1. Preferences for mobile HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery among young men with alcohol use in rural South Africa: A discrete choice experimentBackground: Young men who use alcohol have an elevated risk for HIV in South Africa but have low engagement with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Objectives: We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to explore preferences for mobile…
  2. Barriers and facilitators to implementation of Universal Test and Treat in iLembe District, KwaZulu-Natal province: A qualitative study of healthcare workers’ perspectivesBackground: South Africa adopted the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy in 2016 to accelerate progress towards achieving the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90–90–90 targets, which were later revised to UNAIDS…
  3. Operation 3i’ s Advancing Pharmaceutical Services innovate, integrate, improve: Call for AbstractThe healthcare landscape is undergoing great transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving healthcare policies, and the increasing need for integrated, patient-centred pharmaceutical services. This landscape brings…
  4. Influenza vaccination: a practical update for pharmacistsWorldwide, seasonal influenza epidemics and sporadic influenza pandemics result in high morbidity and mortality rates. The immunocompromised, individuals with chronic health conditions, older adults, infants and pregnant women are most at…
  5. Diabetes managementDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterised by persistent hyperglycaemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. The major clinical types include type 1 diabetes…
  6. Lessons from 13 years of diabetesLiving with diabetes can make it hard to take a step back and look at the journey so far. Nikita Sweeney took some time to reflect on 13 years of managing diabetes, what she’s learnt and what her hopes are for the future. What do you wish…
  7. How to read a food labelDo you know how to read a food label? If you’re living with diabetes – Type 1 or Type 2 – it’s important to know what kind of food you’re eating. We’ve made it as easy as possible! As part of our collaboration with Healthy Jozi , we were…
  8. The reality of kidney transplants in South AfricaThe process to get a transplant of any kind is quite a complicated process, which is unsurprising! One community member shared her story of life after a kidney and pancreas transplant , but she was one of the lucky ones. Keep reading to…
  9. Emotional Disconnection, Substance Use, and Rebuilding Healthy Coping SkillsEmotional disconnection is often subtle and gradual. Many people don’t realize they are emotionally detached until it starts affecting their relationships or daily functioning. It can feel like a persistent distance between one’s inner…
  10. Implementing mobile health applications in disaster zones: A systematic literature reviewBackground: Mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as powerful tools in healthcare delivery, particularly in disaster zones where infrastructure is compromised and conventional health systems are disrupted. Their ability to…
  11. Appendix Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding a Rare Cancer Through ResearchAugust is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month , providing an opportunity to raise awareness of a rare and often poorly understood cancer while highlighting the importance of continued research. Appendix cancer, also known as appendiceal…
  12. Trump administration delays Medicaid work requirements by six monthsThe Trump administration announced a six-month delay Friday in enforcing the Medicaid work requirements that were scheduled to take effect in January. Why it matters: The announcement pauses a set of rules that state officials have warned…
  13. Braces and orthodontics: What medical aid actually covers in South AfricaBraces and orthodontics: What medical aid actually covers in South Africa Home 07 October 2026 Benefits Explained Live Smart Braces can be a major family expense, and the words dental cover do not always mean the full treatment will be…
  14. Women’s Day discussion unpacks the realities of healthcare access for rural womenAs women across South Africa marked National Women’s Day, health advocates protecting the rights of rural women added their voices to the mix, highlighting the […] The post Women’s Day discussion unpacks the realities of healthcare access…
  15. Gallery | Who Pays for Health? #WCPH2026This session explored how health taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks can help countries mobilise domestic resources for primary health care while also reducing […] The post Gallery | Who Pays for Health? #WCPH2026 appeared first on…
  16. Why Most Probiotics Fail: Gut Health & Your Second BrainWhy Most Probiotics Fail: Gut Health & Your Second Brain Did you know your gut is often called your “Second Brain”? From your mood and mental clarity to your immune system’s strength, it all starts in your microbiome. In this episode, we…
  17. Birth is a Life Event, Not a Disease: Navigating Choice and Complexity with Lilo MthembuBirth is a Life Event, Not a Disease: Navigating Choice and Complexity with Lilo Mthembu In this episode, I sat down with Lilo Mthembu, a private midwife based in Johannesburg who views her role in birth work as a true ministry. Lilo…
  18. Trusting the Model: How Midwife-Led Care Transformed Gabriella Szabo’s Birth StoryTrusting the Model: How Midwife-Led Care Transformed Gabriella Szabo’s Birth Story What happens when your dream of a ‘natural birth’ turns into a whirlwind of medical interventions? In this episode, we sit down with Gabriella…
  19. A cry for human helpContent warning: This article contains references to suicide, self-harm, and mental health crises. If you are struggling, please contact SADAG on 0800 456 789 (24 hours). You do not need to be in crisis to call. Most people who turn to AI…
  20. The unspoken allure of period boobs - And why men can’t stop talking about themBreasts can feel fuller, heavier and more tender before a period because of normal hormonal changes. Read the full article
  21. Busamed Gateway Private HospitalBusamed Gateway Private Hospital continues to strengthen its position as a leading multidisciplinary private hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, underpinned by significant investment in infrastructure, capacity, specialist services and advanced…
  22. Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Weight GainAffinity Health , a leading provider of high-quality health cover, says concerns about weight gain should not prevent women from discussing the birth control pill with a healthcare professional. Many women blame the pill when the number on…
  23. IUDs Benefits, Side Effects, And What To ExpectAffinity Health , a leading provider of high-quality health cover, says an intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most effective forms of contraception, working for years with very little daily effort. An IUD, also known as an…
  24. What a Breast Self-Exam Actually Looks LikeBreast Cancer Awareness Month is here, and there is no better time to talk about one of the simplest, most personal checks you can do for your own health. A breast self-exam does not need special equipment or a medical degree. All it needs…
  25. SANBS warns of critical blood shortage as stocks fall to 2.4 daysSANBS says blood reserves have fallen critically low and is urging eligible South Africans to donate across all blood groups. Read the full article
  26. The occurrence of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder among women in Johannesburg metropolitan clinicsBackground: Childbirth has been associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women, affecting mother–child bonding, foetal growth, cognitive development and marital relationships. However, there is a dearth of literature on…
  27. A case report: Neuropsychiatric presentation of atypical Rasmussen’s encephalitisIntroduction: Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) is a rare, progressive inflammatory neurological disorder characterized by treatment-resistant epilepsy, progressive hemiplegia, and cognitive decline. Although its pathogenesis remains…
  28. The impact of a brief psychoeducational intervention on hospital security personnel’s attitudes towards aggression and violence management at Cecilia Makiwane HospitalBackground: Aggression and violence remain persistent challenges in healthcare settings, particularly in psychiatric and emergency units. Security personnel serve as frontline responders but frequently lack structured training in…
  29. The ‘dusk deficit’: How artificial light may be disrupting travellers’ sleepAs peak holiday travel approaches, sleep experts are highlighting how artificial lighting in airports, aircraft and hotels may disrupt the body's natural s…
  30. One operating theatre, a global audience: Prof Heine van der Walt showcases South African skillVeteran laparoscopic surgeon Prof Heine van der Walt demonstrated minimally invasive surgical techniques to an international audience at the 37th Congress…
  31. Diabetes remains South Africa’s leading cause of natural death for third consecutive yearNearly 29 000 South Africans died from diabetes-related complications in 2024, prompting a University of Pretoria (UP) public health expert to call for urg…
  32. How to keep CoVID-19 anxiety at bayHow to keep CoVID-19 anxiety at bay In a recent TED-talk, American psychologist, Dr Guy Winch said the key to managing anxiety, lies in taking action. By acting to restore the very feelings that anxiety seeks to diminish, we can shut off…
  33. Why must chlorine be removed from drinking water before ingestion?What is chlorine? Chlorine is a chemical element with symbol Cl. It is a poisonous pale-green gas and is one of the halogens found in group seven in the Periodic Table. It was discovered in 1774 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele…
  34. TB killed 53 000 people in SA in 2025, finds WHOThe number of people falling ill with TB in South Africa is declining year-on-year, but the number of deaths due to the disease remains stubbornly high. Marcus Low reports on the latest statistics. The post TB killed 53 000 people in SA in…