Women in Health: Francesca Conradie – from HIV to groundbreaking TB research

Posted in: Edition 10: Drug-resistant TB, Edition 14: Tuberculosis, Edition 7: TB, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Dr Francesca Conradie knew she wanted to be a doctor when she was eight years old. Now, 50 years later, she is a pioneer in the field of tuberculosis (TB) and led a landmark trial that changed how drug-resistant TB is treated. Aisha Abdool Karim spoke to her about the reasons behind her switch from HIV research to TB, her initial surprise at the remarkable NiX trial results, and the man who has shaped her life – her father.

Women in Health: Francesca Conradie – from HIV to groundbreaking TB research

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

Women in Health: How Daphney Conco dreamed of wearing a graduation gown and did it

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Dr Daphney Conco is passionate about sexual and reproductive health rights – access to abortion in particular – and that is why she is now at the forefront of research on access to abortion services in South Africa. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to her about her work, her passion for research, and how as a little girl in rural KwaZulu-Natal she dreamed of wearing a graduation gown.

Women in Health: How Daphney Conco dreamed of wearing a graduation gown and did it

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

AIDS 2022: What does an important STI prevention finding mean for SA?

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

Taking the antibiotic doxycycline after condomless sex can reduce the risk of contracting three different sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to a study presented last week at the AIDS 2022 conference in Montreal, Canada. Elri Voigt unpacks the study findings and asks local experts what it might mean for combatting STIs in South Africa.

AIDS 2022: What does an important STI prevention finding mean for SA?

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.

In-depth: What are fuelling concerns over nurse training in South Africa?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union says legal and regulatory obstacles are stalling the training of qualified nurses in South Africa – something the country can ill afford. Thabo Molelekwa spoke to union members, some nurses, and nurse educators, as well as the South African Nursing Council, to unpack how nurse training in South Africa has changed and affected the output of nurse graduates.

In-depth: What are fuelling concerns over nurse training in South Africa?

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

Clinics hit hard by water shortages in Nelson Mandela Bay

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

The Nelson Mandela Bay metro in the Eastern Cape is in the grips of a severe drought. Public health facilities in the metro have been hit hard with some having to close or reduce the number of people they attend to. Authorities say measures are in place to prevent a complete standstill. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports.

Clinics hit hard by water shortages in Nelson Mandela Bay

“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.

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

Analysis: What will a new turnaround plan mean for Kimberley Hospital?

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

Northern Cape Health MEC Marupeng Lekwene and the CEO of the Robert Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley recently launched a turnaround plan to address a litany of challenges at the province’s only tertiary hospital. Refilwe Mochoari and Alicestine October combed through departmental reports and speeches and spoke to several health stakeholders to assess the new plan.

Analysis: What will a new turnaround plan mean for Kimberley Hospital?

Experts welcome new HIV treatments for kids

Posted in: Child health, HIV/AIDS, Latest

New child-friendly formulations of several important antiretroviral medicines were recently approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Thabo Molelekwa asks what this means for children living with HIV in South Africa and how long it will take for these medicines to become widely available.