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

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.

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

Opinion: Engage communities and leverage COVID-19 innovations to address SA’s TB crisis

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest, TB

It is time to engage communities through community healthcare workers and to leverage COVID-19 innovations to advance the urgent need for high-quality, person-centred tuberculosis (TB) care for all, argue authors from leading TB advocacy organisation TB Proof.

Opinion: Engage communities and leverage COVID-19 innovations to address SA’s TB crisis

Reimagining health in the Eastern Cape: A dysfunctional public health system is not inevitable

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

The persistent challenges in public health in the Eastern Cape, highlight the critical role of leadership. Prof Helen Schneider argues if we are to reimagine a future of access, equity and justice in health and health care in the Eastern Cape, we need bottom-up institution-building involving civil society and not just top-down legislative, budgetary and other reforms.

Reimagining health in the Eastern Cape: A dysfunctional public health system is not inevitable

Finding the money: The case for raising the Health Promotion Levy

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

The recent budget policy statement shows South Africa finds itself in a very tight fiscal space where it has to navigate a global pandemic along with other health challenges such as rising rates of non-communicable diseases. Russell Rensburg argues that the Health Promotion Levy should be increased to 20% – which will raise much-needed revenue that will contribute to preventing disease and reducing healthcare costs.

Finding the money: The case for raising the Health Promotion Levy

TB catch-up plan underway in WC but old challenges linger

Posted in: Edition 10: Drug-resistant TB, Edition 14: Tuberculosis, Latest, Provinces, Western Cape

In 2019 around 360 000 people in South Africa fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) and about 58 000 people died due to the disease, according to a World Health Organization Report released last week. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these already alarming numbers, with some TB patients stopping treatment during lockdown. Siyabonga Kamnqa looks at the plans the Western Cape Health Department has in place to get its TB programme back on track and finds old challenges still remain.

TB catch-up plan underway in WC but old challenges linger

Government strategy shows billions needed to avert healthcare worker crisis

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

A new government strategy, obtained by Spotlight and Maverick Citizen, estimates that billions of rands in additional investment is needed to improve staffing levels and equity across provinces by 2025.

Government strategy shows billions needed to avert healthcare worker crisis

COVID-19: Lockdown, hunger and staying on HIV treatment in Hammonds Farm

Posted in: KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Provinces

Concerns are mounting over people stopping or not starting tuberculosis and HIV treatment during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown. Nomfundo Xolo spoke to activists and people living with HIV and TB in Hammonds Farm in Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal about the challenges they face.

COVID-19: Lockdown, hunger and staying on HIV treatment in Hammonds Farm

SA’s new AIDS plan falls short on community health workers

Posted in: Healthcare Workers, Latest, NSP and SANAC, Sections, Spotlight

By Sasha Stevenson- South Africa’s new National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV, TB and STIs will be launched on March 24.

SA’s new AIDS plan falls short on community health workers

Community health workers: A Spotlight in-depth feature

Posted in: Healthcare Workers, Latest, Sections, Spotlight

The role of community health workers in the South African public healthcare system has been unclear and controversial. How many do we need? What exactly should their role be? Who should employ them? What should they be paid? Is there good evidence to inform policy? Sasha Stevenson of SECTION27 lead Spotlight’s in-depth investigation into these pressing questions.

Community health workers: A Spotlight in-depth feature

Fighting for the right to care

Posted in: Healthcare Workers, Latest, Sections, Spotlight, Spotlight Edition 1

Community health workers (CHWs), who are predominantly women have struggled to be formally integrated into the health service delivery system, and they are disgruntled.

The barefoot soldiers of a public health care system that doesn’t seem to care

Posted in: Healthcare Workers, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Provinces, Sections, Spotlight, Spotlight Edition 1

By Nomatter Ndebele – For the past 17 years, 55-year old Doris Ntuli has worked as a community caregiver (CCG) in the community of Sweetwaters, in Pietermaritzburg, Durban. In that time Ntuli has only received a pay increase of R300 (US$20). Her total monthly income is R1500 (US$95).

The barefoot soldiers of a public health care system that doesn’t seem to care

The long wait

Posted in: Free State, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight, Spotlight Edition 1

By Ufrieda Ho – Nurses are giving Cecilia Mokole dirty looks. Mokole meets their stares. She doesn’t care anymore what they think, or what they may do to her for speaking out.