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RIGHT OF REPLY | Reducing the surgical and cancer treatment backlogs is an urgent priority

RIGHT OF REPLY | Reducing the surgical and cancer treatment backlogs is an urgent priority

By Dr Stephen Mankupane,
Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

Following an article in Spotlight bemoaning “the lack of urgency” by the Gauteng Department of Health in addressing cancer and surgical backlogs despite having been allocated funds toward this, Dr Stephen Mankupane, Acting Head of Hospital Services in the provincial health department, writes that there is no disputing the fact that there is a need to act with urgency in attending to these backlogs and outlines what the department is doing. Here is his response in full.

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HIV Testing is changing in South Africa, here’s why it’s a good thing

HIV Testing is changing in South Africa, here’s why it’s a good thing

By René Sparks,
Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

South Africa has been using HIV Rapid Diagnostic Tests (Finger prick same-day testing) for years. Now, the National Department of Health has decided to align with the World Health Organization’s recommendation of a new three-test algorithm to ensure accuracy of results. René Sparks unpacks why this is important.

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Why I became a nurse and what’s needed to fix nursing in SA

Why I became a nurse and what’s needed to fix nursing in SA

By René Sparks,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

René Sparks qualified as a nurse 21 years ago. Now, on International Nurses Day, she reflects on her journey and what’s needed to ensure a better future for nursing in South Africa.

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Struggle for migrant health rights still far from over after landmark judgment 

Struggle for migrant health rights still far from over after landmark judgment 

By Mbali Baduza and Kholofelo Mphahlele,
Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, NHI, Opinions, Perspectives

In a landmark court decision, the Gauteng High Court recently confirmed the rights of all pregnant and lactating women and children under age six to access services for free at all levels of care. The court order sets a good precedent for migrant health rights going forward, writes Mbali Baduza and Kholofelo Mphahlele as they explain the build-up to the court proceedings and why this is significant for re-affirming the right to access to healthcare for all in terms of section27 of the Constitution.

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Oral health services for persons with special needs still lacking

Oral health services for persons with special needs still lacking

By Bulela Vava,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

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.

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Urgent course correction needed on NHI, climate change, and economic policy  

Urgent course correction needed on NHI, climate change, and economic policy  

By Louis Reynolds,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Opinions, Perspectives

Unless we get ahead of both the climate crisis and the current levels of pervasive injustice, we will never be able to catch up – even if the National Health Insurance Project achieves what it originally intended, argues Professor Louis Reynolds.

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Health in 2023 – 13 things to look out for

Health in 2023 – 13 things to look out for

By Alicestine October and Marcus Low,
Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, HIV, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, Provinces, TB

2023 is set to be another tumultuous year for healthcare services, health policy, and governance in South Africa. We’ve picked 13 things to look out for this year arranged under three broad headings: leadership and governance, policy and legislation, and HIV, TB and the NSP.

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Living with a stoma in SA – we deserve better

Living with a stoma in SA – we deserve better

By Faizel Jacobs,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

Our public health system is creating a new type of disability – ostomates who, with access to the necessary care and medical consumables could live long and fulfilled lives, but who every day are subjected to the indignities of inadequate care, writes colorectal cancer survivor and ostomate, Faizel Jacobs.

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Mental health screening for people with TB will change lives and boost SA’s TB response

Mental health screening for people with TB will change lives and boost SA’s TB response

By Amanda Fononda,
Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives, Provinces, TB

According to some estimates, over a third of tuberculosis (TB) patients have high levels of psychological distress and a quarter have an alcohol use disorder. Following an eye-opening project in KwaZulu-Natal, Atlantic Institute Tekano Fellow Amanda Fononda argues that a diagnosis of an illness (such as TB) should be accompanied by mental health screening for treatment readiness, adherence, and overall well-being.

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Can health be fixed without fixing politics?

Can health be fixed without fixing politics?

By Marcus Low,
Posted in: Eastern Cape, Editorial, Healthcare system, Latest, Perspectives, Provinces

Several provincial health departments have stumbled from crisis to crisis over the last decade with no sign of sustained or meaningful improvement. One reason for this, argues Spotlight editor Marcus Low, is political interference and the cadre deployment and cronyism that usually goes with it. If this is correct, is it realistic to think we can address the dysfunction in our health departments without addressing the politics behind it?

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How to help new nurses bridge the gap from theory to practice

How to help new nurses bridge the gap from theory to practice

By Warriodene Hansen,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

In South Africa, a newly qualified professional nurse often has great difficulties when entering the clinical practice after completion of their studies. By applying a preceptorship model, newly qualified nurses may experience a positive transition period, improving their clinical competence, argues Warriodene Hansen.

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Clinical associates can transform healthcare in SA, we should support them

Clinical associates can transform healthcare in SA, we should support them

By Parimalaranie Yogeswaran,
Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

South Africa is among the most unequal countries in the world with a huge quadruple burden of disease and to address this we need hands. Professor Parimalaranie Yogeswaran argues that we should maximise the untapped potential of clinical associates to beef up the clinical health workforce.

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