In the beginning there was the TAC
When the Khayelitsha branch of the Treatment Action Campaigned opened its doors in the early ‘90s there was no way of knowing what an integral role it’s members would play in fight for ARV access.
Rural mental health matters
It has been two years since the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan (2013 – 2020) was released and very little progress has been made in realising the commitments made within its pages.
Free State province: Is there any hope left?
The Free State health crisis has made headlines on more than one occasion. The situation seems desperate, but what is being done to remedy it?
Why TB and HIV community should care about the private health inquiry
The inequalities and complexities of the private healthcare system has been the subject of a market inquiry launched in 2014 by the Competition Commission. It is hoped that their findings will help facilitate reform in the sector.
Silicosis: an epidemic of racism?
As the judges of the South Gauteng High Court prepare their findings in the massive silicosis class action case, GroundUp’s Pete Lewis reflects on the failure of the compensation system to protect black mineworkers from the disease, condemning them to poverty and destitution.
Silicosis: will there be justice?
For decades, gold mining companies in South Africa have failed to take the necessary steps to protect their employees from inhaling dangerously high levels of silica dust. As a result, hundreds of thousands of former mineworkers have developed silicosis or contracted tuberculosis.
Change will be difficult, but no change will be fatal – WHO
The 2015 WHO Global TB Report was launched recently and the main take home message is that if we are to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and End TB Strategy targets, we need to CHANGE. Now, not later. It is already late.
South Africa should triple funding for TB research
South Africa has a high incidence of TB and TB/HIV. Tripling its funding for TB research could go a long way in supporting the right to health.
The critical role of regulators
The importance of regulatory bodies in the health sector cannot be overstated. However these same bodies are often beleaguered by inefficiencies, corruption and a lack of resources which hampers their usefulness.
7:How much will the CHW programme cost?
The cost of a CHW programme depends on the employment status of the CHWs, their salaries and benefits, management costs, training costs, logistics, equipment, consumables and infrastructural support. Very few…
6: How should CHWs be employed?
Issues around the employment of CHWs are some of the most highly contested in discussions of CHWs in South Africa. For years, CHWs have been calling for employment by the…
5: How many CHWs do we need?
The ideal number of CHWs depends on a number of factors, including the population served (decisions to be taken in this regard will include whether rural and/or urban households are…