In-depth: SA’s mental health policy has lapsed, what happens next?

Posted in: Spotlight

Once widely hailed, South Africa’s Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013 – 2020 lapsed last year, with mixed reviews on its implementation from mental healthcare stakeholders. The National Department of Health now says the revised and updated Policy Framework and Plan will be in place in the next financial year. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to experts and activists about what the lapsed policy framework achieved and what to improve.

In-depth: SA’s mental health policy has lapsed, what happens next?

Opinion: Climate emergency risks becoming a mental health emergency

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

Studies have shown that the rate of mental health problems, such as suicidality, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, increase after natural disasters. Mbalenhle Baduza unpacks the findings of a recent report by the Centre for Environmental Rights on the psychological and mental health consequences of climate change in South Africa.

Opinion: Climate emergency risks becoming a mental health emergency

Opinion: The over-criminalisation of HIV transmission does more harm than good

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

Although it is necessary for the criminal justice system to prohibit and punish conduct that is harmful to the public interest, criminalising exposure to or transmission of HIV goes against important public health principles, writes Sibusisiwe Ndlela.

Opinion: The over-criminalisation of HIV transmission does more harm than good

Ageing nurses: A crisis on the horizon

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Nurses make up a large part of the healthcare workforce in South Africa, but almost half of them are set to retire in the next 15 years. This suggests existing shortages of nurses will become even greater unless we take concrete steps to boost nurse training and retention. Elna Schütz reports.

LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST: A Recap on its progress and what to expect

Posted in: Latest, Mental Health

The ongoing judicial inquest into the deaths of mental healthcare users during the Life Esidimeni tragedy in 2016, has again been postponed this week. It is the fifth time the proceedings have been postponed since the inquest started in July this year, signalling that there is still a long road ahead for determining any criminal accountability for these deaths. Julia Chaskalson takes stock of the progress so far and what to expect in the months ahead.

LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST: A Recap on its progress and what to expect

COVID-19: Unpacking North West’s low vaccination numbers

Posted in: Spotlight

The North West has passed the one million mark for COVID-19 jabs administered. Nthusang Lefafa unpacks the vaccination numbers, reasons for the province having some of the lowest vaccination numbers in the country, and how it is working to catch up.

COVID-19: Unpacking North West’s low vaccination numbers

In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

As World Sight Day approaches on 14 October, Gauteng faces the damning reality that thousands of cataract patients are waiting up to two years to receive the simple life-changing surgery. Ufrieda Ho reports.

In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng?

Mental Health: How are we doing? What do we need to do?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

In its observations on South Africa, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) expressed grave concern regarding the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities. Professor Lesley Robertson looks at our medical model of disability and mental health legislation and unpacks the change needed at the societal and health system levels.

Mental Health: How are we doing? What do we need to do?

EDITORIAL: Spotlight on mental health

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

In the spirit of mental health awareness month this October, Spotlight will publish a mental health special series in the coming weeks. This is what you can expect.

COVID-19: How to respond to vaccine hesitancy

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Initially hamstrung by low and uncertain supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, government is arguably now in a better position to campaign actively to accelerate vaccine demand, albeit in the midst of an often-harmful viral “infodemic”. Chris Bateman asks what can be done to boost demand for the jab.

COVID-19: How to respond to vaccine hesitancy

Eastern Cape health services hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages, report finds

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, Provinces

Findings of a clinic monitoring report released last week, again highlighted how delivery of health services in the Eastern Cape are hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages. Luvuyo Mehlwana unpacks the data and the provincial health department’s plans to address the challenges identified in the report.

Eastern Cape health services hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages, report finds

Big Acts, little access: The disconnect between SA’s abortion policies and women’s lived realities

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest, Reproductive Health, SRHR

Since the enactment of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP Act) in 1996, there has been a significant disconnect between the official policy on safe abortion and its implementation. The situation has worsened with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and access to abortion services is now severely limited, write Boitumelo Masipa and Thembi Mahlathi.