[EXCLUSIVE] Little vials, big crime: Criminals primed for onslaught on Africa’s vaccines

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COVID vaccines have become one of the most sought after commodities in the world, but manufacturers simply can’t produce enough jabs for everyone who needs them. Bhekisisa investigates what this means for the emergence of a vaccine black market, as well as vaccine theft and falsification.

Getting COVID after being vaccinated can happen — but it’s rare. Here’s what we...

Vaccines help to reduce the spread of COVID, but they are not without shortcomings. Here’s what they can and can’t do.

Did Trump just hijack the world’s first UN declaration on universal healthcare?

On Monday, world leaders will sign a UN declaration that could have committed the world to provide decent healthcare for all. But instead, activists say, some of the world's biggest health issues sparkle in their absence. Find out what it means for South Africa’s National Health Insurance in the latest in our new series, Compass: Charting a course to the NHI.

‘Tis the season for a new variant: Your introduction to how quickly Omicron is...

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The Omicron variant was identified in South Africa at the end of November and has quickly begun to dominate new infections in the country. Here’s what the data tells us so far about how quickly Omicron spreads — but truly understanding the variant will take more time.
Pravin Gordhan's 'careful control of the wage bill' and expenditure on goods and services will impact negatively on health service delivery

Anger over drug access in TB trial

A new combination treatment has been tested in Southern Africa, but it is not available locally.

For children, COVID-19 quarantine may be ‘an absolute nightmare’

Home is where the heart is — it’s also important to young children’s sense of identity — but what happens when a state quarantine facility has to become their home away from home?
If African countries wanted to rise from low-income to middle-income status

Africa’s growth path: Reduce diseases, Bill Gates cautions

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The philanthropist says the rise of the continent will depend on whether its leaders are open to learning from each other, and from their own people.
A freak wave that hit Durban's beaches in January is still wreaking havoc in the coastal city

Durban cuts city’s only needle exchange programme

A tale of two cities: Durban ditches drug users while Tshwane becomes the first city in SA to pioneer and fund new ways to keep them safe.
The SA government needs to make a back-up plan for spending on HIV/Aids

SA has highest number of new HIV infections worldwide – survey

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With over 400 000 new HIV infections occurring in 2012, South Africa ranks first in HIV incidence in the world, says an HSRC survey.
Former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu still sits on the provincial executive committee.

Hlongwa, Mahlangu remain on high-level ANC body despite ban on public office

Read the ANC Gauteng executive committee statement on embattled former health MECs Brian Hlongwa and Qedani Mahlangu as well as former Emfuleni mayor.
More women than men get tested. According to Sanac this may be because women go for a test when they fall pregnant.

World Aids Day: Less than half of infected people know

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Although 65% of South Africans reportedly have been tested for HIV at least once, annual testing figures are much lower.
Villagers from the village of Ndoromo are seen walking on the edge of the Bire Kpatous game reserve, where efforts are afoot to encourage tourism. (Sam Mednick)

South Sudan turns to tourism in bid to draw line under past unrest

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Travel firms adopt wait-and-see approach as government seeks to entice visitors with safaris, Nile rafting and climbing trips. When Carsten Lillelund Pedersen visited South Sudan in November...
Claims about South Africans’ sugar intake unlikely to be correct

Fact Check: Are South Africans the 8th highest sugar consumers in the world?

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The size of South Africa's super-sized sweet tooth may be over-stated
Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi is said to have weighed up the risks and reportedly supported a second motion of no confidence against Jacob Zuma at the ANC's recent NEC .

How to defy Zuma – and survive to tell the tale

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Analysts say this minister's strong SACP connections and ANC support ensure he’s ‘too powerful politically’ for the president to fire.
The Dapivirine vaginal ring used in an HIV prevention trials.

ARV-infused vaginal ring significantly lowers HIV infections

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Trials have found that vaginal rings containing an antiretroviral drug could more than halve women's chances of contracting HIV if used consistently.
Because of the complexity of the malaria parasite

Innovation and technology will help to wipe out malaria

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With the help of new technologies, global health organisations aim to eliminate malaria in Africa in the next 15 years.