The Life Esidimeni tragedy is a stark illustration of how people’s socioeconomic standing affects the mental health services they are able to access
After 30 years of research, the World Health Organisation is finally recommending the widespread use of a malaria vaccine
South Africa’s laws allow the government to implement mandatory Covid vaccinations but, if it chooses this path, it must do so responsibly
The financial and public health cost of diabetes, as well as diabetes-related blindness and kidney failures, is being overlooked, health advocates say
Hundreds of Treatment Action Campaign members braved the Joburg cold to camp outside David Makhura’s office on Tuesday night, demanding Charlotte Maxeke Hospital reopens
The TAC wants the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, closed after a fire in April, to reopen fully as soon as possible, because other hospitals are overburdened.
The tumult in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng has forced people to go without chronic medication and check-ups, caused shortages at the blood bank and disruptions in the vaccine roll out
The fact that access to quality healthcare is determined by race, gender, geography and power is proven, as is healthcare’s shameful history of exploitation of those with less power for ‘research’. The future must do better
The University of the Free State’s green project aims to curb environmental impact of concrete by using industrial waste and by-products
Pandemic disrupts the supply of external condoms — and inner ones are unknown and in short supply
People living with HIV in Sierra Leone who use drugs are facing grim challenges during the pandemic
The continental body has thrown its weight behind calls to improve access to Covid-19 vaccines
The first batch of vaccines is almost here, but a top government adviser says achieving herd immunity by the end of the year is ‘unrealistic’
The pandemic has helped to expose the dire state of Sudan’s healthcare system, which lacks both equipment and medical personnel
After missing the global HIV/Aids targets, new benchmarks that put people at the centre, especially those most at risk, need to be set
There are signs that the continent’s population is relaxing risk-reducing measures (masks, physical distancing, washing hands), which could push 40-million people into extreme poverty
A changing climate threatens to undermine the past 50 years of gains in public health
COMMENT: The US’s global gag rule blocks funding to any foreign NGOS that perform abortions, except in very limited cases. The Biden-Harris administration must rescind it
Yvette Raphael describes herself as a ‘professional protester, sjambok feminist and hater of trash’. Government officials would likely refer to her as ‘a rebel’. She’s fought for equality her entire life, she says. And she’s scared of no one
In Uganda 16 women in labour die each day. One woman, backed by a civil society organisation, took the state to court
New research from seven countries in Africa signals the future of HIV prevention — but what can it learn from its past?
As the president extends the state of disaster for another month, other restrictions will be eased, including those on alcohol sales and international travel
In the absence of action from the health department, South Africa’s community health workers are once again having to fight for their rights, with a nationwide strike planned from 9 November.
Researchers have found that, because ambient fine particulate air pollution aggravates comorbidities, it could play a factor in coronavirus fatalities
Development has been set back by two decades, says the Gates Foundation Goalkeepers report
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.
Loneliness can seem like a hopeless hole that increases anxiety, depression, fears or thoughts of suicide
The state is facing a court battle about big industry’s emissions and their link to poor health. This is a public health concern and the government must take action to save lives
The country has experienced violent incidents of unrest in recent weeks
South Africa’s lockdown is not an ‘elimination lockdown’, nor a ‘flatten the curve lockdown’. Instead, our ‘delay lockdown’ has its own set of implications
If the government relaxes its total ban, there’s more chance of people modifying their behaviour, for example, not sharing cigarettes or drinking from the same bottle
Our global health is only as strong as our most vulnerable community. The coronavirus pandemic can be defeated — but only if we leave no one behind