Cabinet is due to release proposals this month that could alter the entire foundation of South Africa's healthcare system by changing the way health is financed. Proposals for a social health insurance scheme will be open to comment and debate before the final recommendations are made.
Read More »Social health care a step closer
There are no good reasons for delaying the gradual and phased expansion of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in all provinces, a research report commissioned by the health department has revealed.But the report also highlights that given the difference in capacity and infrastructure, it is reasonable for provinces to expand the provision of PMTCT services at different speeds.
Read More » ‘No good reasons not to expand PMTCT’In defiance of the Patents Act, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have brought generic anti-retroviral drugs into the country from Brazil, a move that is set to spur another showdown with Government. Three TAC members, including the chairperson Zackie Achmat, as well as Cosatu representative Joyce Pekane arrived from Brazil on Monday with a consignment of anti-retrovirals that will be used for the Medicins Sans Frontieres treatment programme currently running in Khayelitsha.
Read More »AIDS activists “import” generics, defy government
In her opening address to the National Health Summit, the Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has reiterated Government's commitment to addressing HIV/AIDS in the country. She also admitted that despite good intentions, Government had made mistakes which had hampered the achievement of improved access to health services and quality of care. However she said the challenge now was to admit the mistakes and re-direct policy where necessary.
Read More »Health minister admits mistakes, affirms commitment to quality careThe impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is exacerbated by the fact that many of the children affected and infected are desperately poor. Despite their right to free education and state support, they are frequently consigned to the margins of society by unsympathetic teachers and principals. In previous audio packages these children have spoken out about their needs. In this feature, the education department explains its commitment to support these children.
Read More »Schools must support children affected by HIV/AIDS
Living with AIDS – Programme 48The Gauteng government is actively expanding its campaign to prevent HIV positive pregnant women from passing the virus on to their babies, yet many mothers in the province are still reluctant to know their HIV status.
Read More »Gauteng mothers reluctant to go for HIV test
None of the rape survivors given anti-retroviral drugs by Sunninghill Hospital has become HIV positive, according to Dr Adrienne Wulfsohn who heads the hospital'€™s accident and emergency unit. Kerry Cullinan reports.
Read More »Drugs seem to help rape survivors
The pressure of responsibilty for holding down the top AIDS job in the country weighs heavily on the slight shoulders of Dr Nono Simelela, head of the national HIV/AIDS Directorate. However, there is no doubting her her commitment to facing up to the challenges that confront her.
Read More »Pressure and politics cloud top AIDS job
Health minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang this week addressed the United National General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in New York. She said singling out the issue of anti-retroviral drugs was undermining the efforts made by many developing countries in dealing with pandemic. This is the full speech she delivered to the assembly.
Read More »HIV/AIDS treatment must not be narrowed down to anti-retroviral drugs – Health ministerThe pharmacy industry has moved swiftly to prepare itself for the implementation of the much disputed Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act that is set to bring huge changes to the entire medical industry. The price of prescription medicine is likely to fall as pharmacists  swop their profit margins for a professional fee. Anso Thom reports...
Read More »Consumers likely to  gain as  pharmacy industry faces overhaulThe South African government and the Treatment Action Campaign might have emerged victorious from the Pretoria High Court, but this does not mean that cheap anti-AIDS drugs will suddenly be available to all South Africans who need them. As Kerry Cullinan reports, the Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act does not challenge patent rights and the pharmaceutical giants retain a 20-year hold on the production and pricing of anti-retroviral drugs.
Read More »Don’t expect a flood of cheap AIDS medicineWhen the 39 pharmaceutical companies'€™ case against the South African government started on 5 March, it ignited worldwide protests against drug profiteering at the expense of the world'€™s poor.But during the past five weeks that the court has been in recess, the international pharmaceutical industry mounted a major public relations offensive '€“ with price reductions for AIDS drugs as its centrepiece -- that seems to be paying off.
Read More »Cheap drugs not a given if government wins court caseThree grants are currently available to children, but they reach only a small percentage and it is difficult to access.
Read More »Existing grants and services
Renowned author John le Carre delves into the dark and dangerous world of drug trials and pharmaceutical profits in his latest novel, "The Constant Gardener". In the afterword to the book he says that although his novel is a work of fiction and doesn'€™t reflect the actions of any real people, the real goings-on in the industry make his story seem like a "holiday postcard". Sue Valentine spoke to him, this is a transcript of part of their conversation.
Read More »John le Carre slams pharmaceutical profiteeringFrom cholera to the gene map to Nkosi Johnson'€™s twelfth birthday - a summary of the health issues that featured in the news over the past month.
Read More »Health news at a glance – February