Opinion: Could community health workers be the answer to reducing Tuberculosis stigma?

Posted in: Latest, TB

Tuberculosis stigma thrives when TB is spoken about in hushed whispers, or behind closed doors. The truth is anyone who breathes can get TB as it is an airborne disease like COVID-19. We can all reduce the harmful effect of TB stigma in our communities by taking part in activities that break down false and unfair attitudes towards people with TB. Community health workers are leading the way and deserve more support, write authors from TB Proof.

Opinion: Could community health workers be the answer to reducing Tuberculosis stigma?

Confusion over healthcare worker contracts in the Eastern Cape

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Thousands of healthcare contract workers in the Eastern Cape Department of Health face an uncertain future over the continued extension of their contracts. This follows two conflicting decisions on ending contracts of workers roped in February last year to help in the fight against COVID-19 in the province. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports.

Confusion over healthcare worker contracts in the Eastern Cape

Vaccine acceptance increasing in SA, survey suggests

Posted in: Spotlight

There was a discernible shift towards vaccine acceptance in April and May compared to the preceding two months, according to the latest findings from the NIDS-CRAM survey.

Vaccine acceptance increasing in SA, survey suggests

How safe is your data on the EVDS?

Posted in: Spotlight

With the 1 July opening of registration for those aged 50-59, over 4.8 million more people can now register on South Africa’s Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS). They will join a few million people before them in providing personal information including their names, ID numbers, cell phone numbers, and medical aid numbers if applicable. Laura Owings asks how safe your data is on the EVDS.

Interview: Acting Free State Health head on his plans for the department

Posted in: COVID-19, Free State, Latest, Provinces

On 20 May Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela announced that Godfrey Mahlatsi will replace then head of the province’s health department Dr David Motau in an acting capacity. Refilwe Mochoari asked Mahlatsi about his plans for a department that has seen its fair share of controversy over the years.

Interview: Acting Free State Health head on his plans for the department

Alcohol bans had greater impact than curfews, study finds

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

New research published in the South African Medical Journal has found compelling evidence that a blanket ban on alcohol reduces the number of unnatural deaths related to trauma injuries while curfews have less of an impact. Adele Baleta spoke to lead author, Professor Tom Moultrie.

Alcohol bans had greater impact than curfews, study finds

COVID-19: “When will it end? I wish it would happen tomorrow” – Gauteng GP

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

For Dr Yakub Essack, a GP in Gauteng, the long workdays have become even longer as GPs become a vital pillar for managing COVID-19 patients in their homes for as long as possible to free up hospital beds during Gauteng’s third wave. Ufrieda Ho reports.

COVID-19: “When will it end? I wish it would happen tomorrow” – Gauteng GP

COVID-19: Eight common questions answered about the Delta variant

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

The new and more contagious Delta variant has now surpassed the Beta variant to become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in South Africa. Laura Lopez Gonzalez pulled together answers to eight common questions asked about this new variant.

COVID-19: Eight common questions answered about the Delta variant

OPINION: Excluding foreign nationals undermines the vaccine rollout

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest

Refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and undocumented people are estimated to make up around 4 million of the people living in South Africa. That is nearly 7% of the country’s total population yet there is still no clarity on the process to register and vaccinate undocumented people.

OPINION: Excluding foreign nationals undermines the vaccine rollout

COVID-19: Will vaccinated people in South Africa need booster shots?

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

The two vaccines used in South Africa’s vaccination programme, those from Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer/BioNTech, have both been shown to be highly effective against COVID-19, particularly in preventing hospitalisation and death. But protection may wane over time and new variants may or may not render these vaccines less effective. Adele Baleta unpacks what we do and do not know about the potential need for booster shots and surveys some of the studies that will help fill the gaps.

COVID-19: Will vaccinated people in South Africa need booster shots?

Opinion: Amidst the pandemic, health facility quality ratings give a false sense of security.

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Health facility assessments are crucial to ensure patients’ needs for care are met, but often these assessments become a box-ticking exercise the country can ill afford, writes René Sparks.

Opinion: Amidst the pandemic, health facility quality ratings give a false sense of security.

In-depth: How can we improve ventilation to prevent COVID-19 and TB?

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Ventilation plays an important role in preventing the transmission of airborne diseases but currently, ventilation standards for buildings are focused on preventing odours in spaces, instead of preventing disease transmission. Elri Voigt spoke to two experts about the role of ventilation in the transmission of airborne diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19 and what can be done to improve ventilation in buildings.