| | | Medical goes to market |  The medical industry in South Africa alone is worth a healthy 120 billion rand a year – difficult to say how much it is worth across the rest of the continent. For all its woes, Africa is full of growing economies. The drive is apparent all around us. Just around the corner from me we have a car wash company – set up by two guys from DRC – both with university degrees – now employing locals. Is the medical industry experiencing the same expansion? Some would have you believe not - the pharmaceutical sector are feeling the effects of over-regulation and our health professionals are still leaving the country in droves.
But is this an indication of depression or a harbinger of dire things to come? I think not – big pharma are having to change their direction anyway. There are only so many drugs that can be developed for the same old ailments – and research areas must change. Our health professionals are being replaced by others from different countries – bringing a fresh approach – and some do come back. I did! And we have great initiatives like the Pan African Health Congress – in its second year – after an incredibly successful congress in 2006. This is the premier business to business environment for medicine in Africa – in their words – “facilitating the trade and transfer of world-class products, technologies and solutions in a developing world environment.” Be there!
Dr Bridget Farham, editor: www.bizcommunity.com.
| | Headlines | Trying to plug South Africa's brain drain
Big Tobacco's troubles spread to Africa
Warning on chikungunya virus
The Pan African Health Congress 2007: Will you be there?
Dengue epidemic in Cambodia
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| | PAN African Health Congress | | | Pan African Health Congress 2007
www.panafricanhealth.com
18 - 19 September 2007
Sandton Convention Centre | |  |
| | | The Pan African Health Congress 2007: Will you be there? - ITP Communications
The 3rd annual Pan African Health Congress is touted as the premier platform for business-to-business networking for Africa's healthcare industry, and it takes place from 18 to 19 September at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
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Medical | | Emergency help for Ethiopian flood victims as death toll rises
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is to launch an emergency effort to help thousands of people displaced by heavy rains and flash floods across Sudan that have left 30 dead and scores injured.
Swaziland's stretched health system leaves home care as only alternative
Facilities and staff are being stretched beyond capacity as Swaziland's public healthcare system buckles under a surge of HIV/AIDS patients, leaving many with home-based care (HBC) as the only alternative, says a new report.
Breakthough in understanding of how mutations occur in genes
For the first time, it can now be shown what enzyme copies the genetic make-up of cells.
Flying into danger
Four hours in economy class doubles the risk for deep vein thrombosis.
Pill Could Help Smokers, Heavy Drinkers Cut Back
Researchers have discovered that a drug called "varenicline" could help curb the urges to both smoke and drink.
Trying to plug South Africa's brain drain
A groundbreaking move by South Africa's health department could see nurses being paid at least 20 percent more, becoming the first beneficiaries of a plan to attract more healthcare students and keep homegrown skills home with higher salaries.
Africa has a dire lack of health workers
It is estimated Africa needs three times the number of health workers it actually has right now.
Colorectal cancer trial investigates sequential versus combination chemotherapy
A Dutch phase III randomised controlled trial involving 820 patients has been done to investigate sequential versus combination chemotherapy with capecitabine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin in advanced colorectal cancer (CAIRO).
Big Tobacco's troubles spread to Africa
Can't find new smokers in the West? Why not try kids in Africa!
Industry news: Medical industry fields finalists in businesswoman of the year - Britespark Communications
Netcare's Group Pharmacy Director, Ingrid Davis, and Occupational Health South Africa (OCSA) CEO, Agatha Pretorius have been named as two of the five finalists for this year's prestigious Businesswoman of The Year Awards.
Industry news: Indoor media promoting Cipla Medpro - Claire Dowdle: Owlhurst Communications
Tactical washroom advertising showcases Cipla's consumer and prescription medicines in Netcare Hospitals.
Industry news: UCT boosts Cape hospitals efficiency - Michael Morgan
The UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) is partnering with GF Jooste Hospital (GFH) in Mannenberg to run a course on which managers can learn how to best implement Lean efficiency tools while simultaneously helping the hospital to become more efficient and reduce costs.
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Chronic diseases | | FDA OKs Patch to Treat Alzheimer's Dementia
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first skin patch to be used to treat the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The drug in the patch, Exelon, can sometimes cause gastrointestinal side effects when swallowed as a pill.
Gene discovered for type 1 diabetes in children
PHILADELPHIA, USA - Pediatrics researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and McGill University in Montreal have identified a gene variant that raises a child's risk for type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes. As investigators continue to pinpoint genes contributing to diabetes, they have their eyes on providing a scientific basis for designing better treatments and preventive measures for the disease.
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HIV/AIDS | | Strangely, war brings ‘benefits' in HIV fight
War brings horrors, but in sub-Saharan Africa, war and forced displacement have reduced the transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
Malawi wants sexually active citizens to take HIV test
Malawi's government is calling on every sexually active Malawian to take an HIV test. Health officials estimate that only 15 per cent of those eligible have had an HIV test and know their status. Around 14 per cent of the population is believed to be HIV-positive. Malawi's president Bingu wa Mutharika has made the fight against HIV and Aids one of his country's highest priorities.
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Infectious diseases | | Warning on chikungunya virus
Fever, arthritis, and other symptoms occurring in people to who have recently travelled to islands in the Indian Ocean may signal infection with an imported virus called "chikungunya," reports a study in the May/June issue of the journal Medicine, published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
Dengue epidemic in Cambodia
Cambodia is facing an epidemic of dengue, says Zosia Kmietowicz, writing in the British Medical Journal.
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| | Quotes | | | "He's the best physician that knows the worthlessness of the most medicines." - Benjamin Franklin | | More... Submit a Quote | | |
| | News for medical professionals | | Diaphragms no more effective than condoms at preventing HIV transmission
| Single-agent Stutent effective in kidney cancer
| Treatment failure and drug resistance not associated with rapid death in Cote d'Ivoire
| Reducing the risk of diabetes with anti-arthritis drug
| New class of HIV drug
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