The National Department of Health recently clarified the situation regarding two laboratoryconfirmed cases of cholera in South Africa’s North West province. The confirmation was made on May 30, 2023, by the North West Department of Health. However, following discussions with North West health officials, it was revealed that the confirmed cases were reported under the jurisdiction of Gauteng.
The 76th World Health Assembly is a significant event for the global health community. The Assembly provides member states with an opportunity to come together and discuss healthcare delivery, public health, and the challenges faced by countries worldwide, especially those related to the COVID19 pandemic.
On May 17th, World Hypertension Day and during May 15th to 21st, Salt Awareness Week, the Department of Health along with its stakeholders come together to address the concerning issue of hypertension or high blood pressure and the harmful practice of excessive salt consumption. Hypertension has been dubbed the “silent killer” due to the lack of symptoms in most cases, making regular health screenings vital.
South Africa is currently facing an unexpected outbreak of mumps, a viral infection that primarily affects children between the ages of five and nine. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed the outbreak, which has highlighted the need for improved disease surveillance and access to vaccinations.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), South Africa is currently experiencing a mumps outbreak which has raised concerns. The infection is caused by the rubavirus and is most commonly found in children between the ages of 5 and 9; however, it can infect individuals of all ages. The symptoms of mumps include painful swelling of the salivary glands, which can occur on one or both sides of the face.
In April 2021, the Gauteng High Court in South Africa ruled that free public health services must be provided to pregnant women and children under six years old, regardless of nationality or documentation status. The ruling resulted from a case brought by SECTION27, a public interest law center, on behalf of women who were denied access to care. However, many immigrant women, especially those from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, still struggle to register for prenatal care.
The South African government has been concerned about the possession and trade of illegal cigarettes and prohibited medication for a long time. Recently, the government has taken proactive measures to crack down on this illicit trade. The Johannesburg arrests serve as an example of the efforts made to combat the illegal trade of these products.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the 2nd Presidential Health Summit at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Gauteng, reflecting on the Presidential Health Compact signed four years ago. The summit brought together stakeholders from various sectors to develop short and longterm solutions to challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare system.
World Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated annually on May 5th to raise awareness of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections and diseases. This year’s theme emphasizes the need to reduce the spread of infection and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings.
