Vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe to use in late pregnancy and while breastfeeding

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest, Science

A vaginal ring used to prevent HIV infection is safe to use during late pregnancy and while breastfeeding, according to findings presented at a major international HIV conference in Seattle in the United States. The news comes as South Africa prepares for a likely national rollout of the ring and as more research confirms the safety of an HIV prevention pill during pregnancy. It is estimated that offering these products to pregnant and breastfeeding women could avert up to 136 000 new infections in roughly the next decade. Laura Lopez Gonzalez reports.

Vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe to use in late pregnancy and while breastfeeding

Disproportionate number of children in SA have severe asthma, experts say

Posted in: Child health, Latest

In South Africa we see a disproportionate number of children with severe asthma and as the prevalence of asthma has risen over the years, so did the severity. Data now suggests although prevalence is still high in children, it may be stabilising. However, problems with asthma control, under-diagnosis, and incorrect use of medicine remain. Elri Voigt investigates.

Disproportionate number of children in SA have severe asthma, experts say

In-depth: Some improvement but much more needed to address health needs of key populations

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Edition 9: State of HIV, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, LGBTI, Men's Health, Provinces, Reproductive Health, Sex Work, SRHR

Despite some improvement, the community-led monitoring group Ritshidze’s second report on key populations highlights that sex workers, people who use drugs and LGBTQIA+ community members are often still discriminated against when trying to access public health facilities. This can lead to treatment interruptions and some stopping their clinic visits. Nthusang Lefafa reports.

In-depth: Some improvement but much more needed to address health needs of key populations

OPINION: NHI Bill must still clear many hurdles to ensure adequate medicine access

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, NHI

The Health Department’s recent response to submissions and its own recommendations on amendments to the National Health Insurance Bill sadly does not realise the gravity of the threat to the future of medicine selection and access. As the Bill currently stands, it will leave us at the mercy of advisory committees that bear no duty to be transparent in deciding which medicines people will be able to access under NHI, the authors argue.

OPINION: NHI Bill must still clear many hurdles to ensure adequate medicine access

What’s the deal with viral variants when it comes to HIV?

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest, Science

A study published last year on an HIV variant that has been circulating in the Netherlands for the last 20 years reminded the public of the existence of viral variants beyond SARS-CoV-2. Elri Voigt unpacks what we know about the HI-virus, its variants, and the study’s findings.

What’s the deal with viral variants when it comes to HIV?

Analysis: Why has the price of this cancer medicine risen and fallen by over a thousand percent since 2016?

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest

Lenalidomide is an important medicine used for the treatment of multiple myeloma – a type of bone marrow cancer that is not curable and typically requires long-term, ongoing treatment. Over the last decade, the price of this drug has fluctuated dramatically in South Africa and patients and their doctors have gone to extreme lengths to access it. Catherine Tomlinson unpacks the remarkable recent history of lenalidomide.

Analysis: Why has the price of this cancer medicine risen and fallen by over a thousand percent since 2016?

R27m needed to get Eastern Cape EMS plan off the ground

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

In October last year, Eastern Cape Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth announced a three-phase plan to address key challenges with the province’s emergency medical services. Siyabonga Kamnqa visited All Saints Hospital in Ngcobo – one of the 28 priority hospitals targeted in the plan to see what progress has been made.

R27m needed to get Eastern Cape EMS plan off the ground

Why SA is not getting the new bivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

The Department of Health is not planning to buy the new COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines, specifically tailored to target Omicron variants, anytime soon. Adele Baleta looks into the reasoning behind this decision.

Why SA is not getting the new bivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

OPINION: Conversations about sex – we must do better for young people

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest, SRHR

Conversations with young people about sex can lead to safer sexual behaviour, like delayed sexual debut, the use of condoms and other contraceptives, and having fewer concurrent sexual partners but we need to give learners and young people clear and reliable information so that they can make informed choices relating to their health, writes Julia Chaskalson.

OPINION: Conversations about sex – we must do better for young people

In-depth: Should SA invest in the latest HIV tests?

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest, Science

South Africa’s HIV testing programme has been a huge success over the last decade, largely due to the use of rapid tests. Now, the introduction of a new generation of rapid tests may offer some benefits over the current tests, but the picture is somewhat complicated and the Department of Health is not currently planning to use the new tests. Amy Green investigates.

In-depth: Should SA invest in the latest HIV tests?

Progress in Charlotte Maxeke recovery, but HR and other problems persist

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

It is a race against the clock to keep to the timetable for repairs at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. This as Gauteng’s public healthcare needs mount and the challenges of alleged criminal activity and inefficiencies at the hospital persist. Ufrieda Ho reports.

Progress in Charlotte Maxeke recovery, but HR and other problems persist

Northern Cape health still without permanent head as suspended officials return

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Northern Cape, Provinces

Two senior officials have returned to the Northern Cape Department of Health following suspension, but the department remains without a permanent head. Opposition parties and trade union DENOSA have expressed concern over the impact the leadership instability is having on healthcare services in the province. Refilwe Mochoari reports.