMTCT). But medical experts say the new policy is still inadequate.
At any given time, about 80% of the children in Manguzi Hospital's paediatric ward are HIV positive and suffer a multitude of infections, particularly pneumonia and chronic lung diseases.
By targeting Dr Colin Pfaff for disciplinary action, the KwaZulu-Natal health department risks alienating rural doctors and causing more to leave.
On the 25th of January, the Department of Health announced that it would publish new guidelines for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission allowing doctors to give both Nevirapine and AZT to pregnant women with HIV. But once again, it seems to be dragging its feet on the matter.
OPINION: Internationally, homeopathy faces cuts in state subsidies because of question-marks about its efficacy. South Africa should follow suit, as this complementary medicine is based on an 'absurd premise', argues Dr. Mark Colvin
An expert in high-care says the desperate shortage of nurses trained in intensive care services is too complex and needs a multi-dimensional approach to address it.
Manguzi doctor Colin Pfaff, facing misconduct charges from the health department for implementing dual therapy to save babies from HIV, gets support from colleagues
After years of debate, the national Department of Health has changed its protocol for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. Last week, the National Health Council's policy committee adopted new guidelines for PMTCT.
A recent study published in the South African Medical Journal suggests that the shortage of suitable emergency transport services for patients needing intensive care is putting patients' lives at risk and results in an increase in medical costs.
After years of stalling and much criticism from the HIV/AIDS sector, the Policy Committee of the National Health Council on Friday finally adopted new guidelines for the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT).
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