Latest
Closing the gap is not enough for children born with cleft lip or cleft palate
Every three minutes, a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate is born somewhere in the world. While surgery can repair this, Kholofelo Mphahlele argues that the real measure of success is a culmination of a very long journey that plays out in classrooms, on playgrounds, when photographs are taken, and within communities and workplaces.
Reforming prescribed minimum benefits is the first step to affordable medical cover
With plans in motion to roll out universal health coverage in South Africa, Dr Katlego Mothudi, of the Board of Healthcare Funders, argues that revising the compulsory prescribed minimum benefits that medical schemes must provide can be a tool to deliver meaningful improvements today while laying the foundations for a more sustainable healthcare system tomorrow.
AIDS 2026: Some pieces falling into place for monthly HIV prevention pill, but key data not yet in
If an HIV prevention pill that provides a month of protection at a time performs well in two ongoing clinical trials, it could become the next big thing in HIV prevention after the lenacapavir injection. A new licensing agreement is paving the way for South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare to produce the pill should the study findings be positive and the drug be registered.
When medicines are made outside the factory: Why pharmacovigilance matters more than ever
A high-profile court case has thrust the legalities of compounding medicines in South Africa into the spotlight. Behind the immediate legal issues, hide a series of unresolved questions about how we should ensure that compounded medicines used in South Africa are safe, argue Professor Renier Coetzee and Lara van Niekerk.
In the Spotlight
In the Spotlight | The invisible fuel driving our TB epidemic – what do we actually know about asymptomatic TB?
Although TB can be cured, it is still spreading in South Africa at alarming rates. One reason could be that some people with TB disease but without TB symptoms may unknowingly be passing on the bug. In this Spotlight special briefing, Elri Voigt unpacks what we do and do not know about asymptomatic TB.
Opinions
Mireille Wenger | What 49 000 Western Cape teenagers taught us about preventing alcohol abuse and violence
A survey of 49 000 teenagers in the Western Cape reminds us that preventing violence does not begin in a hospital, a police station or a courtroom. It begins much earlier, in families, schools, sports fields, faith communities and neighbourhoods, writes Western Cape Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger.
To make PIMART work we need to plan – we should focus on these three P’s
Eight months after the Supreme Court of Appeal gave the green light for specially trained pharmacists to dispense antiretrovirals without a script from a doctor, the programme remains stuck in the starting blocks. With enabling permits now seemingly on the horizon, Angela Tembo and Dr Deanne Johnston ask if there has been sufficient planning to make the initiative a success.
InsideTheBox
Inside The Box with Dr Andy Gray | How should the compounding of medicines be regulated?
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, with the South African Pharmacy Council, recently announced what was described as a crackdown on a compounding pharmacy. They allege “critical regulatory non-compliance” in relation to the compounding of unregistered medicines. In his latest Inside The Box column, Dr Andy Gray provides some background to the issues at stake, while recognising that some key elements remain contested.
TB
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Episode 1: Sexual and reproductive health rights
Aug 23, 2018 • 23:42
In this first episode of the Spotlight podcast host Nomatter Ndebele speaks to Dr Daphney Conco of Wits about what SRHR is and why it matters. We also hear from Vuyokazi Gonyela of TAC about their SRHR work in provinces. Finally, Nomatter chats to Spotlight guest editor Thuthu Mbatha about…
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Episode 2: Life Esidimeni revisited
Aug 28, 2018 • 1:00:42
In episode 2 we catch up with the processes around the Life Esidimeni tragedy. Christine Nxumalo discusses what further action the families are hoping for. Tendai Mafuma provides fascinating insights into the prospects for criminal liability. Mark Heywood gives his views on the politics surrounding the case and what that…
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Episode 3: Sasha Stevenson on what NHI and HMI means for healthcare reform in South Africa
Oct 5, 2018 • 00:18:53
At a recent civil society meeting jointly hosted by SECTION27 and Spotlight, Sasha Stevenson, head of health at SECTION27, presented on the implications of NHI and HMI for access to healthcare in South Africa. We now make her informative and thought-provoking presentation available as a podcast. (We apologise for the…
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Episode 4: Marijuana, health and the law in South Africa
Dec 7, 2018 • 18:41
Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to Dr Michael Herbst of the Cancer Association of South Africa about the landmark Constitutional Court judgement on the possession and use of marijuana and the judgement’s implications for the health of people in South Africa.
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Episode 5: Dr Fareed Abdullah on South Africa’s AIDS response
Dec 14, 2018 • 22:26
Dr Fareed Abdullah of the SA MRC, previously CEO of SANAC, recently addressed the TAC’s 20-year celebrations. Listen what he had to say about the history of South Africa’s AIDS response and where we are now.
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Episode 6: Justice Edwin Cameron addresses the TAC 20-year celebrations
Dec 14, 2018 • 13:14
Justice Edwin Cameron of South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently addressed attendees at the TAC’s 20-year celebrations. We bring you a recording of what he had to say to TAC members, supporters and allies.
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Episode 7: Lotti Rutter on PEPFAR funding and why we need a People’s COP
Jul 25, 2019 • 24:10
Nomatter Ndebele chats to Lotti Rutter of HealthGAP about what the People’s COP is and why it matters.
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Episode 8: How South Africa is performing against key NSP indicators
Jul 25, 2019 • 19:30
Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to Spotlight editor Marcus Low about South Africa’s progress against key NSP indicators.
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Episode 9: Rensburg on healthcare reform in South Africa
Jul 25, 2019 • 27:36
Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to RHAP director Russell Rensburg about the major reforms underway in the South African healthcare system.
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Episode 10: Siphiwe Mhlangana on the Treatment Action Campaign’s treatment literacy work
Jul 25, 2019 • 21:15
Host Nomatter Ndebele chats to Siphiwe Mhlangana of the TAC about his treatment literacy work and why treatment literacy still matters.
