Public Protector flags irregular KZN health contracts
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has again been taken to task on poor contract management and allegations of tender irregularities – this time by the Public Protector.
Little access to safe surgery in SADC, conference hears
Only 5 percent of people in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to safe surgery and many countries in the region have no surgical policies, delegates heard yesterday at an agenda setting conference hosted by Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Global Surgery.
Face to Face: Winde on HIV, Zille and tough choices
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde is chairing the province’s AIDS council, something his predecessor Helen Zille did not do. Alicestine October sat down with Winde to discuss HIV, Zille and much more.
Comprehensive sexuality education is a universal right
The scourge of HIV and deaths due to unsafe abortion among young people urgently calls for age appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education. It also calls for reform of restrictive laws and for more resources to be allocated to Sexual and Reproductive Health, writes Thuthukile Mbatha.
Medical Waste: The curious case of a contract extended for 16 years
The last time medical waste services in KwaZulu-Natal were delivered in terms of a standard non-extended, tender was 2003. With the cancelation of a recently advertised tender this highly irregular situation seems set to continue well into 2020.
US invests more in TB research, SA investment drops, report finds
In 2018 the United States invested $371 million in tuberculosis research and development (R&D). South Africa invested $4.5 million (R64,9 million) – a dramatic decrease on 2017, but still high when measured as a proportion of all R&D spending in the country.
OPINION: Democracy suffers when legislatures don’t share information
The latest Auditor-General’s (AG) report makes for grim reading regarding a number of provincial departments of health. Yet, there seems little hope that provincial legislatures will hold these departments to account and even less that the public will be kept informed of the activities of these legislatures.
Why TAC wants a say in landmark medical negligence case
A case that may be heading to the Constitutional Court could determine whether or not the state can be held liable for medical negligence in certain cases. Motheo Brodie explains why the TAC is seeking to be admitted as a friend of the court in this landmark case.
NHI Lawmakers: Face to face with IFP MP Magdalene Hlengwa
“They all say yes because of their poverty. They don’t know the disadvantages of NHI,” says IFP MP Magdalene Hlengwa, reflecting on the public hearings on the NHI Bill. Biénne Huisman sat down with Hlengwa to discuss NHI and much more.
Clinical associates: Are we wasting a golden opportunity?
In 2008 a new class of mid-level health worker was created in response to the shortage of doctors in the public sector. A decade later, has government given up on clinical associates? Amy Green investigates.
Fewer baby deaths at Leratong hospital: This is how they did it
Amidst concerns over rising neonatal deaths in some health facilities in Gauteng, at least one hospital, Leratong Hospital, has a good story to tell.
Child’s first 1 000 days are critical, conference hears
A newborn’s first 1 000 days are crucial, according to paediatrician, Dr Elmarie Malek. Malek presented a paper at the 10th Child Health Priorities Conference last weekend highlighting the need to invest in a child’s first 1000 days.