Why a major finding on HIV and statins may not be that relevant in SA

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, Spotlight

One of the biggest stories in HIV in the last year was that a class of medicines called statins could help reduce cardiovascular disease in people living with the virus. In response, treatment guidelines in the United States were quickly updated, but the picture is more complicated in South Africa. Spotlight’s Elri Voigt explores why the case for widespread use of statins by people living with HIV is less compelling in South Africa than in some other countries.

Why a major finding on HIV and statins may not be that relevant in SA

Criminalisation of medical errors: What are the issues?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Spotlight

The South African Medical Association has for years raised concerns about the criminalisation of medical errors, stressing that current legal practices may undermine patient safety and deter doctors from performing high-risk procedures. Spotlight’s Thabo Molelekwa investigates.

Criminalisation of medical errors: What are the issues?

In the Spotlight | HIV prevention injections exist, but hardly anyone can get them

Posted in: #InTheSpotlight, Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest, Special Investigations, Spotlight

HIV prevention injections have been registered for use in South Africa, but their high price and limited supply means that for the next few years, while awaiting more affordable generics, very few people will be able to get the jabs. In this Spotlight special briefing, Catherine Tomlinson looks at the difficult choices facing the country if we want to offer the injection to more people more quickly. The calls we make could have global implications.

In the Spotlight | HIV prevention injections exist, but hardly anyone can get them

The health minister SA needs: astute politician, inspired leader, humble and fair

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Spotlight

By month end South Africa will have a new Minister of Health. Ufrieda Ho asked some academics and activists what qualities that person should have to tackle the key health issues the country faces.

The health minister SA needs: astute politician, inspired leader, humble and fair

Slow progress after decision to make TB prevention pills more widely available

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Latest, Spotlight, TB

Besides preventing illness and death, tuberculosis prevention therapy is estimated to be highly cost effective. Yet, uptake of the medication is not what it could be in South Africa. Tiyese Jeranji asks how much has changed since the Department of Health last year decided to make TB prevention therapy much more widely available.

Slow progress after decision to make TB prevention pills more widely available

More uproar at Zithulele Hospital as senior doctor is moved

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Latest, Spotlight

A senior doctor who worked at Zithulele Hospital in the Eastern Cape for close to a decade has been instructed to report to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha. Some Zithulele hospital staff and community members last week protested the move. Sue Segar reports.

More uproar at Zithulele Hospital as senior doctor is moved

EDITORIAL | Who will be SA’s Minister of Health in the new cabinet?

Posted in: Editorial, Focus 1, Focus 2, Latest, Spotlight

After the ANC received less than 41% of the votes in last week’s national elections, negotiations are now underway that will determine how and by who South Africa is governed. Ministerial posts, including the country’s top health job, might be on the negotiating table. Spotlight considers the candidates for the post of South Africa’s Minister of Health.

EDITORIAL | Who will be SA’s Minister of Health in the new cabinet?

At the heart of the NHI lies fairness: Outgoing chair of parliament’s health committee defends record

Posted in: Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

The chairperson of the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Health Dr Kenneth Jacobs played a pivotal role in deliberations on the National Health Insurance Bill. Spotlight’s Biénne Huisman asked Jacobs about some criticisms of NHI and about his plans for life after Parliament.

At the heart of the NHI lies fairness: Outgoing chair of parliament’s health committee defends record

A new breed – The thinking behind building a new medical school in North West province

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus 1, Focus 2, Healthcare system, Latest, North West

The North West University Medical School will be the country’s 11th medical school. Nthusang Lefafa speaks to public health experts to find out how this new medical school will do things differently.

A new breed – The thinking behind building a new medical school in North West province

HIV treatment for kids has improved and there is more to come, says Dr Moherndran Archary

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Child health, Focus 1, Focus 2, HIV/AIDS, Latest, Spotlight

Dr Moherndran Archary’s research has helped shape South African health policy, most notably the rollout of better HIV treatments for children and babies. Spotlight’s Biénne Huisman chatted to him about the state of HIV treatment for kids and some exciting prospects on the horizon.

HIV treatment for kids has improved and there is more to come, says Dr Moherndran Archary

#Vote4Health | Opposition parties promise to resolve healthcare understaffing. Do they have the right solutions?

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Access to Medicines, Focus 2, Latest, Spotlight

Several political parties have pledged to plug shortages of healthcare staff at government hospitals and clinics by training more health workers. They’re right to be concerned with understaffing, but are they putting the right solutions on the table? Jesse Copelyn investigates.

#Vote4Health | Opposition parties promise to resolve healthcare understaffing. Do they have the right solutions?

#Vote4Health | Only one of five political parties responds with their plans for KZN Health

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Focus 2, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Spotlight

KwaZulu-Natal is a high-stakes province that seems set for substantial political shake-ups come 29 May. Whichever way the pie gets divvied up though, healthcare is a matter of life-and-death. Ufrieda Ho asked five political parties about their plans for health in the province. Only one responded.