When kids go hungry: COVID-19 relief grant misses the mark for children

Posted in: Child health, Latest

Over 7 million caregivers and 13 million children have been plunged deeper into poverty as payouts of the R500 caregiver grant ended in October. While this top-up was discontinued, the COVID-19 Special Relief of Distress grant which reaches an estimated 6 million people was extended. In the final article of a six-part series on child hunger, Kathryn Cleary speaks to mothers, children and experts about the implications of these decisions about grants.

When kids go hungry: COVID-19 relief grant misses the mark for children

When kids go hungry: Elsenburg’s women fill the food parcel ‘gap’

Posted in: Child health, Latest, Provinces, Western Cape

After not receiving any government food parcels, one Western Cape farming community pulled together to provide their own COVID-19 relief. In the fifth article of a six-part series on child hunger, Kathryn Cleary spoke to a few women from Elsenburg who have distributed their own food parcels and started soup kitchens to feed hungry children and families in their community.

When kids go hungry: Elsenburg’s women fill the food parcel ‘gap’

COVID-19: Robot Quintin connects patients in ICU with loved ones

Posted in: Latest, Provinces, Western Cape

At Cape Town’s Tygerberg Hospital, a robot named Quintin played its part in the fight to save Nceba Simayile’s life as he lay intubated on a ventilator, struggling to breathe. Biénne Huisman reports.

COVID-19: Robot Quintin connects patients in ICU with loved ones

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

COVID-19: No deal yet to access “90% effective” vaccine tested in South Africa

Posted in: Latest

The head of the South African arm of a key COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial is “full of pride” for the teams’ part in the research which has shown the vaccine candidate to be more than 90% effective according to early findings released this week. It however remains unclear whether the vaccine will be available in South Africa once registered. Adele Baleta reports.

COVID-19: No deal yet to access “90% effective” vaccine tested in South Africa

What it’s like: Being a pharmacist in South Africa in 2020

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Pharmacists do much more than stand behind a counter dispensing medicine. These professionals have a key role to play in the health care system and the overall well-being of people. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to a community pharmacist and pharmacists in the public health sector to understand their role and the challenges they face.

What it’s like: Being a pharmacist in South Africa in 2020

COVID-19: Students and parents should play their part in keeping safe amid exams

Posted in: Spotlight

Ahead of the end-of-year school exams the Western Cape Department of Education has called on matric pupils and their parents to consider the COVID-19 risk associated with attending large social events. Since June, 792 learners have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Western Cape. Siyabonga Kamnqa reports.

COVID-19: Students and parents should play their part in keeping safe amid exams

When kids go hungry: One young man’s struggle for food and love in Sun City

Posted in: Child health, Eastern Cape, Latest, Provinces

Food is not the only thing needed to end child hunger and malnutrition. Another invisible nutrient is love. In the second of a six-part series focussing on child hunger, Kathryn Cleary speaks to a 19-year-old about his battle against the vicious cycle of hunger and poverty in the Eastern Cape.

When kids go hungry: One young man’s struggle for food and love in Sun City

Concerns mount as MSF pulls out of North West

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, North West, Provinces, Reproductive Health, SRHR

The exit of Doctors without Borders’ (MSF) rape crisis support in the North West province during the COVID-19 pandemic arguably could not come at a worse time. Is the North West’s Department of Health ready to take over these services? Ufrieda Ho reports.

Concerns mount as MSF pulls out of North West

IN DEPTH: Power grab or tying loose ends? Experts respond to new health regulations

Posted in: Latest

As Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize’s proposed amendments to regulations on notifiable medical conditions came under fire in Parliament this week, some public health and medical law experts welcomed the proposed amendments to the regulations and even made some suggestions on how it could be improved. Alicestine October took an in-depth look at what is at stake.

IN DEPTH: Power grab or tying loose ends? Experts respond to new health regulations

Analysis: Hunger remains a crisis in SA, despite new survey numbers

Posted in: Child health, Latest, Spotlight Edition 5: Youth Edition

The second wave of findings from the National Income Dynamics Study: Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) released today, shows that household hunger has declined by about a quarter since the release of the first wave of findings. Although encouraging, there are still severe and unacceptably high levels of childhood hunger and stunting, writes Kathryn Cleary.

Analysis: Hunger remains a crisis in SA, despite new survey numbers

Dire conditions at Mthatha General and Nessie Knight hospitals

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Edition 13: Eastern Cape Health, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Provinces

The dire state of health infrastructure and services in the Eastern Cape has made headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic and triggered promises of government intervention, but in some hospitals those providing and receiving healthcare note little to no improvement. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports.