A life-or-death situation
A year ago Phanuel Maluleke was content with the world. His CD4 count was stable, and his fixed-dose combination ARV treatment was working well. Today, he’s worried he might die.…
The phone call that is a lifeline
There’s a Stop Stock Outs sticker on the back of the consulting-room door of a clinic outside of Giyani, in Limpopo. [caption id="attachment_3340" align="alignnone" width="382"] Bare cupboard mean that nurses…
The long road to recovery
There is a stack of boxes in Macks Lesufi’s office in College Street, Polokwane. [caption id="attachment_3347" align="alignnone" width="570"] Macks Lesufi, head of communications for the Limpopo Department of Health has…
Limpopo: snakes in paradise
NSP REVIEW COMMENT NSP Review notes the efforts made in certain provinces to improve the health system. In these provinces, MECs are often available, and their spokespeople are responsive. Sadly, in…
NHLS crisis: Open letter to health minister
NSP REVIEW COMMENT For years, the National Health Laboratory Service has been a gem – a national treasure that operated efficiently and professionally. However, for the past four years a…
NHLS crisis: Open letter to health minister
NSP REVIEW COMMENT For years, the National Health Laboratory Service has been a gem – a national treasure that operated efficiently and professionally. However, for the past four years a…
Government policy to address Community Health Worker issue
<p class="intro">As we have reported in the previous pages, one of the most contentious issues in the Free State is the employment of Community Health Workers (CHWs). The issue of…
Government policy to address Community Health Worker issue
<p class="intro">As we have reported in the previous pages, one of the most contentious issues in the Free State is the employment of Community Health Workers (CHWs). The issue of…
Free State: No end to the suffering and desperation
In July, a ‘People’s Commission of Inquiry’ will take place to hear testimony to the severe and sometimes fatal challenges in accessing adequate healthcare in the Free State. Almost every…
NSP Report: Civil Society responds
NSP REVIEW COMMENT The South African National AIDS Council is critical to our AIDS response. It is a structure, which allows various sectors to shape the response and ensure that their…
Weak rand means South Africa pays more for ARVs in latest tender
NSP REVIEW COMMENT: The National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS STIs and TB has set as a target that 80% of people living with HIV must be on antiretrovirals by 2016. This…
Drug stock outs: the crisis continues
South Africa has one of the most extensive HIV and TB epidemics in the world. A reliable supply of life-saving medication is a constitutional right as well as critical to…