If the vaginal ring becomes available for commercial use it will become one of the tools in the HIV prevention toolbox for women alongside female condoms and daily pre-exposure prophylaxis.
People who have rheumatoid arthritis often suffer from depression as well. For poor people this is often worse because they cut off their social networks.
In a bid to improve health care in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has made several promises in the last three years. Some have materialised faster than others.
Anglo American’s plans to reduce its operations will have an impact on the provision of health services to miners.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
The closure of several mines in South Africa and production cuts could have a detrimental impact on the health of miners who rely on in-house HIV and TB treatment programmes.
An international study has dismissed the effectiveness of a homeopathic flu remedy but it is still being advertised in South Africa as a viable solution.
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When men deny the paternity of children, many South African women feel like they have no recourse. Making DNA tests affordable and accessible could change this.
A nurse weighs a baby at a clinic in Johannesburg. South Africa has released its policy document to implement its universal health coverage plan.
Reuters/Antony Kaminju
South Africa’s plan for universal health coverage has taken another crucial step with the introduction of a new policy document aimed at delivering more equitable healthcare.
The successful prevention of mother to child transmission programmes means nearly all HIV-infected pregnant women should get anti-retroviral treatment to protect their babies.
Joshua Wanyama/Africa Knows
South Africa’s programmes preventing HIV transmission from mothers to children have been hugely successful. But there are still gaps that need to be filled.
A woman prepares ribbons ahead of World Aids Day.
Reuters/Antony Njuguna
Women who were found to have lied in a clinical trial testing anti-HIV drugs were heavily criticised. But there are several factors that drove them to lie.
HIV services are not geared towards men even though they make up two-thirds of the HIV-related deaths globally.
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Although men make up two-thirds of HIV-related deaths, there are not enough services geared towards helping them.
A child from a special care centre in Cape Town celebrating international kite day. In South Africa mental health services are not a priority.
Epa/Nic Bothma
While the global health community has made mental healthcare a priority, South Africa is not following suite. The impact is felt most acutely by poor people suffering from mental health disorders.
South Africans need to reduce the number of sugar-sweetened beverages they consume.
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With one can of cool drink containing six teaspoons of sugar – your recommended sugar intake for the day – there is a need to reduce the number of sugar-sweetened beverages South Africans consume.
In most African countries, there is no oversight body for the pharmaceutical marketplace.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
Africa’s pharmaceutical industry has mushroomed in the last ten years. But its ability to keep pace with demand is being held back by a number of factors, including a shortage of specialists.
Ejuba, the drone that was used to research the effectiveness of the cargo-carrying drones, is now being used to transport medical supplies.
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Drones could provide an essential cargo-carrying service in rural areas where there are fewer clinics, less healthcare workers and limited transport services.
Although health care has become more accessible and affordable, quality at the facilities is still a problem.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
To address corruption in the South African health sector, a combination of political will with an effective government, citizen involvement and advocacy is needed.
Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand
Senior Researcher, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, PRICELESS SA, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand