World Health Organization

Aims to support countries in developing national drug policies, to work towards the rational use of drugs.

Health-e is a news agency dedicated to producing news and analysis for the print and electronic media regarding regarding health policy and practice in South Africa. Our particular focus is to report on health issues affecting the poor and disadvantaged, and the implications of different health policies for our society as a whole.

Various resources and data about the global fight against tobacco use.

Recent substantial increases in international attention to health have been accompanied by demands for statistics that accurately track health progress and performance, evaluate the impact of health programs and policies, and increase accountability at country and global levels. The use of results-based financing mechanisms by major global donors has created further demand for timely and reliable data for decision-making. In addition, there is increasing country demand for data in the context of health sector strategic plans, including in countries that have established International Health Partnership (IHP+) compacts.

Rarely in South Africa can a minister have come to power carrying such a weight of expectation as Barbara Hogan. Her first major public speech at the Aids Vaccine Conference in Cape Town in October was greeted with enthusiasm, and even international delegates speculated about the bright future that seems to lie ahead at last for South African healthcare. Her speech was reminiscent of one of those games where one has to bash crocodiles on the head as they pop up apparently randomly through holes in the floor. Politely, and without naming names, Hogan took a baseball bat and bashed all the major crocodiles on the head: Matthias Rath and his vitamins, for instance. Most of all she asserted the fact that HIV causes Aids.

The Department of Health has dismissed a Sunday newspaper report suggesting that the HIV and AIDS projects funded by the Global Fund face the danger of collapse as a result of the department's incompetence. The projects in issue are funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Health Systems Trust publishes its
13th edition of the South African Health Review
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN SOUTH AFRICA: A REVIEW OF 30 YEARS SINCE ALMA ATA

Some thirty-five civil society organizations have voiced serious concerns over the World Health Organization's publications policy, arguing that the proposed policy, if implemented, will result in a tendency towards self-censorship by the WHO and its staff and HQ offices, to the detriment of the needs and interests of public health, especially in developing countries. They are also very concerned that this policy will hamper timely advice and support by WHO HQ and regional offices to member states over important issues such as application of intellectual property rights and the use of TRIPS flexibilities, other trade and health matters, reproductive health care and other critical issues.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has called on the continent's health industry to improve access to affordable medicine. Access to healthcare is a constitutional right for all citizens of this continent.