OPINION: Struggle for migrant health rights still far from over after landmark judgment

Posted in: Child health, Gauteng, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, NHI, Provinces, Reproductive Health

In a landmark court decision, the Gauteng High Court recently confirmed the rights of all pregnant and lactating women and children under age six to access services for free at all levels of care. The court order sets a good precedent for migrant health rights going forward, writes Mbali Baduza and Kholofelo Mphahlele as they explain the build-up to the court proceedings and why this is significant for re-affirming the right to access to healthcare for all in terms of section27 of the Constitution.

OPINION: Struggle for migrant health rights still far from over after landmark judgment

OPINION: The promise of a financial boost for TB programmes – where to from here?

Posted in: Latest, TB

South Africa’s new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs 2023-2028 and the country’s TB Recovery Plan necessitate a sharp increase in TB testing and increased enrolment into care, which will require additional spending on testing and medicines. Sihle Mahonga Ndawonde argues that a joint committee should be set up to review and interrogate provincial departments’ resource allocation decisions for the next three years.

OPINION: The promise of a financial boost for TB programmes – where to from here?

New RSV vaccine can save thousands of lives, researchers say

Posted in: Child health, Latest

The first vaccine to prevent severe lung infections, including pneumonia, in infants will save thousands of lives and reduce the burden on health systems of low- to middle-income countries, researchers say. Adele Baleta reports.

New RSV vaccine can save thousands of lives, researchers say

Access to sufficient colostomy bags still hit-and-miss at Gauteng hospitals

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

Six months after Spotlight first reported on the plight of stoma patients experiencing shortages of colostomy and urostomy bags at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Gauteng, users are still reporting shortages at Baragwanath and other hospitals in the province. Thabo Molelekwa reports.

Access to sufficient colostomy bags still hit-and-miss at Gauteng hospitals

INTERVIEW: Being a good doctor requires empathy, says outgoing health ombud Prof Malegapuru Makgoba

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

South Africa’s health ombud Professor Malegapuru Makgoba’s tenure as ombud will end at the end of May. Bienne Huisman spoke to him about headline-making investigations into the Life Esidemeni tragedy and conditions at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, his childhood in Limpopo, and how he side-stepped former President Nelson Mandela’s invitation to join the African National Congress.

INTERVIEW: Being a good doctor requires empathy, says outgoing health ombud Prof Malegapuru Makgoba

OPINION: Oral health services for persons with special needs still lacking

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

While there is relatively good access to preventative and promotive oral healthcare services in the country, it does not go far enough to address the vast oral health-related issues that persons with disabilities present with, writes Dr Bulela Vava. If the government is to truly care for the oral health needs of persons with special needs, it will have to take bold steps to invest in building the requisite secondary and tertiary oral health service capacity.

OPINION: Oral health services for persons with special needs still lacking

Major study turns spotlight on formula milk industry

Posted in: Child health, Healthcare system, Latest, Reproductive Health

The scientific evidence that exclusive breastfeeding is best for infants is very strong. Yet, some baby milk formula companies continue to use questionable methods to create demand for their products, thereby undermining breastfeeding. Elsabé Brits explores this and spoke to experts based on a series of articles published in The Lancet.

Major study turns spotlight on formula milk industry

In-depth: After UN report, new focus on antimicrobial resistance in the environment

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

South African scientists have echoed serious concerns flagged in a recent UN Environmental Programme Report on the growth of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Sue Segar reports.

In-depth: After UN report, new focus on antimicrobial resistance in the environment

What new STI prevention findings mean for SA

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

Last year, Spotlight reported that taking a widely available antibiotic, doxycycline after condomless sex can reduce the risk of contracting three different sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Elri Voigt unpacks some further results from three studies presented at CROI2023 on Doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for STI prevention.

What new STI prevention findings mean for SA

Analysis: Do we have to balance the right to health with the right to strike or do we have to ask different questions of government?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

South Africa’s public health sector strikes often pit two rights against each other – the right of workers to strike and the rights of people to access healthcare services. Ufrieda Ho explores these tension points with the help of several relevant experts.

Analysis: Do we have to balance the right to health with the right to strike or do we have to ask different questions of government?

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?

In-depth: New screening programme planned for cystic fibrosis in SA

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest

In recent weeks, cystic fibrosis (CF) has been in the headlines because of a court case about access to new treatments for the genetic condition. After having reported on the court case, Catherine Tomlinson now unpacks how CF is diagnosed in South Africa and why so many cases here fall through the cracks. The good news, she reports, is that efforts are underway to establish a national infant screening programme.