Govt to launch child abuse council: Xingwana

Speaking at the National Children's Day celebrations last Saturday, Women, Children and People with Disabilities Minister, Lulu Xingwana announced that the Government is to launch a National Council that will focus on child abuse. 11 Nov 2011 09:14

Recycle a polycarbonate baby bottle, save a life

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is calling on all South Africans to join them in their BPA Baby Bottle Exchange & Recycling Project. The new law just passed by the government stops the importation, distribution and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles containing BPA with immediate effect, but this still leaves millions of BPA baby bottles in circulation used by mothers unaware of the health risks. 10 Nov 2011 10:13

US doctors discourage videos for babies under two

WASHINGTON, USA: Like 90% of American parents, Matthew Sullivan allows his infant daughter and five-year-old son to watch television, videos and sometimes web-streamed content on his smartphone. 25 Oct 2011 10:28

It's raining nappies in October and November with Nappy Run!

South Africans are all too familiar with the concept of charitable fundraising events in aid of countless worthy causes. However a national campaign to receive donations of nappies is a first for the country. This new initiative was launched on 5 October as the first of an annual national campaign under the banner of "Nappy Run" and will run until 5 November. 20 Oct 2011 12:42

Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital introduces Saturday Surgery Initiative

The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and the Children's Hospital Trust have partnered with Mediclinic Southern Africa to fund the first ever 'Saturday Surgeries' initiative at the Hospital to alleviate extensive waiting lists for life changing surgical procedures. The Saturday Surgeries project will take place from 22 October to 10 December 2011 and Mediclinic Southern Africa will fund this R265 000 project. 20 Oct 2011 09:01

Orbis, KZN health department to open Paediatric Eye Care Centre

All eyes are on Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban for the official opening of the new Paediatric Eye Care Centre thanks to a three-year partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Health and international sight-saving organisation Orbis. 18 Oct 2011 16:36

Sprinkles multivitamin contains essential micronutrients

A Sprinkles multivitamin formulation designed to give children a daily dose of essential micronutrients was recently launched. The Sprinkles formulation was developed by professor of Nutritional Science and Paediatrics at the University of Toronto, Stanley Zlotkin. 14 Oct 2011 09:17

Scientists demonstrate potential new treatment for most common form of infant leukaemia

A team lead by Cancer Research UK scientists have shown that a potential new drug could treat mixed-lineage leukaemia (MLL), the most common form of leukaemia in babies, according to a study published in Nature on Sunday, 2 October 2011. 6 Oct 2011 09:40

R198m boost for maternal, child health care

PRETORIA: The South African Ministry of Health has secured an additional R198 million from the Department for International Development (DFID) in the UK to help the country strengthen maternal and child health service delivery. 22 Sep 2011 09:50

Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital opens upgraded Burns Unit

Paediatric burns treatment has been given a boost thanks to a R13 million ward upgrade at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. The ward is the only specialised paediatric burns unit in Africa. The modernised unit was officially opened on September 15. 15 Sep 2011 12:18

50-hour youth sports challenge is fact finding as well as fun

Over 3000 schoolchildren from disadvantaged Western Cape communities will be doing more than keeping a ball in motion at the sixth annual Kellogg's Health of the Nation 50-Hour Sports Challenge, taking place at the Western Province Cricket Club in Newlands from Friday 16 (1.30pm) until Sunday 18 September (4pm). 13 Sep 2011 10:10

Kids to meet Mr Molar

As part of the activities to raise public understanding of oral health matters during National Oral Health Month - which was launched early last week - the South African Dental Association (SADA) will be hosting a "BrushAlong" for 1001 of the city's vulnerable children at the Johannesburg Zoo, on Saturday 17 September 2011 between 9:30 and 12 noon. 13 Sep 2011 09:58

Study: Vitamin A supplements could save the lives of 600 000 infants a year

An international study suggests that giving vitamin A supplements to children in low and middle income countries could significantly cut rates of mortality, illnesses and blindness amongst those below the age of five. 12 Sep 2011 12:18

70% of 8-month-olds consume too much salt

70% of 8-month-old babies have a salt (sodium chloride) intake higher than the recommended UK maximum level, due to being fed salty and processed foods like yeast extract, gravy, baked beans and tinned spaghetti. 12 Sep 2011 12:08