INTERVIEW: Dr Lebogang Phahladira on his journey from studying by candlelight to winning a major schizophrenia research award

INTERVIEW: Dr Lebogang Phahladira on his journey from studying by candlelight to winning a major schizophrenia research award

In his Twitter biography, Dr Lebogang Phahladira describes himself as “a rookie clinician-researcher who keeps trying and trying”. This clearly paid off, as Phahladira earlier this month received a major global schizophrenia research award. As part of Spotlight’s coverage on mental health this month, Biénne Huisman spoke to him about growing up in rural Limpopo, his first impressions of city life, and the decision to specialise in schizophrenia.

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Groote Schuur Hospital clears backlog of 1 500 surgeries

Groote Schuur Hospital clears backlog of 1 500 surgeries

Much of South Africa’s public health sector is plagued by long waiting times for surgery, a situation that was made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, an inspiring project at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town has reached its target of slashing its backlog by 1 500 surgeries. Elri Voigt reports.

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Too scared to come to work, nurse says amid rising security concerns at Eastern Cape health facilities

Too scared to come to work, nurse says amid rising security concerns at Eastern Cape health facilities

There are serious concerns over the safety of health workers at public health facilities in the Eastern Cape, with some healthcare workers saying they are scared to go to work. Although the provincial health department says it shares this concern, the department remains tight-lipped over its plans and the relevant security contracts. Luvuyo Mehlwana spoke to union representatives, healthcare workers, and some security personnel about the situation.

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New policies aim to integrate mental health support into HIV services

New policies aim to integrate mental health support into HIV services

Research suggests that people living with HIV are more likely to have mental health conditions than the general population. There seems to be consensus that HIV programmes would benefit from including better mental health screening and support services. Two new policy documents – the Mental Health Policy Framework and the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs – have a lot to say about providing such integrated services, but will they result in actual changes on the ground? Thabo Molelekwa reports.

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

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

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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In-Depth: Mpumalanga’s healthcare worker shortage and what is being done about it

In-Depth: Mpumalanga’s healthcare worker shortage and what is being done about it

There are over 100 clinics in Mpumalanga without visiting doctors, hundreds waiting on surgeries in hospitals due to a lack of surgeons and other specialists, and only 60 working ambulances meant to service a population of over four million healthcare users. Nthusang Lefafa unpacks these challenges and asks the province’s health department about its plans.

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Rheumatology in SA: Patients pay the price for shortage of specialists

Rheumatology in SA: Patients pay the price for shortage of specialists

South Africa’s shortage of rheumatologists often results in patients struggling to access the treatment and care they need, especially for public sector patients and people living in rural areas. Elna Schütz asks several local experts about the state of rheumatology in the country.

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FACE TO FACE: Prof Naeemah Abrahams on breaking feminist stereotypes and “fighting through research and analyses”

FACE TO FACE: Prof Naeemah Abrahams on breaking feminist stereotypes and “fighting through research and analyses”

Professor Naeemah Abrahams, who heads the SAMRC’s Gender and Health Unit has been working in the field of gender-based violence (GBV) for thirty years. Activism always underpinned her research, which has focused on post-rape care, intimate partner femicide, and the interface between GBV and HIV. Biénne Huisman sat down with her to talk about her work, her feminism, and getting men to interrogate their perceptions of masculinity.

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

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

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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Ramaphosa proclaims ‘health revolution’ at second presidential health summit

Ramaphosa proclaims ‘health revolution’ at second presidential health summit

Round two of the Presidential Health Summit centred on getting closer to realising National Health Insurance, but the question of how to do this remains murky. Ufrieda Ho reports.

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“That iron suitcase saved my life” – retired nurse reflects on 37 years of service

“That iron suitcase saved my life” – retired nurse reflects on 37 years of service

May 5th is International Day of the Midwife. Ufrieda Ho chatted to the remarkable nurse and midwife Boitumelo Motsei about her 37 years working in healthcare and why she still has hope for the nursing profession.

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In-depth: How cystic fibrosis is being treated in SA while breakthrough meds remain out of reach

In-depth: How cystic fibrosis is being treated in SA while breakthrough meds remain out of reach

Spotlight recently reported on a court case aimed at expanding access to breakthrough new treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) and on how this debilitating disease is diagnosed in South Africa. Now, in Part 3 of this special series on CF, Catherine Tomlinson turns the spotlight on how the disease is currently being treated in the country, while the new treatments are still largely out of reach.

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