COVID-19 may lead to spike in AIDS deaths, warns UNAIDS
Six months more of pandemic-related disruptions could result in a spike of an additional 500 000 AIDS-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa alone by the end of next year, warns UNAIDS.
COVID-19: Palliative care needed now more than ever
As COVID-19 infections and deaths increase in South Africa, the need for palliative care has become more apparent. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to palliative care specialists and a family about the challenges they face in accessing and providing palliative care services during the pandemic.
COVID-19: Seven lessons from the Western Cape
The COVID-19 epidemic in the Western Cape is at least a few weeks ahead of that in South Africa’s other provinces. Some leading doctors in the province have shared some key lessons learned in recent months.
ANALYSIS: Has administration rehabilitated the North West Health Department?
The recent suspension of Professor Ebrahim Variava and the subsequent lifting of his suspension briefly placed the North West Department of Health in the national spotlight – a department that has been under administration for over two years. Marcus Low asks whether the latest developments are just a blip on the department’s road to recovery, or are they symptomatic of still deeply entrenched dysfunction.
COVID-19: How high-flow nasal oxygen is saving lives and sparing some patients the trauma of intubation
Doctors at two of the Western Cape’s most severely impacted COVID-19 hospitals say they have seen positive outcomes from using high-flow nasal oxygen instead of invasive mechanical ventilation. Kathryn Cleary asked doctors at these hospitals to explain how and why this kind of oxygen therapy works so well.
COVID-19: Inside a Western Cape quarantine and isolation hotel
Carefully planned meals, a television in the room and free Wi-Fi, but no alcohol or visitors allowed. Biénne Huisman steps inside one of the Western Cape’s quarantine and isolation hotels.
COVID-19: The touching story of Nurse Angy Rabothatha
Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 can be frightening and traumatic. Nurse Angy Rabothatha is among the many nurses who are part of government’s trace and support teams who help people with COVID-19 on their journey. She shared her story with Biénne Huisman.
U-turn as suspension of prominent North West doctor lifted
The controversial suspension of one of the North West province’s senior clinicians two weeks ago, has been lifted with Professor Ebrahim Variava returning to his post as head of internal medicine at the Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital in North West.
COVID-19: First Langa resident to test positive reflects on COVID-19 and quarantine
Nosisi Jacobs from Langa in Cape Town is among the over 37 000 people in the Western Cape who have so far recovered after testing positive for COVID-19. Siyabonga Kamnqa spoke to her about her journey from diagnosis, to life under quarantine and finally recovery.
COVID-19: How life has changed for providers of mental health services
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced mental health practitioners to rethink and adapt how they provide mental health services amidst daily reports of COVID-19 infections and deaths and under the constraints of the national lockdown. Melissa Javan asked mental health practitioners about how their lives have changed.
Reflections on the future of nursing in South Africa
The Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) recently hosted an online webinar focusing on social accountability in the nursing education. Professor Laetitia Rispel, SA Research chair on the Health Workforce at Wits, delivered the opening address on challenges facing the nursing profession. We publish an edited extract.
COVID-19: Healthcare worker unions explain their concerns
As South Africa’s COVID-19 numbers continues to rise, long-simmering healthcare worker complaints are boiling over. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to trade union representatives from Hospersa, Denosa, Nehawu and YNITU about salary disputes, staff shortages, healthcare workers safety, psychological strain, and access to personal protective equipment.