December 3

• South Africa: From Zero to Hero

  The country has made substantial progress in the fight against HIV, but there are still many holes in the system - particularly around TB treatment Read more »

December 2

• South Africa: Simplifying Aids Treatment

  This past week the national Health Department announced that as from April 2013, AIDS patients will start taking one antiretroviral pill a day that combines the compounds of all... Read more »

November 30

• South Africa: Finally, South Africa Announces Single Pill for HIV

  Government took a major step towards improving HIV treatment compliance and cost with the announcement that the new antiretroviral (ARV) tender will include a triple fixed dose... Read more »

• South Africa: Clubbing Together for Treatment

  Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence clubs, already operating in several high burden areas in Cape Town, have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of millions of... Read more »

• South Africa: Leap in Life Expectancy

  The life expectancy of South Africans has increased by six years since 2009, but recent health gains could be lost if the management of services is not improved. Read more »

• South Africa: Free State Patients Wait Hours for Ambulances

  Poor service by the Free State Emergency Services (EMS) have negatively impacted the lives of several patients. Read more »

November 29

• Africa: The Stavudine Debate

  At the opening of the SA HIV Clinicians Society there was an excellent debate on the stavudine (also known as d4T) 20mg trial. Francois Venter argued for and Eric Goemaere against.... Read more »

• South Africa: HIVSA Reaches Two Million People Via Cellphone Messaging This World Aids Day [press release]

  HIVSA in partnership with the Provincial Department of Health, Gauteng, will be sending out two million health related mobile phone messages to the general public, in support of... Read more »

• South Africa: Immediate Action Required to Solve the Systemic Crisis At Mthatha Medical Depot [press release]

  The Budget Expenditure Monitoring Forum (BEMF), the Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP), the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), the Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa... Read more »

November 28

• South Africa: Young KZN Mom's Battle With HIV

  Thabile* is a 19-year-old mother of two who gave birth to an HIV positive baby, Andiwe, two months ago. Read more »

• South Africa: 100 Years of Failure to Control TB Transmission

  Tuberculosis transmission rates in South Africa and more specifically Cape Town have not changed at all over the past 100 years, even though people are living longer and being... Read more »

November 27

• South Africa: No Stop to HIV Infections Unless Gender Violence Addressed

  Zero HIV infection rates will never be achieved unless tackling gender-based violence is part of addressing the epidemic, an expert told HIV specialists, researchers and nurses,... Read more »

November 26

• South Africa: Helping Cancer Patients Access Effective Treatment

  Phamaceutical drug manufacturer, Novartis South Africa, has taken steps to make an important drug in the treatment of a rare type of leukaemia called chronic myelogenous leukaemia... Read more »

• South Africa: The Case for Pre-Approval Access to Bedaquiline [press release]

  Bedaquiline is an anti-tuberculosis drug that is still being tested in clinical trials. It is not yet approved anywhere in the world, though it is steadily making progress towards... Read more »

• South Africa: Access to Treatment Worries HIV Patient

  Twenty-two year old Olwethu Mhlanti from Mevana Administration Area in Lusikisiki was recently diagnosed with HIV. He is unsure about his future and has little faith in the... Read more »

November 23

• South Africa: Free State Hospital Pharmacy Wins National Award

  The Dihlabeng Regional Hospital (DRH) Pharmacy in Bethlehem, in the Free State, was lauded at the 10th Annual National Centre for Public Service Innovation Awards that recently... Read more »

• South Africa: Diagnostic Machine a Boon for TB Patients

  Advocacy drives by civil society organisations such as the Treatment Action Campaign are bringing about positive change in this Eastern Cape community. Read more »

• South Africa: Limpopo Medicine Stock Out Resolved

  Health care workers in Vhembe this week breathed a sigh of relief after medicine stocks were replenished. Two weeks ago OurHealth reported that two clinics in this area of Limpopo... Read more »

• South Africa: Centre a Lifeline for Mpophomeni Community

  In 2000 the Ethembeni Care Centre was established by Dr Rouen Bruni who, along with about 10 home-based caregivers, provided medical assistance to people in the community,... Read more »

• South Africa: Nothing Good About Tobacco

  Across the world and more recently in South Africa, the tobacco industry and its allies continuously push to weaken or repeal smoke-free laws. Two common tactics used to weaken... Read more »

November 22

• South Africa: Tshwane Men Queuing for Medical Circumcision

  A drive by civil society organisations to promote male medical circumcision have seen more men and boys over the age of 12 reporting to the local KT Motubatsi clinic for this... Read more »

November 21

• South Africa: UNAids - Less Children HIV Infected

  South Africa has received global recognition for achieving a significant reduction in the number of children newly infected with HIV. Read more »

• South Africa: Miracle Baby for Cancer Patient

  It is a handsome, energised young couple that meet me at a coffee shop in Claremont, Cape Town. Lee-Anne (28) orders an apple juice - she's careful of what she eats and drinks... Read more »

November 20

• Africa: Diabetes - Ticking Time Bomb

  It is estimated that more than 500 million people worldwide will have diabetes in 20 years’ time. As World Diabetes day was commemorated last week, people have been warned to... Read more »

• South Africa: Gauteng Delay Tactics On Medicines Depot Findings

  The Gauteng Health Department is delaying the announcement of findings of a forensic investigation into suspected financial irregularities at the provincial medicines supplies... Read more »