The Vaal River is in a terrible condition, with pollution and raw sewage causing people to get sick and fish to die, residents are urging the government to take action. With so many people potentially affected, the question remains – do people really know what’s in the river? According to the group Save the Vaal,..
Continue reading…
Raw sewage openly flows into Vaal River
Posted on Leave a comment
ANC have a habit of electing terrible people – Tshwane ANC chair facing “abuse” scandal
Posted on Leave a comment
The Tshwane ANC is now also facing questions over who it elected to the role of chairperson. Somewhat unsurprisingly (in terms of ANC members) the chair is now facing more than one serious accusation. ANC Tshwane regional chairperson Kgosi Maepa has been accused of swearing at and threatening violence against his own ANC comrade, Simphiwe..
Continue reading…
US scientists successfully change embryo DNA
Posted on Leave a comment
A team of US researchers has changed the DNA of single-cell embryos using gene-editing technique CRISPR, according to a report from MIT Technology Review.
This is the first known attempt at creating genetically-modified human embryos in the US.
None of the embryos were allowed to develop beyond a few days, but the scientists have demonstrated it is possible to safely correct defective genes using germline engineering.
Human embryos allowed to develop following this process would also pass on gene corrections to their offspring.
Germline engineering has the potential to eradicate genetic diseases and create “designer babies” with genetic enhancements.
______________________________
Free Medical-Aid, Hospital and Funeral Plan and Insurance Quotes at www.MedSure.co.za
______________________________
Continue reading…
3D printing disruption, medical implant sector ripe
Posted on Leave a comment
Medical technology which is often expensive at the time of market entry becomes cheaper over time. But 3D printing in medicine has started to revolutionise the field, especially with its rapidly declining costs and increased accessibility of the technology.
It is the technology that makes it more cost-effective. Although considerably costlier than existing implant solutions, the precision of end-product is what ensures the success of the 3D-printed medical devices. Because its designed from the thoroughly analysed digital model, 3D implants leave no room for error as compared to the traditional techniques which usually require additional processing adding waste and extraction costs.
With enhanced precision, 3D printed orthopedic and dental implants, including those that are difficult-to-treat have witnessed an impressive success rate in the past half of the decade. In line with this, a Fact.MR market study has estimated sales of medical implant segment to reach o
Continue reading…
Eerste tenders vir omstrede nasionale gesondheidsversekering uitgereik
Posted on Leave a comment
Die eerste tenders vir die omstrede nasionale gesondheidsversekering (NGV) is uitgereik.
Die departement van gesondheid soek voorstelle van die private sektor oor hoe om vyf programme – sommiges wat tans katastrofies deur staatshospitale behartig word – reg te ruk.
Net drie van die land se grootste administrateurs van mediese fondse het opgedaag vir die inligtingsessie om sake te gesels, verneem Rapport.
Kundiges het in reaksie gesê dié NGV-planne lyk glad nie soos die ideologiese prentjie van ’n funksionerende geïntegreerde gesondheidsdiens vir almal nie, maar is eerder ’n uitkontraktering van bestaande pligte van die staat teen bykomende koste.
Die regering soek private maatskappy om onder meer die volgende te doen:
* Bestralingsdienste vir kankerpasiënte: Luiden
Continue reading…
So world here is our beloved country…a rainbow nation in despair!
Posted on Leave a comment
Dear World. This is South Africa. A beautiful place where firestations, schools, buildings, vehicles and busses are set a light. Where service delivery is poor because of a lack of proper knowledge. Where our government is corrupt and pushes taxes up so we pay the money which was stolen by our president. The only country..
Continue reading…
Train burning saga – is there more that meets the eye?
Posted on Leave a comment
I knew that this whole “Train Arson” thing was serious but I honestly did not know exactly how serious until I read an article by iOl News. After pondering over it a bit I came to the realization that everyone knows THAT it is happening but NO-ONE KNOWS WHY !!! This whole “Train Burning” phenomina..
Continue reading…
How will private healthcare evolve under Universal Health Coverage (UHC)?
Posted on Leave a comment
With National Health Insurance, the Competition Commission investigation and sky-rocketing costs, it’s no wonder that the private healthcare sector (and the public sector for that matter) is a tad wary about what the future holds.
However, in which ever way, shape or form it manifests itself, universal health coverage (UHC) is inevitable. It forms part of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. “To promote physical and mental health and well-being and to extend life expectancy for all, we must achieve universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare. No one must be left behind. This places UHC as the target that underpins and is key to achievement of other Goal 3 targets.”
Set of goals
According to Dr Rufaro Chatora, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative says UHC provides a set of goals rather than tell us how to organise a health system. “This is logical as each country faces different challenges
Continue reading…
Syndicates and devious health professionals may target National Health Insurance
Posted on Leave a comment
Criminal networks are targeting your medical aid rands but could you be part of the problem too?
Criminal syndicates and unscrupulous doctors may be defrauding the private health sector of millions as experts warn that medical schemes may reach a breaking point.
“The health care sector is being targeted by criminal syndicates and even devious practitioners. It is a direct threat to the financial viability of medical schemes in the country, including any National Health Insurance initiative we attempt,” says medical advisor on healthcare forensics at medical aid administrator and risk management service, Medscheme Gregory Pratt. Pratt was speaking at the Board of Healthcare Funders Southern African Conference this week in Cape Town.
“The affordability of medical schemes in the country will soon reach a tipping point.”
In 2013 alone, Discovery Health recovered R300 million in fraudulent claims alone – a number that in 2014 CEO Jonathan Broomberg told
Continue reading…
Valsartan, cardiovascular medication recalled in SA
Posted on Leave a comment
Certain medicines containing the active pharmaceutical ingredient, valsartan, have been recalled by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) due to an impurity that was found at one of the manufacturing facilities in China that produces the molecule.
The molecule was recalled across several international markets including the USA and Europe as many originator and generic suppliers source valsartan from the same manufacturer.
The presence of the impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), could be linked to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured, but a thorough investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause. The NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (carcinogen is any substance that when exposed to living tissue may cause the production of causing cancer) based on the results from laboratory tests, Sahpra said.
It stated that it will continue to investigate and assess whether the impurity may p
Continue reading…
The big question:- Why South Africa needs to discipline the private healthcare industry
Posted on Leave a comment
If a service is provided by a company rather than government, this does not automatically mean a market is at work. The point is fairly obvious but has passed many in South Africa by.
Private provision of services is moving into the spotlight in South Africa as the government looks to make the health system more accessible to the poor. One aspect is the Health Market Inquiry, established by the Competition Commission and chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo. It recently released a provisional report recommending more regulation of private healthcare. It has invited comment on its ideas.
It is absolutely inevitable that whatever proposals it comes up with will be attacked as an assault on the free market in health care. This will ignore the reality – that there is no market in healthcare in South Africa, at least not one which works in the way in which markets are meant to work.
Looking for a affordable Medical Aid or Hospital PlanContinue reading…
Shortage of pathologists an inconvenience to families
Posted on Leave a comment
Post-mortems are mandatory to determine the cause of death. The shortage of pathologists in the country has left several distraught families stranded. The situation has resulted in the delay of conducting post-mortems. Grieving families are forced to wait much longer before burying their loved ones. One family had to have a funeral service without the..
Continue reading…
16 Foods That Boost Your Immune System
Posted on Leave a comment
Elderberry
It’s an old folk remedy. This fruit is loaded with nutrients called antioxidants, and it may help fight inflammation. In some lab studies, an extract from the berries appears to block flu viruses. But scientists caution that more study is needed. You definitely still need to get a yearly flu vaccination!
Button Mushrooms
They give you the mineral selenium and the B vitamins riboflavin and niacin. That helps you in several ways. If you’re low on selenium, you may be more likely to get a more severe flu. Riboflavin and niacin play a role in a healthy immune system.
Acai Berry
Its dark color is a sign that it’s got plenty of nutrients called anthocyanins.
There isn’t any research that shows acai is good for any specific condition. But in general, antioxidants from foods are a key part of a healthy lifestyle.
Enjoy these berries in juice or smoothies, or try them dried and mixed with granola.
OystersContinue reading…
NHI financing model questioned by FMF
Posted on Leave a comment
The latest iteration of the National Health Insurance (NHI) policy paper is no closer to defining how much the scheme will cost and where the money will come from to pay for it.
Meanwhile, SA risks running out of tax payers to finance its social security commitments, said Dr Johann Serfontein, senior healthcare consultant with HealthMan and Jasson Urbach, director & head of the Free Market Foundation’s Health Policy Unit.
The NHI scheme is based on a government administered, centrally controlled, single-payer model. Healthcare decisions will be determined by government from the cradle to the grave. NHI will reduce the number of available services, mean fewer healthcare providers and patients will face long waiting lists. NHI concentrates power in the hands of government and requires it to act as both player and referee, leaving no room for the private sector. Under NHI, whether directly or indirectly, government will control the availability, financing and
Continue reading…
Pharma’s role in the government’s National Health Insurance
Posted on Leave a comment
In its current form, the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) is by no means perfect and there remains a lot of uncertainty around funding, medical skills shortages, the role medical aids will play and how infrastructural problems, wastage and corruption in the public sector will be tackled.
“Healthcare reform challenges all of us that operate in the sector to keep and expand our place at the table. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that NHI is here to stay, which makes it imperative for pharmaceutical companies to get involved in the debate at the highest level in order to help shape a sustainable and effective healthcare system for South Africa,” says Erik Roos, CEO of Pharma Dynamics…
Continue reading…