Standard Bank participates in mass HIV testing campaign

As part of Standard Bank's overall Corporate Health and Wellness strategy, staff has been recruited to take part in a mass HIV testing campaign which will be held from November 2009, culminating in World AIDS Day on 1 December this year. Read more >>

Better HIV reporting in SA media

[Nicky Rehbock] Recent studies of how HIV/Aids is covered in South Africa's print media reveal some encouraging trends, including a shift away from sensationalist writing towards a more human rights-orientated standard of reporting. Read more >>

Nursing scholarships for masters, doctoral students

The Universities of Limpopo (Medunsa campus) and Pretoria have announced new scholarships for masters and doctoral nursing science students for 2010. This follows just a week after they were awarded a joint grant as part of the University-based Nursing Education South Africa (UNEDSA) initiative. Read more >>

National Transplant Day commemorates first heart transplant

On 3 December 1967 Professor Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. 2009 marks the 42nd anniversary of this momentous event, however, despite the tremendous spirit of optimism created by this breakthrough; the majority of South Africans have yet to commit themselves to becoming organ donors. Read more >>

BWA raises funds for vulnerable children

The Businesswomen's Association Western Cape has raised more than R8000 for the Westlake-based charity Orphan Care Foundation in a single sitting. The funds were raised at the organisations annual End of Year Charity Luncheon. Read more >>

Smile Foundation partners with Vodacom

Last week, the Smile Foundation partnered with Vodacom and the Department of Health through the management and medical staff of Tygerberg Hospital, to secure necessary surgery for thirty-three youngsters from the Western Cape. Vodacom also funds the Smile Foundation's psychosocial support programme. Read more >>

Study reveals that ghrelin can increase resistance to Parkinson's disease

Ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach, may be used to boost resistance to, or slow, the development of Parkinson's disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. Read more >>

Beating silicosis

The MHSC Silicosis Awareness Roadshow was launched on 4 November 2009 at the Moab Khotsong mine near Orkney. Supported by the employers, unions and the government, its aim is to control and eradicate silicosis. Read more >>

Journey of Hope seeks 2010 recruits

The third ‘Journey of Hope' Breast Cancer Ride will take place from 16 - 23 October 2010. Breast Cancer Survivors will embark on riding motorcycles for eight days in order to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Read more >>

Yellow fever vaccine push amid shortages, resurgence

The world's first multi-country yellow fever vaccination campaign began on 23 November, with 12 million people targeted across Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Read more >>

Men and women respond differently to emotional stimuli, says new study

Researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study brain activation have found that men and women respond differently to positive and negative stimuli, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Read more >>

Researchers devise new tools for typing cells from children with acute lymphatic leukaemia

Researchers at Uppsala University and University Children's Hospital in Uppsala have devised powerful new tools for typing cells from children with acute lymphatic leukaemia and for prediction of how children with leukaemia will respond to chemotherapy. The study was recently published in electronic form by the prestigious haematological journal Blood. Read more >>

NRT before surgery could halve risks of complications - German Institute Report

The South African Orthopedic Association said yesterday, 24 November 2009, that it supports the international finding on the risks of smoking before and after orthopedic surgery. This comes after the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) found that “people who smoke have a higher rate of complications after surgery, particularly with would healing”(1). Read more >>

Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of stroke, heart disease, death

Study finds inadequate levels of Vitamin D may significantly increase risk of stroke, heart disease and death. Read more >>

Toshiba introduces new Viamo laptop ultrasound system

Many hand-carried ultrasound systems offer better access to patients when space is compromised, but cannot provide all of the advanced radiology capabilities required to perform exams in today's demanding ultrasound environment. Read more >>

Festive season headaches

Dr Elliot Shevel, chairman of the South African Headache Society has maintained that favoured holiday traditions can also bring on an unwelcome threat of headaches and for some, even a debilitating migraine attack. No matter what the type, headaches can be triggered by foods, beverages and other lifestyle factors. Read more >>

Trained parents a boon in handling autistic children

Behaviour problems in children with autism can be reduced with a training program for parents. Read more >>

Pharmacists urged to improve management of medicines

PRETORIA: Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development, Qedani Mahlangu, has ordered pharmacists and clinics to improve the management of medicines. Read more >>

Dumped medical waste could pose health risk

Truckloads of medical waste, including body parts and discarded ‘sharps' - needles and scalpel blades - have allegedly been illegally dumped by one of the country's major waste-disposal companies. Read more >>