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The high road is in harm reduction

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 29 Oct 2020

While the restriction of movement curtailed the health services for people who use drugs in some parts of the world, it propelled other countries into finding innovative ways to continue services, a new report reveals

Wheeling and dealing for a Covid-19 vaccine

Coronavirus Laura López González - 27 Oct 2020

A Covid-19 jab could cost hundreds of rands. Or not. It’s anyone’s guess. Could another pandemic almost a century ago hold clues for handling the coronavirus today?

World of vaccines is a ‘fiendishly’ complex one

Coronavirus Thabani Maphosa - 24 Oct 2020

It is important that Africa, along with other regions of the Global South, builds its own vaccine-manufacturing capacity

Vitamin therapy is for drips

Health Sarah Smit - 23 Oct 2020

It may be marketed by influencers, but intravenous vitamin therapy is not necessary and probably not worth the hype, experts say

Ailing Far East Rand hospital purchases ‘vanity’ furniture

Health Khaya Koko - 20 Oct 2020

Dr Zacharia Mathaba, who purchased the furniture, is a suspected overtime fraudster and was appointed as Gauteng hospital chief executive despite facing serious disciplinary charges

Covid-19 disrupts HIV and TB services

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 18 Oct 2020

While data is still trickling in on how much the pandemic affects health systems, there are far-reaching consequences for people living with HIV and tuberculosis.

The quiet front line battle of South Africa’s rural nurses

Health Kim Harrisberg & Gulshan Khan - 14 Oct 2020

The focus may have been on urban nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic, but those in rural areas suffer similar fates. However, very little is known about how they have been able to cope

The case for decriminalising personal drug use

Health Lester Kiewit - 3 Oct 2020

Deputy Social Development Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu tells the UN that the war on drugs has failed and is suggesting other options to tackle addiction

Four big hospitals in Gauteng fail to observe Covid-19 health protocols

Coronavirus Bongekile Macupe - 2 Oct 2020

This week the M&G visited four big hospitals in Gauteng — and none of them were adhering to safety standards to minimise and prevent the spread of the coronavirus

Trump win will abort health care

Health Pontsho Pilane - 1 Oct 2020

Threats of funding cuts has caused a reduction in reproductive and sexual health services

Q&A Sessions: The accidental vaccinologist

Health Athandiwe Saba - 5 Sep 2020

Athandiwe Saba talks to Professor Shabir Madhi, the man at the helm of South Africa’s Covid vaccine trials

Covid-19 sets HIV treatment and testing back

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 4 Sep 2020

Fewer people are getting tested for HIV than last year. People are also battling to access chronic medication. These are some of the lasting effects of the lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic

‘Jobs vs health’: What will shape public-health policies after Covid-19?

Coronavirus Yandisa Ngqangashe - 31 Aug 2020

Comorbidities, particularly noncommunicable diseases have been put into the spotlight during the Covid-19 pandemic. How we approach preventing NCDs in the future will depend on how the effects of the coronavirus are framed

Decide now whether you’d like life support

Coronavirus Simon Delaney - 25 Aug 2020

A living will — drawn up when you have your full wits about you — can speak when you cannot

Othering fatness: Medical professionals’ negative bias towards fat people jeopardises the quality of care

Health Pontsho Pilane - 21 Aug 2020

Pontsho Pilane speaks to three women who have found it difficult to access quality healthcare because of medical professionals’ weight bias

Covid-19 puts Sierra Leone’s expectant mothers at further risk

Africa Abdul S Brima - 20 Aug 2020

Almost 70% of the world’s maternal deaths happen in Africa. Now there’s coronavirus — and with poor prenatal and postnatal care on the continent, expectant mothers and children under five are even more vulnerable.

Behind the masks: Meet the people who keep Gauteng’s Covid-19 field hospital going

Coronavirus James Oatway & Joan Van Dyk - 19 Aug 2020

Get to know the cleaners, plumbers and therapists who work at the Nasrec field hospital. Plus, find out what happens to newspapers, food and medical equipment used at the Covid-19 facility

Pandemic profiteering: Activists sound the alarm over Big Pharma

Coronavirus Pontsho Pilane - 15 Aug 2020

Big Pharma is already showing signs of putting revenue ahead of saving lives in the race to find a Covid-19 vaccine, according to experts

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