What public sector mental health services look like in the Free State

Posted in: COVID-19, Free State, Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health, Provinces

A 36-year-old mother living with HIV from Thabong in Welkom in the Free State is among the many millions of people in South Africa who rely on public healthcare services. Also, like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated disruptions have left her in a constant struggle with anxiety. Refilwe Mochoari asks what mental health services are available to people in the Free State who depend on the public healthcare system.

What public sector mental health services look like in the Free State

Mental Health: Grief, loss – we are all traumatised, says psychiatrist on the COVID-19 frontlines

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest

Working with Groote Schuur Hospital’s frontline COVID team, Psychiatry Professor Jackie Hoare help manage the mental health of patients admitted with severe COVID pneumonia and also the mental health needs of fellow healthcare workers. Bienne Huisman caught up with her to talk about providing counselling at the bedside of COVID patients and how we deal with the complexities of grief in a time of COVID-19.

Mental Health: Grief, loss – we are all traumatised, says psychiatrist on the COVID-19 frontlines

COVID-19: What tests are available in SA and which ones to use?

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest

The different types of COVID-19 tests are far from equal. Picking a test is generally a matter of speed versus accuracy and, most importantly, why you need a test and when. What are the limitations of these tests? Is there any quality control? What are the chances of false positives and false negatives? Elsabé Brits surveys the landscape of tests available in South Africa and asks which type is most appropriate in what situation.

COVID-19: What tests are available in SA and which ones to use?

In-depth: SA’s mental health policy has lapsed, what happens next?

Posted in: Spotlight

Once widely hailed, South Africa’s Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013 – 2020 lapsed last year, with mixed reviews on its implementation from mental healthcare stakeholders. The National Department of Health now says the revised and updated Policy Framework and Plan will be in place in the next financial year. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to experts and activists about what the lapsed policy framework achieved and what to improve.

In-depth: SA’s mental health policy has lapsed, what happens next?

Opinion: Climate emergency risks becoming a mental health emergency

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

Studies have shown that the rate of mental health problems, such as suicidality, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, increase after natural disasters. Mbalenhle Baduza unpacks the findings of a recent report by the Centre for Environmental Rights on the psychological and mental health consequences of climate change in South Africa.

Opinion: Climate emergency risks becoming a mental health emergency

COVID-19: Unpacking North West’s low vaccination numbers

Posted in: Spotlight

The North West has passed the one million mark for COVID-19 jabs administered. Nthusang Lefafa unpacks the vaccination numbers, reasons for the province having some of the lowest vaccination numbers in the country, and how it is working to catch up.

COVID-19: Unpacking North West’s low vaccination numbers

In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

As World Sight Day approaches on 14 October, Gauteng faces the damning reality that thousands of cataract patients are waiting up to two years to receive the simple life-changing surgery. Ufrieda Ho reports.

In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng?

COVID-19: How to respond to vaccine hesitancy

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Initially hamstrung by low and uncertain supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, government is arguably now in a better position to campaign actively to accelerate vaccine demand, albeit in the midst of an often-harmful viral “infodemic”. Chris Bateman asks what can be done to boost demand for the jab.

COVID-19: How to respond to vaccine hesitancy

COVID-19: Is SA vaccinating enough older persons to protect against possible fourth wave?

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest

Just 54% of people in South Africa over the age of 50 have received at least one COVID-19 jab, with significant variation between provinces, as experts warn of the possibility of another wave of COVID-19 in future. Chris Bateman reports.

COVID-19: Is SA vaccinating enough older persons to protect against possible fourth wave?

COVID-19: What is behind Limpopo’s vaccination numbers?

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest, Limpopo, Provinces

Limpopo has consistently been one of South Africa’s leading provinces when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, outshining some larger and less rural provinces such as Gauteng. Mogale Mojela visited some vaccination sites and spoke to the Limpopo health department and other stakeholders about their approach to getting people jabbed.

COVID-19: What is behind Limpopo’s vaccination numbers?

Experts broadly positive about digital vaccination certificates

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Plans to issue a digital vaccination certificate to people who have been jabbed were announced last week, but so far details have been sparse. Spotlight spoke to several experts to get their views on what we know about the certificates so far.

Experts broadly positive about digital vaccination certificates

Christiana community concerned over access to health services after hospital fire

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, North West, Provinces

While it is still unclear what caused the fire at the Christiana Hospital in the North West last week, residents are concerned about what this means for their health needs. Millions of rands’ worth of infrastructure upgrades were destroyed by a fire that left a big part of the hospital in ruins. Nthusang Lefafa reports.