Ivermectin has been touted as the wonder drug solution to the Covid-19 crisis. Several trials have suggested it may have some benefit. But the largest trial yet comparing ivermectin to placebo was published on Friday. It found no statistically significant benefit from ivermectin but possible harm from the drug. Yet even this trial is too […]

South Africa has recorded 12 513 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 2 075 409. “This increase represents a 31.6% positivity rate, which is higher than yesterday (30.2%),” the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Monday. The majority of new cases are from Gauteng (60%), followed by the […]

The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Regional Hospital in Bizana, Eastern Cape is currently the only Covid-19 vaccination site in the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipality. Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Regional Hospital in Bizana, Eastern Cape is the only vaccination site in Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipality. Villagers from Nyavini travel up to 70 kilometres on treacherous roads […]

South Africa recorded 21 584 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). The Gauteng province accounts for the majority of new cases (59%), followed by the Western Cape (11%) and North West (7%) provinces. Gauteng reported 12 806 cases while the Western Cape reported 2 447. This as South Africa battles […]

AfriForum has sent a formal PAIA application to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 (MAC) and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to obtain documents and information from these organisations that relate to their review of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. As much of the country enters a third wave […]

South Africa detected 8 881 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest daily spike since 23 January, when the country recorded 12 271 infections. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the majority of new infections are from Gauteng, which accounts for 58%, followed by the Western Cape with 9%. The latest data show that […]

The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government have worked together to turn the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) into a mass vaccination site… a ‘vaccination centre of hope’. With much of the legwork done and the funding for this important endeavour secured, formal contracts are due to be signed imminently with […]

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he believes at least $30 billion is needed annually for an effective global vaccination plan… and he would like this high on the agenda for next week’s G7 Summit in Cornwall, England, where the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada will be meeting. He’s not the only […]

The Eastern Cape Department of Health says it’s boosting efforts to register people for the Covid-19 vaccine who are homeless and over the age of 60. A few homeless people in Nelson Mandela Bay say health officials have neglected them during the pandemic. The people we spoke to say they either did not have a […]

Tim Noakes has a long history of making misleading and false claims, including promoting the debunked theory that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine contributes to autism and promoting hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19… writes Eduard Grebe. In a recent tweet, he linked to an utterly misleading BizNews article on the recent release of thousands of emails to and from […]

South Africa has recorded 3 755 new COVID-19 infections, as President Cyril Ramaphosa moved the country to lockdown adjusted level two, with effect from Monday. This means South Africa now has 1 662 825 cases of Coronavirus since the first person tested positive in March last year. Meanwhile, 24 more deaths were reported on Sunday, pushing the tally […]

South Africa recorded 4 623 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday as the positivity rate increased to 10.1%. This means the country now has 1 645 555 detected infections since the outbreak. Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said a further 102 Coronavirus-related deaths have been reported, bringing the tally to 56 077. Two provinces recorded double-digit deaths […]

Currently, Covid-19 vaccine sites will only vaccinate if a person has an appointment through the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS). After registering online, one must wait for an SMS with the time and location for vaccination. Walk-ins are not accepted. But on Tuesday, things did not go according to this plan at the Discovery Health […]

A 31-year-old mother of twins, who were joined at the head, is over the moon after her babies were separated at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) in Cape Town, South Africa. “I am overjoyed! I wasn’t expecting to leave here holding my children one in each arm,” said the elated mom, Ntombikayise Tyhalisi. […]

Many South Africans with blood diseases and cancers are dying because they cannot find bone marrow donors. Finding a suitable bone marrow donor is extremely difficult. Hereditary matters in finding a match and donors are usually found within the patient’s population group. But only 30% of donors are people of colour. The South African Bone […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the continent needs to build a vibrant and innovative African medical supplies manufacturing capability that meets the health needs of the Africa’s people. Addressing a conference on Africa’s Vaccine Manufacturing on Monday, the President said throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa has demonstrated that it has substantial capabilities, resources and skills to […]

South Africa has achieved a proud milestone after over 10 million people have been tested for COVID-19 to date, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced. According to the Minister, 24 594 people were tested on Wednesday, which pushes the total number to 10 020 025 since the outbreak. Meanwhile, the country logged 756 new […]

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) says it has registered the COVID-19 Johnson & Johnson vaccine, known as Janssen, with conditions. “This registration signals a significant step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela. According to Dr Semete-Makokotlela, the authorisation is based on acceptable safety, quality and […]

Deputy President and Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council, David Mabuza, will on Wednesday deliver the keynote address at the World TB Day commemoration in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. The event forms part of global World TB Day activities aimed at raising public awareness about tuberculosis and efforts made to prevent and treat the disease. […]

South Africa logged 85 more COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the tally to 52 196 since the outbreak, said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize. Of the latest fatalities, 70 were reportedly from KwaZulu-Natal, seven from the Western Cape, five from Gauteng, two from Free State and one from the Eastern Cape. “We convey our condolences to the […]

At last, a mother has been able to fulfil her long-cherished dream of swimming in the sea with her son, after undergoing a first-for-Africa procedure to relieve the debilitating effects of secondary lymphoedema, which affected one of her legs. And it’s thanks in large part to a couple of incredible female medical experts who travelled […]

Meet some of South Africa’s doctors who have been vaccinated this week, after bravely fighting the coronavirus pandemic on the frontline over the last year, risking their own lives to help save thousands of others. Many are feeling relieved, honoured and hopeful, whilst also sad for those who didn’t make it. Over 52,000 healthcare workers […]

South Africa kick-started its first phase of the vaccination rollout programme using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine a week ago Wednesday. Here the Health Department answers some of the burning questions about who will get it first; why it is a good choice for the country; why pregnant woman cannot get the shot and how […]

Cape Town doctor Dr Aneeka Domingo, who was one of the 23,059 healthcare workers to be vaccinated by Monday evening, says it was an emotional experience that felt like history in the making. She has also shared the symptoms she felt after the vaccination, and how to best prepare yourself. Dr Domingo was vaccinated with […]

There is hope for terminally ill patients as Cancer Immunotherapy living trials are being conducted with South African patients. Watch Carte Blanche on Sunday as the current affairs show meets the inspirational team. INSPIRE    The Living Trials – Cancer Immunotherapy Takes Off  For over 150 years, doctors have tried to stimulate the body’s immune […]