Increase in health care spending for Free State but low utilization
Almost half of the Free State's three million people live in households that survived on less than R800 per month in 2005.
Health Systems
Read More » Increase in health care spending for Free State but low utilization
State of the nation’s health
Now in its third year, the District Health Barometer compares all 52 health districts in the country to see which are the healthiest and which are just plain sick.
Little progress in Limpopo Province
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.
Inequity increases in the Western Cape
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.
Improved TB Cure rate in Gauteng but child mortality still high
Almost all residents of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni have access to piped water, according to the District Health Barometer 2006/7.
Mpumalanga still lagging behind
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.
Poor health care for pregnant women in Eastern Cape
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.
Differences over new PMTCT protocol Living with AIDS # 339
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.
Doctor in trouble for his attempt to reverse ‘miserable lives’ of HIV babies
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.
KZN targets doctor but shoots itself in the foot
By targeting Dr Colin Pfaff for disciplinary action, the KwaZulu-Natal health department risks alienating rural doctors and causing more to leave.
Govt further delays PMTCT protocol Living with AIDS # 338
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.
Homeopathy is ‘not effective’
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
Call for multi-dimensional approach to shortage of ICU nurses
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.
‘Drop doctor’s misconduct charges’ – Rudasa
Manguzi doctor Colin Pfaff, facing misconduct charges from the health department for implementing dual therapy to save babies from HIV, gets support from colleagues
Revised PMTCT guidelines Living with AIDS # 336
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.