Education

Community Partnerships may be the solution to effective TB control in high burden countries with less than optimal Primary Health Care Programs

Address at the Second Joint Sitting of the Third Democratic Parliament Cape Town

More than 1 200 KwaZulu-Natal medical doctors have joined hands for an ambitious programme aiming to control the escalating cost of healthcare delivery.

The government employs about 1.1 million people, 400 000 of whom are not covered by medical aid. The implementation of a single medical scheme for government employees is expected to provide the medical scheme sector with significant cost savings and a rise in new members.

More and more employers in developing countries are welcoming workplace HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives. While most focus on HIV prevention education and condom promotion, some larger employers have expanded their programmes to include voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), care and treatment. Yet stigma and discrimination often present major challenges to the successful implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS programmes. Employees may experience HIV-related stigma from their colleagues and supervisors, and may be fired due to real or perceived HIV status. A fear of negative reactions may discourage workers from undergoing VCT as an entry point to further HIV/AIDS services. Hence, managers and staff of workplace programmes need a better understanding of workers' perceptions and experiences related to stigma and discrimination to develop appropriate responses.

Police reported this week that they were achieving success in combating most crimes, but not rape.

Educators feel condom distribution will undermine abstinence messages.

RURAL HEALTH POLICY DEBATE

The Health Department has been involved in 32 court cases over the past five years. Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang confirmed this yesterday.