COVID-19 treatments: Beware the hype

Researchers warn against “miracle cures” promoted through the politicization of the global COVID-19 outbreak. The success of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases has given us hope that COVID-19 could be controlled or even eliminated. Despite scientists working around the clock, there is still no safe and effective vaccine, nor is it expected that there will be one soon. With cases in South...
read more

Come on kids, let’s defeat the coronavirus

A book for children that will help them to understand and deal with COVID-19 has been written. Children around the world are affected by COVID-19. They have been sent home from school and are expected to keep their distance from their friends and extended family. Children need to live holistic, healthy lives with appropriate social and educational development. COVID-19 has caused much anxiety...
read more

QI Mentorship for frontline TB & HIV health professionals

A QI model could help HIV and TB caregivers find creative ways to solve challenges using existing resources. Healthcare workers in public health facilities are inundated with high HIV and TB patient numbers, lack of adequate infrastructure and limited resources. Yet, increasing demands are placed on them to deliver high-quality services and meet ambitious targets for identifying HIV and TB...
read more

Taking care of community carers

Community health workers need to be given the care and support they deserve. Community health workers are often the front line of the healthcare system. In KwaZulu-Natal, these teams are mostly made up of women drawn from the local community and play a significant role in bridging the gap between communities and government departments and sectors. They require various types of support to equip...
read more

The Green Whistle: A Breath of Fresh Air in Burn Dressing Pain Management

More than one and a half million South African’s get burnt each year. Over 161 children are severely burned each month. Burns can happen to anyone and do not discriminate. All patients with burns experience pain during their treatment and recovery. Dressing changes are unavoidable in burns and they can be excruciating if done without adequate pain relief. Pain management plays an essential role...
read more

Knowledge is power – decisions about healthcare and vaccines

Being forewarned is being forearmed, especially where health, life and death are concerned. The world is on edge, waiting for the first COVID-19 vaccine to be developed and made available. For many, a vaccine is a safety barrier against the coronavirus. However, individuals who remain reluctant to get vaccinated pose a serious threat to the uptake of vaccines. Anti-vaccination movements are...
read more