FOCUS: THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Doctors' careers destroyed for 'stealing' broken chairs
August 21st, 2019 Western Cape Health, despite an acute and growing short of anaesthetists, has jeopardised the careers of three doctors with pristine academic and work records, because they “stole” two broken chairs to fix for the Tygerberg Hospital doctors' tea...
SCA displeasure over 'pervasively substandard' care in state hospitals
August 21st, 2019 Despite a split decision dismissing an appeal regarding damages for a baby who suffered brain damage during birth, in an unusual move, five judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal have asked Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize to intervene and...
NHI Bill continues to spark furious debate
August 21st, 2019 The battle lines are drawn between the naysayers and supporters of National Health Insurance after the Bill was introduced to Parliament over a week ago, writes MedicalBrief. Expert opinion on the NHI Bill before Parliament is divided between...WEEKLY ROUNDUP
Cost of training of doctors in Cuba double that of training in SA
Jack Bloom, Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng shadow health MEC writes in a report on the Politicsweb site. The annual cost of training South... August 21st, 2019Exodus of people qualified to perform abortion services in SA
Lack of support for termination of pregnancy (TOP) service providers in the public health sector has led to an exodus of qualified people who can... August 21st, 2019HRC to investigate Limpopo's delay in suspending 'rude' nurse
The SA Human Rights Council (SAHRC) has announced that it is to investigate complaints that a nurse who had insulted a patient in February was only... August 21st, 2019Approval given to Roche's personalised cancer treatment
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Roche Holding AG’s personalised cancer treatment, which targets tumours with specific genetic... August 21st, 2019Pietermaritzburg hospital faces claims of poor treatment
Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is under scrutiny following cases of alleged staff negligence reported to KwaZulu-Natal Health, reports... August 21st, 2019Despite FDA warnings, bleach promoted as 'miracle' cancer cure in the US
Advocates of a “medicine” called MMS are gathering in a hotel in upstate New York to promote what they claim to be a miracle cure for cancer that... August 21st, 2019Breastfeeding rates in SA increased but still short of global targets
While exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of a baby’s life has steadily increased in South Africa over the past decade, the country... August 21st, 2019'Growing numbers' of SA women blame implants for depression and fatigue
A Johannesburg woman who always wanted fuller breasts had silicone implants when she was 25 to give her the 34C bust she desired. According to a... August 21st, 2019Drug-related deaths reach record numbers in the England and Wales
Drug deaths rose sharply in England and Wales to reach record numbers last year, BBC News reports official figures show. There were 2,917 deaths from... August 21st, 2019UK community nurses leaving their 'stressful and heavy workload' jobs
Morale among community nurses in the UK is low and many are leaving the service due to stress and an increased workload. According to The Guardian, a... August 21st, 2019CARDIOLOGY
Omega-3 medication reduces triglyceride levels up to 30%
Prescription omega-3 fatty acid medication reduces triglyceride levels by 20-30% among the majority of people who require treatment for high... August 21st, 2019CARDIOVASCULAR
Insomnia potentially increases CVD and stroke risk
People suffering from insomnia are potentially at a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke, according to a study. In this... August 21st, 2019ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Significant link between environmental pollution and neuro-psychiatric disorders
A study led by University of Chicago researchers suggests a significant link between exposure to environmental pollution and an increase in the... August 21st, 2019HIV/AIDS
Age-related policies and laws limit PrEP access where its needed the most
Access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for young people at risk of HIV remains limited because of age-related consent laws and policies, reveals a... August 21st, 2019Continued surveillance needed to improve ART safety for pregnant women
Despite prospective cohort trials not producing evidence of an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) with dolutegravir (DTG), elvitegravir and... August 21st, 2019NEUROLOGY
Three or more caffeinated drinks could trigger migraines
A study by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health...
August 21st, 2019
NUTRITION
Red meat may increase breast cancer risk but chicken decrease it
Results from a study by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina and the Columbia Mailman School of... August 21st, 2019PSYCHOLOGY
Veterinarians have up to 3.5 higher risk of suicide — US study
While it might sound like fun to work around pets every day, veterinarians and people who volunteer at animal shelters face particular stressors that...
August 21st, 2019
SLEEP MEDICINE
Traits that define device treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea
Certain traits may define a type of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) that can be effectively treated with an oral appliance, rather than continuous... August 21st, 2019SURGERY
Major surgery increases odds of decline in brain functioning
Major surgery is associated with small, long term decline in brain functioning. On average, this was equivalent to less than five months of brain...
August 21st, 2019