Opinion: Better data is first step in improving services for persons with disabilities

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest

South Africa ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in 2007 – but the data needed to track the implementation of the convention in South Africa is often incomparable across sectors, of low quality, or completely lacking. This limits civil society’s ability to hold the government accountable and makes it impossible to ensure equity for marginalised groups in how government plans, budgets, and implements services, argues Rural Rehab South Africa’s outgoing chair, Maryke Bezuidenhout.

Opinion: Better data is first step in improving services for persons with disabilities

As testing volumes improve, government outlines TB recovery plan

Posted in: Latest, TB, TB

South Africa’s tuberculosis (TB) testing numbers have recovered from dramatic declines in 2020, delegates heard at the opening of the 7th South African TB Conference in Durban. The Department of Health also provided some details of its TB recovery plans and targets. Tiyese Jeranji reports from Durban.

As testing volumes improve, government outlines TB recovery plan

COVID-19: Binning of jabs a ‘shocking indictment’ of vaccination campaign, says health expert

Posted in: Spotlight

COVID-19 vaccine doses destined to be binned next month are “a shocking indictment” and questions need to be asked about just how effective the country’s vaccination drive has been, some public health experts say. Ufrieda Ho reports.

COVID-19: Binning of jabs a ‘shocking indictment’ of vaccination campaign, says health expert

ANALYSIS: Reflections on TAC’s future as new leadership elected

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) elected new leadership at its recently held seventh national congress. Thabo Molelekwa attended the congress and asked TAC leaders about the organisation’s focus in 2022 and beyond.

ANALYSIS: Reflections on TAC’s future as new leadership elected

Women in Health: Lydia Cairncross, the straight-talker at the helm of Groote Schuur’s surgery recovery project

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Western Cape

Head of general surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital, Professor Lydia Cairncross is a sharp thinker and straight talker. Whether it is on issues of equity and social justice or on how to strengthen quality healthcare – Cairncross speaks her mind. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to her as part of Spotlight’s Women in Health series.

Women in Health: Lydia Cairncross, the straight-talker at the helm of Groote Schuur’s surgery recovery project

Women in Health: Dr Angela Hartwig – a torchbearer for rural health

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

At one stage during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Angela Hartwig was the only doctor at Adelaide Hospital in the Eastern Cape. She also fell ill while pregnant and working, and ended up in a COVID-ward. Despite the challenges the pandemic dished out to health facilities and health workers, especially in rural areas like Adelaide, she remains passionate about rural health. Bienne Huisman spoke to her as part of Spotlight’s Women in Health series.

Women in Health: Dr Angela Hartwig – a torchbearer for rural health

Women in Health: From test tubes to impacting lives – Dr Thesla Palanee-Phillips on making a difference with science

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Dr Thesla Palanee-Phillips is the Director of Clinical Trials at the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) at the University of the Witwatersrand. As part of Spotlight’s Women in Health series, Elri Voigt spoke to her about what set her off into a career in science, the significance of the ASPIRE trial that she co-chaired, and juggling motherhood and her career.

Women in Health: From test tubes to impacting lives – Dr Thesla Palanee-Phillips on making a difference with science

COVID-19: Benefits of vaccines still far outweigh risks, experts say

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

The benefits of approved COVID-19 vaccines still far outweigh the risks, experts say following a recently reported death in South Africa linked to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Adele Baleta reports.

COVID-19: Benefits of vaccines still far outweigh risks, experts say

Opinion: The health sector can help address the impact of violence against women, here’s how

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

At the start of Women’s month this year, the gang rape of eight women at a mine dump in Krugersdorp made headlines in South Africa and abroad, adding to the country’s blood-curdling statistics of femicide and violence against women. René Sparks argues that the public health sector should play a bigger role in addressing violence against women.

Opinion: The health sector can help address the impact of violence against women, here’s how

Women in Health: “I don’t like seeing anybody treated unfairly” – new leader of HIV Clinicians Society

Posted in: Edition 9: State of HIV, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Juliet Houghton was recently appointed as the CEO of the Southern African HIV Clinician’s Society (SAHCS). As part of Spotlight’s Women in Health series, Bienne Huisman spoke to her about her life working in HIV, her new role at the SAHCS, the importance of being able to laugh, and the Shakespearian origins of her name.

Opinion: Engaging communities and young people in the HIV response

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

The AIDS2022 conference held recently in Montreal, Canada highlighted yet again the need for community activism and the importance of involving young people, writes Dr Yogan Pillay. He argues that the youth and communities must be engaged in the conceptualisation and writing of South Africa’s new AIDS plan, and young people and community-based organisations must have a central role in key aspects of its implementation.

Opinion: Engaging communities and young people in the HIV response

“It took me three seconds to decide” – Fareed Abdullah reflects on his career in public health

Posted in: Edition 9: State of HIV, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Over the last three decades, Dr Fareed Abdullah has been at the coalface of South Africa’s response to HIV, tuberculosis, and more recently, COVID-19. Biénne Huisman chatted with Abdullah about providing antiretrovirals in the time of AIDS denialism, National Health Insurance, working as a medical doctor, and the toll HIV has sadly taken on his own family.