In-depth, public interest health journalism.

A quiet crisis: Babies born with hearing loss often diagnosed too late in SA

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Child health, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight

Despite the proven benefits of newborn hearing screening and early intervention, universal screening is not yet mandated in South Africa and is only available at a few public hospitals.

A quiet crisis: Babies born with hearing loss often diagnosed too late in SA

As another Rare Diseases Day swings by, is SA ready to take it more seriously?

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight

Individual rare diseases impact only a very small fraction of people, but collectively they are estimated to affect over three million in South Africa. As we mark International Rare Disease Day on 28 February, Elna Schütz assesses the state of play with rare diseases in the country.