OPINION: Oral health services for persons with special needs still lacking

By Bulela Vava, April 14, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

While there is relatively good access to preventative and promotive oral healthcare services in the country, it does not go far enough to address the vast oral health-related issues that persons with disabilities present with, writes Dr Bulela Vava. If the government is to truly care for the oral health needs of persons with special needs, it will have to take bold steps to invest in building the requisite secondary and tertiary oral health service capacity.

OPINION: Oral health services for persons with special needs still lacking

Major study turns spotlight on formula milk industry

By Elsabé Brits, April 13, 2023

Posted in: Child health, Healthcare system, Latest, Reproductive Health

The scientific evidence that exclusive breastfeeding is best for infants is very strong. Yet, some baby milk formula companies continue to use questionable methods to create demand for their products, thereby undermining breastfeeding. Elsabé Brits explores this and spoke to experts based on a series of articles published in The Lancet.

Tags: 1981 World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and Child Health Care Strategies breastfeeding breastmilk Centre of Excellence in Food Security child health child malnutrition child nutrition chronic malnutrition commercial breastfeeding Desmond Tutu HIV Centre featured Foetal formula milk HIV Infant Feeding Association milk formula marketing Nestle Newborn Research Centre for Maternal South African Demographic and Health Survey The Lancet WHO

Major study turns spotlight on formula milk industry

In-depth: After UN report, new focus on antimicrobial resistance in the environment

By Sue Segar, April 12, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

South African scientists have echoed serious concerns flagged in a recent UN Environmental Programme Report on the growth of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Sue Segar reports.

Tags: AMR antibiotic stewardship antibiotics antimicrobial resistance Department of Water and Sanitation drug resistance drug-resistant pathogens environmental health environmental pollution featured National Action Plans to deal with AMR National Green Drop Report public health threat SANOCEAN South Africa-Norway Cooperation on Ocean Research study UNEP United Nations Environmental Programme wastewater treatment works water pollution WHO

In-depth: After UN report, new focus on antimicrobial resistance in the environment

What new STI prevention findings mean for SA

By Elri Voigt, April 11, 2023

Posted in: HIV, Latest

Last year, Spotlight reported that taking a widely available antibiotic, doxycycline after condomless sex can reduce the risk of contracting three different sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Elri Voigt unpacks some further results from three studies presented at CROI2023 on Doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for STI prevention.

Tags: 4CMenB Bexero vaccine Caprisa CENTRE FOR THE AIDS PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA chlamydia CROI2023 doxycycline DoxyPEP Doxyvax featured gonorrhoea HIV PrEP National Institute of Communicable Disease NICD PrEP STI prevention and care STi's syphilis type B meningococcal disease

What new STI prevention findings mean for SA

Analysis: Do we have to balance the right to health with the right to strike or do we have to ask different questions of government?

By Ufrieda Ho, April 6, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

South Africa’s public health sector strikes often pit two rights against each other – the right of workers to strike and the rights of people to access healthcare services. Ufrieda Ho explores these tension points with the help of several relevant experts.

Tags: bioethics collective bargaining Department of Health essential workers featured healthcare workers Labour Relations Act medical ethics Nehawu Public Health public health facilities service level agreements Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics

Analysis: Do we have to balance the right to health with the right to strike or do we have to ask different questions of government?

Analysis: Are NGOs doing the work of the state, and should they?

By Sue Segar, April 5, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

People in South Africa are used to reports of organisations like Gift of the Givers stepping in during humanitarian emergencies, or service delivery NGOs assisting with HIV or tuberculosis programmes. But is there not a risk of the state becoming overly dependent on NGOs, and might this not mask state failure and thereby undermine democratic accountability? Sue Segar explores this question with the help of some high-profile NGO leaders.

Tags: Access to Health Bulungula Incubator community empowerment Community Health Workers Department of Health DG Murray Trust DGMT Dr David Harrison featured Gift of the Givers Imtiaz Sooliman NGO projects NGOs public health facilities public health infrastructure rural health

Analysis: Are NGOs doing the work of the state, and should they?

In-depth: New screening programme planned for cystic fibrosis in SA

By Catherine Tomlinson, April 4, 2023

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest

In recent weeks, cystic fibrosis (CF) has been in the headlines because of a court case about access to new treatments for the genetic condition. After having reported on the court case, Catherine Tomlinson now unpacks how CF is diagnosed in South Africa and why so many cases here fall through the cracks. The good news, she reports, is that efforts are underway to establish a national infant screening programme.

Tags: access to medicine Centre for Human Metabolomics CF screening kits Clinical Guidelines for Genetics Services clinical pathology clinicians congenital disorders cystic fibrosis cystic fibrosis diagnosis Cystic Fibrosis Registry Cystic fibrosis-causing genes Department of Health featured gene sequencing immuno-reactive trypsinogen screening Kelly du Plessis newborn screening for cystic fibrosis NextBiosciences Paediatric Pulmonologist rare disease Rare Disease South Africa

In-depth: New screening programme planned for cystic fibrosis in SA

Face to face: “It’s not about me, it’s about the patient that I’m helping”, says head of trauma at Bara

By Biénne Huisman, April 3, 2023

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Professor Rudo Mathivha became director of the Intensive Care Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in July 1999, holding her own in a white male-dominated space. Biénne Huisman chatted with Mathivha about her impressive journey, her deep commitment to patients, and the ongoing challenges at the country’s largest hospital.

Tags: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital featured Gauteng Department of Health Gauteng MEC for Health health budgets health infrastructure healthcare workers hospital maintenance ICU Rudo Mathiva security at health facilities staff shortages

Face to face: “It’s not about me, it’s about the patient that I’m helping”, says head of trauma at Bara

Opinion: Shorter treatment regimens for TB offer hope, but await implementation

By Yuri F. van der Heijden, Violet Chihota, and Salome Charalambous, March 31, 2023

Posted in: Latest, TB

Almost two years ago, a study found that a breakthrough four-month treatment regimen for tuberculosis is as effective as the current six-month regimen. The time is now to join together for the thoughtful implementation of this new regimen, argue Yuri F. van der Heijden, Violet Chihota, and Salome Charalambous.

Tags: drug-resistant tuberculosis featured health budgets TB programme TB Treatment World TB Day 2023

Opinion: Shorter treatment regimens for TB offer hope, but await implementation

In-depth: Ongoing security concerns at Gauteng hospitals amid reports of cable theft

By Thabo Molelekwa, March 30, 2023

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Already bogged down by loadshedding, operations at various health facilities in Gauteng and a few other provinces have also been disrupted due to cable theft, creating another layer of risk for patients and healthcare workers. This is despite millions being paid for security at these health facilities. Thabo Molelekwa reports.

Tags: cable theft Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Denosa featured Gauteng Department of Health health and safety health budget health infrastructure healthcare workers Hospital management Jack Bloom Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko public health facilities SAMA security at health facilities security contracts security measures

In-depth: Ongoing security concerns at Gauteng hospitals amid reports of cable theft

New Free State Health MEC wants to restore hope in the province’s healthcare services

By Refilwe Mochoari, March 29, 2023

Posted in: Free State, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

The Free State has a new Health MEC – Mathabo Leeto, who is also provincial treasurer of the ANC in the province. She recently replaced Montseng Tsiu. Refilwe Mochoari spoke to Leeto about her plans for the department and asked opposition parties and nursing unions about this move and their expectations for health services in the Free State.

Tags: Access to Health ambulance services Boitumelo Hospital Corruption in Health Denosa featured Free State Department of Health Free State Health MEC Mathabo Leeto Free State Health MEC Motseng Tsiu Godfrey Mahlatsi health budgets health infrastructure healthcare workers Mondli Mvambi Mxolisi Duwkana National Hospital patient care Pelonomi Hospital public health facilities

New Free State Health MEC wants to restore hope in the province’s healthcare services

In-Depth: Mostly positive responses to SA’s new HIV, TB and STI plan

By Nthusang Lefafa, March 28, 2023

Posted in: Edition 12: SA’s AIDS & TB response, Edition 8: NSP in general, HIV, Latest, Mental Health, NSP and SANAC, TB

South Africa’s National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs (2023 – 2028) was launched on Friday at Tlhabane Stadium in Rustenburg, North West as the world commemorated World TB Day. Nthusang Lefafa attended the event and spoke to experts and activists about the state of TB and HIV and the work that lies ahead with the new NSP.

Tags: AHRI Dr Joe Phaahla featured HIV HIV programme key populations mental health National Policy Framework for Mental Health National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV Paul Mashatile psycho-social support South African Federation for Mental Health South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)Stigma TB TB and STIs TB and STIs 2023-2028 TB diagnostics TB preventive therapy TB Proof TB response TBAC