People: Face to face with Joan Marston
From a children’s hospice in Bloemfontein to leading an international network, Joan Marston has made a major contribution to palliative care for children. Biénne Huisman went to meet her.
A children’s hospice rising like an oasis
In July Bloemfontein is dry and hued in shades of brown. Against this backdrop, the Sunflower Children’s Hospice rises like an oasis: the house is covered in bright murals and surrounded by trees and budding shrubs. Biénne Huisman stepped inside.
People: Face to face with Dr Bandile Masuku
Dr Bandile Masuku was recently appointed as MEC for Health in Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province. Biénne Huisman asked him about the task ahead.
Welcome detail in Mpumalanga HIV and TB plan
Each of South Africa’s nine provinces has an HIV and TB plan aimed at guiding the implementation of the National Strategic Plan. Here is our analysis of Mpumalanga’s plan.
Limpopo to release health workers despite massive shortages
Social justice organisations have released an open letter in which they question the Limpopo Health Department’s decision to release provincial bursary holders from their contractual obligations. RHAP has in its possession a letter circulated to health professionals inviting them to a meeting to discuss the decision which will affect approximately 540 health professionals who have received funding from the department.
KZN’s HIV and TB plan: Good on structure, low on detail
Each of South Africa’s nine provinces is supposed to have an HIV and TB plan that guides provincial implementation of the National Strategic Plan. Here’s Spotlight’s analysis of KwaZulu-Natal’s plan.
Dear Premier Zamani Saul, the Northern Cape health system is in your hands.
“By accepting your appointment as Premier, you have become the custodian of a rough diamond. It is now in your hands whether it will reach its full potential and become a sparkling gem or remain a dusty stone.”
Only 2 of 9 Health MECs in job for more than 2 years
Following South Africa’s 2019 national and provincial elections, new members of provincial legislatures have been sworn in and new provincial executives appointed.
#FootSoldiers: The biggest and happiest family In Limpopo
Sally Duigan is never alone, with every move she makes there is a posse of happy, smiling children clinging to her arms, grabbing whatever bit of her clothing is within their reach. Nomatter Ndebele and Thom Pierce went to visit Limpopo’s biggest and happiest family.
Donor shift threatens adherence clubs in the Free State
A shift in donor funding for HIV has endangered the continued existence of successful and effective antiretroviral adherence clubs in the Free State.
#Vote4Health: No road to health in the Northern Cape
By Anso Thom, Marcus Low, Nomatter Ndebele and Thom Pierce (photographs) Calvinia, Sutherland, Fraserburg, De Aar, Keimoes, Kakamas. Join Spotlight on a disturbing road-trip through the Northern Cape public healthcare…
#Vote4Health: Health in the Northern Cape: Disturbing visions from SA’s forgotten province
Health services in large parts of the Northern Cape have virtually collapsed with communities mostly being served by overstretched nurses struggling to cope with the disease and injury burden. The challenges are overwhelming. Spotlight travelled a circular route through the province and clocked up about 2 000 kilometres of mostly dirt and some tar road to take the temperature of South Africa’s largest province.