National Research Foundation honours Prof Makgoba

UKZN'S Vice-Chancellor Professor Malegapuru Makgoba has been awarded the prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) President's Lifetime Achiever Award for his 'extraordinary contribution to the development of science...' The award was announced at a special function in Pretoria last night. Read more >>

HIV testing campaign commended

[Francis Hweshe] CAPE TOWN: Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has commended gains made in South Africa's HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign, which has reached close to 15 million people. Read more >>

Afrox addresses healthcare with employees

Gas and welding products supplier, Afrox hosts a monthly wellness day for its employees with a different health-focus each month. The company recently contracted PocketMedia Solutions to produce a credit card-sized Z-CARD to educate its employees about how to manage HIV/Aids. Read more >>

Heart disease, the world's biggest killer - Dr Mungal-Singh

"Heart disease will kill a third of men and a quarter of women in South Africa," says Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "Think about that. Four couples are around a dinner table. At least two people will die from heart disease. Two of your friends. Gone. Heart disease is the world's number one killer and sits at number two in South Africa, second only to HIV/Aids." Read more >>

Promoting heart health in September

It's only recently that we have come to understand, the impact of stress on our bodies, or the physical havoc that emotional trauma can wreak. We're still finding out what price we pay - though we know it's a heavy one - for some of our unnatural everyday lifestyle issues like working night shifts, or spending all day doing computer work. There are aspects of our own bodies that we only vaguely understand, and that's part of what makes us so miraculous. Read more >>

SA challenged during Heart Awareness Month

This September is Heart Awareness Month, with the theme, "One world, one home, one heart, one test". The challenge is on for every South African, regardless of race, age or gender to do just one thing to improve their heart's health. Read more >>

UJ disabled athletes awarded at SA Sports Awards

Assisting athletes with disabilities is reaping rewards for the University of Johannesburg (UJ) after two of the tertiary institution's wheelchair tennis players were recently awarded at the South African Sports Awards at Sun City. Lucas Sithole from Newcastle in Kwazulu-Natal and Kgothatso Montjane from Polokwane in Limpopo, were named respectively Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability. Read more >>

Lord Mayor of London to visit Melomed Bellville

Melomed Hospital Holdings has announced a visit by a UK trade delegation led by the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Bear to Melomed Bellville hospital on 6 September 2011, as part of his annual visit to the African continent. The purpose of this visit is to promote relations between local and international business entities. Read more >>

Scientists develop new technologies for understanding bacterial infections

Understanding how bacteria infect cells is crucial to preventing countless human diseases. In a recent breakthrough, scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered a new approach for studying molecules within their natural environment, opening the door to understanding the complexity of how bacteria infect people. Read more >>

FDA approves first and only therapeutic drug for ALK-positive lung cancer

In a major triumph for personalised medicine, the FDA recently approved the drug crizotinib for use with the lung cancer type known as ALK-positive. Read more >>

Clinical research essential element of healthcare reform

JOHANNESBURG: The shortage of skilled clinical researchers is an important obstacle that will need to be addressed if reform of South Africa's healthcare system is to be sustainable. Read more >>

Medicated patch shows promise in oral cancer prevention

Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Centre have developed a medicated oral patch that allows a chemoprevention drug to release directly into precancerous lesions in the mouth over an extended time. Read more >>

Spec-Savers sponsors Umzi Wethu students

Two students from the Umzi Wethu hospitality training academy in Port Elizabeth can now 'see clearly' thanks to the sponsorship of Spec-Savers. Lifa Tshali and Lerato Tau received their glasses from Spec-Savers Greenacres franchisee, Antonie Wolmarans on Monday, 29 August 2011. Read more >>

Life Healthcare invests in its Orthopaedic Hospital

Life Healthcare, the private hospital group in South Africa, through investment in its Orthopaedic Hospital, has digitalised the entire centre. The hospital, which offers specialised care from 17 in-house doctors, uses a digital platform in a bid to shorten the gap between patient admission and diagnosis. Read more >>

25 000 babies born with FAS annually in SA

Recent research estimated that 25 000 babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) every year in South Africa. This is the highest reported incidence in the world, a shocking figure when considering FAS can be prevented. Read more >>

Aged care facilities need relationships

A La Trobe University study has found that low level aged care facilities need to create environments that are helpful to the establishment and maintenance of constructive staff-family relationships. Read more >>

Insomnia affects 23 percent of US workers

WASHINGTON: Insomnia affects around 23 percent of US workers, and brings a national cost for the sleeping disorder at $63.2 billion, a study showed on Wednesday (31 August 2011). Read more >>

Advice for Spring time headaches

Spring (September to November) is often a particularly miserable time for allergy sufferers. Just as Winter ends and the tree blossoms appear, hay fever headaches and asthma begin to flare up. This is due to pollen which is released by trees, grasses and flowers. Read more >>

Bangladesh busts kidney trafficking gang

DHAKA: Bangladeshi police said on Tuesday (30 August 2011) they had uncovered a major organ trafficking ring that is believed to have persuaded up to 200 people to sell their kidneys for cash. Read more >>

Emergency care personnel, practicing with fraudulent certificates

PRETORIA: According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), thousands of emergency care personnel are practicing with fraudulent certificates and are treating the South African public. Over 400 members have already been de-registered by the Professional Board for Emergency Care, while an additional 1 000 members will be removed from the register later this month. Read more >>