With so much going on in the world many crucial political considerations, debates and decisions - both in the UK and globally - are currently taking place under the radar. A prime example of this is the outright condemnation in the UK House of Lords in July of the UK Government’s total failure to protect rural residents and communities from the cocktails of pesticides … [Read more...]
Protect your lungs this World Tuberculosis Day
Today is World Tuberculosis Day, and the National Council against Smoking (NCAS) is placing the spotlight on the impact of smoking on tuberculosis (TB). TB is the country’s leading cause of death at 8.8% of all deaths, according to Stats SA. TB is passed on from one person to another through the air, usually through coughing or sneezing. It is fully treatable although the … [Read more...]
Activists highlight Safripol’s toxic legacy with protest action
It is high time that Safripol, one of Africa’s top plastic manufacturers, takes full responsibility for its toxic legacy of air pollution in local communities. Yesterday, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and its supporters protested in Cape Town outside the building where KAP Industrial Holdings Limited's annual shareholder meeting is hosted. This … [Read more...]
Your right to choose natural health products is under threat
Be warned …your favourite herbal, homeopathic and nutritional products will soon either be banned or become unaffordable, unless you say ‘NO!‘ This will later expand to include natural skincare products and African Traditional Medicines. The current regulatory regime imposed on traditional & natural health products stems from controversial ‘Complementary Medicine … [Read more...]
Public participation needed for effective environmental governance
“I think we understand why we are all here,” said Janet Munakamwe, Action 24 workshop facilitator, as she held a copy of the Constitution of South Africa in the air. “The key is in the preamble of the Constitution – the first three words are ‘We, the people’,” replied Bongani Dlamini, from Youth@SAIIA. These were the opening remarks of the Action 24 workshop in Gauteng, one … [Read more...]
Help Lucas get a kidney transplant
At 27 my son Lucas was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease (ESKD). This shocking discovery was made in March 2017. Suddenly my boy’s carefree and successful young life completely changed. Without anyone knowing he was most probably suffering from the “silent disease” for many years. It was given this name as there are almost no signs until it’s too late. How could … [Read more...]
South African hospitals join Global Green Health Challenge
Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) - an international network of hospitals, health care facilities, health systems, and health organizations dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting public and environmental health - announced today the launch of the Green Health Challenges, a new initiative calling on its robust network, to increase their … [Read more...]
Gift of the Givers opens second hospital in Syria
The exodus of millions of Syrians seeking refugee status in Europe and elsewhere is indicative of a major catastrophe inside Syria. Gift of the Givers medical teams have been a witness to the pain, suffering, extensive injuries and deaths of thousands of people. Their response was to set up an emergency hospital in Darkoush in January 2013 within 70 days. Here is more news … [Read more...]
Hospitals to recycle high performance PVC
Good news is that the rising costs of healthcare waste management in South Africa and the rest of the world are forcing hospitals and clinics to rethink the way in which they deal with their healthcare waste. The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Delanie Bezuidenhout, is pushing for a paradigm shift by … [Read more...]
Contaminated water ruled out for diarrhea in Durban
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dlomo says contaminated water and infant formula are not the cause of the diarrhea outbreak that resulted in the death of 30 infants at three Durban hospitals. The deaths occurred between May and June and more than 1700 children have since been seen by various medical facilities. About 22 of the deaths were reported at Prince Mshiyeni … [Read more...]
