Antibiotic slashes risk of drug-resistant TB in kids, finds major SA study

Posted in: Latest, TB, TB

Tuberculosis (TB) preventive therapy has been transformed in recent years, with treatment duration having been cut from six or more months to just three or one. Progress in developing new treatments to prevent drug-resistant forms of TB has however lagged behind, especially in children. Elri Voigt unpacks findings from a major new TB prevention study presented at the Union World Conference on Lung Health last week and plans for another important preventive therapy trial set to start soon.

Antibiotic slashes risk of drug-resistant TB in kids, finds major SA study

In-depth: What it means to build genomics capacity in Africa

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Science

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the remarkable power of genomics in helping us keep track of new viral variants. Several scientists argue that Africa should continue to invest in genomics to support disease control and public health. Sue Segar asks what this means in practice and why it is considered so critically important.

In-depth: What it means to build genomics capacity in Africa

Face to Face: Professor Soraya Seedat on the ‘workings of the brain’ and the realities of psychiatry in SA

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Mental Health

Professor Soraya Seedat is a distinguished professor and head of Stellenbosch University’s psychiatry department. She has penned several hundreds of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on psychiatric disorders, with a focus on PTSD and anxiety, particularly among children and in resource-constrained settings. Biénne Huisman sat down with her to talk about her work, what drives her, and maintaining a work-life equilibrium.

Face to Face: Professor Soraya Seedat on the ‘workings of the brain’ and the realities of psychiatry in SA

From Cameroonian village to Stellenbosch Professor – top TB researcher reflects on a remarkable journey

Posted in: Edition 10: Drug-resistant TB, Edition 14: Tuberculosis, Edition 7: TB, Healthcare Workers, Latest, Science, TB, TB

When Novel Chegou first arrived in Stellenbosch from Cameroon in 2004 he sold African crafts at a stall next to the town’s village green to save money for his studies. Today, Professor Chegou is one of South Africa’s leading tuberculosis researchers. Biénne Huisman caught up with Chegou shortly after the announcement that he had been awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize.

From Cameroonian village to Stellenbosch Professor – top TB researcher reflects on a remarkable journey

NHI Lawmakers: Interview with Kenneth Jacobs, new chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Dr Kenneth Jacobs was elected chairperson of the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Health last month. Biénne Huisman chatted to Jacobs about National Health Insurance, the role of Parliament, working with the Stormers rugby team, and his own background and journey to serving as chair of such an important parliamentary committee.

NHI Lawmakers: Interview with Kenneth Jacobs, new chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health

Women in Health: Falling in love with chemistry

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

The first time Dr Rehana Malgas-Enus (38) stepped into a chemistry lab at university, she fell in love. This love has fuelled many of her career achievements but now also drives her to share her love of science with learners from disadvantaged communities. Elri Voigt spoke to Malgas-Enus as part of Spotlight’s Women in Health series.