Educationists from almost 20 countries, mostly from across Africa, came together in the Primafamed Conference in Pretoria, to deliberate on the development of research in primary care. There will be two days of deliberation to explore how family medicine departments from across Africa may collaborate in strengthening research in primary care in Africa. Poster presentations showed some interesting challenges and some amazing achievements.
Ms Shehnaz Munshi, occupational therapist and researcher, presented thoughts on the allied healthcare workers in community-oriented primary care, as a model of service under national health insurance. This was at the 17th Family Physicians Congress in Pretoria. She spoke of interprofessional education and service development as a key path to improving the implementation of COPC. Her presentation is here: SANFP_AHP in IPC_Shehnaz Munshi_22-06-14_IPECP_Final. A colleague: Mr Stephen Pentz, also presented on Ethical challenges with CHWs in the PHC Outreach Team. See here: SANFP_Ethics in PHC_Stephen Pentz_22-06-14
MOST CEOs have the first few months to settle in gradually. But not Sandile Mfenyana, CEO of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Southern Africa’s largest hospital. The facility has regularly been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. If it’s not the generators failing to kick in after a power cut, it is patients left unattended or linen and food going missing…..more
Have a look at this amateur video to show you what is happening in developing community oriented primary care in Soweto, South Africa
Professor Jannie Hugo spoke in plenary at the 17th National Family Practitioners Conference in Pretoria, South Africa. He used the analogy of a soccer game and emphasised that we move away from just defending ourselves from goals by the enemy of disease but to play an attacking game by empowering our centre-forwards, community health workers, to get out into community and scoring goals of prevention. He stressed community oriented primary care (COPC) as the ideal model for delivery of primary care in the era of national health insurance in South Africa.
Young family doctors from across South Africa spent a day at the Pre-Conference of the SA Academy of Family Physicians and formed the South African chapter of Afriwon – the organisation of young family doctors in Africa linked to Wonca Africa. There was palpable excitement as representatives of each university were elected to serve in the interim committee to set up the new organisation. Professor Jannie Hugo, Conference Convenor, appealed to young doctors to advocate for better health for the people of South Africa, and not just focus on narrow interests.
Ivory Park’s Operation Thiba Nyaope provides support for addicts and their affected families…..more
Vital changes need to be made in healthcare to give patients better value for their money…..more
Maria Phalime was passionate about being a doctor, but quit because of the pressures of the job….more
More than half of Brazil’s population has African roots, and the state has now approved a law creating 20% quotas for black people in government jobs…..more
The online encyclopedia will serve as a repository for the continent’s rich traditions, crafts and culture…..more
Nearly all African leaders who are beneficiaries of dynasty politics have been educated abroad…..more
Former president Nelson Mandela’s assistant Zelda La Grange has detailed incidents in which family in-fighting has left Graca Machel sidelined…..more
Ken Hall has developed a “candle without a flame” that reduces shack fires and cuts carbon dioxide emissions from paraffin lamps and candles…..more
The Joburg Ballet Development Programme, headed by Fiona Brown, is making girls’ dreams come true in Soweto…..more
Every now and again I try to use this column for the greater good of mankind. Like Superman, Batman and Catwoman (okay maybe she’s not such a good example), I take my civil duties quite seriously…..more
The effectiveness of Africa’s major geopolitical organisations continues to be called into question…..more
Sensational new details have emerged about vicious squabbles during former president Nelson Mandela’s last months alive…more
A team of researchers at the University of Wollongong in Australia are using a material called hydrogel to create a condom that could enhance sexual pleasure……more
AfroPHC 