PRB engage journos in IDEA Project

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] US based Population Reference Bureau (PRB) continues to engage the Malawi media in a project called Informing Decision makers to Act (IDEA), in an attempt to help journalists take part through media activities to help change Malawi's population projections which is set to hit 60 million people by 2050, if the current trend continues unabated. Read more >>

Gauteng pays more money to health service providers

The Gauteng Department of Health says R250 million will be paid to health service providers by Friday, 8 June. Read more >>

Scientists identify mechanisms in aspirin that help protect against cancer

Recent clinical studies have indicated that long-term usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of various cancers - some up to 30%. New findings, published on 31 May 2012 in Current Biology, provides fresh evidence into their protective properties. Read more >>

Trial of experimental drug combination for advanced stomach, oesophageal cancer launches

Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office (DDO) has joined forces with academia and industry to open a clinical trial that will test an experimental drug from AstraZeneca called AZD4547 in combination with standard chemotherapy to treat a group of patients with advanced stomach or oesophageal cancer. Read more >>

UK study into whether physical activity aids depression finds no additional benefit

Current clinical guidance recommends physical activity to alleviate the symptoms of depression¹. However, new research published on 6 June 2012 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), suggests that adding a physical activity intervention to usual care did not reduce symptoms of depression more than usual care alone, even though it increased levels of physical activity. Read more >>

Cornell research may hold key to multiple sclerosis treatment

ITHACA, NEW YORK: A receptor recently discovered to control the movement of immune cells across the blood-brain barrier may hold the key to treating multiple sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Read more >>

KZN tackles maternal deaths

In an effort to reduce maternal deaths and strengthen mother and child health in KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial Health Department is developing centres of excellence for mother and child services. Read more >>

Oncology nurses - unsung heroes

With cancer survivors and their families celebrating hope and life on International Cancer Survivors Day, 3 June, Be Cancer Aware (BCA) decided to take the opportunity to focus on the support cancer patients receive during and after their treatment. One of the biggest support systems comes from oncology nurses. Read more >>

Ancient berry could fight diabetic blindness

The ancient Tibetan goji berry could help fight blindness caused by long-term diabetes according to studies conducted by University of Sydney researchers. Read more >>

Discovery warns industry on biologic drug costs

Growing demand for expensive biologic drugs - highly specialised drugs used for chronic conditions - is sharply pushing up the medicines bill at SA's biggest medical scheme, Discovery Health, the company warned yesterday, 4 June 2012. Read more >>

Doctors called to help in public clinics

[Gabi Khumalo] Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has made an earnest appeal to private doctors to offer four hours of their services to public clinics in a bid to ease congestion at these facilities. Read more >>

Pricing Commission to be set up

[Gabi Khumalo] A Pricing Commission is to be established to address the commercialisation of the health sector, says Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. Read more >>

Limpopo making progress - National Treasury

Limpopo's liquidity and solvency challenge has been solved and payments to suppliers have begun returning to normal, while a number of provincial departments that were last year placed under administration have been able to reduce overspending, the National Treasury told Parliament on Wednesday. Read more >>

New breakthrough in wound dressing

South African pharmaceutical company, Cipla Medpro, in conjunction with the Microbiology Department at the University of Stellenbosch, has announced the development of what is being touted as a breakthrough in wound dressing. Read more >>

Construction of TB wards to be accelerated

The Gauteng Department of Health is expected to speed up the construction of a new multi-drug resistant TB complex at Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital. Read more >>