Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020
1 to 31 October
The incidence of breast cancer among South African women is increasing and it is one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa. It is the most prevalent cancer amongst white and Asian women and the second most common cancer among black and coloured women.
Facts about breast cancer:
- Early detection of the condition can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages.
- Regular self-breast examination and regular mammograms are key to early detection.
- Presenting yourself early for treatment may result in more effective treatment, leading to a reduction in pain and suffering and a significant decrease in the loss of life.
The designation of October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in South Africa reflects a nationwide drive by public and private healthcare structures to raise awareness of this debilitating disease across all races and class structures.
View original post @ Gov.za
Eye Care Awareness Month 2020
- vision loss
- altered eye movements
- eye pain
- visual field loss
- bulging eye.
View original post @ Gov.za
World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day 2020
09 September
World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day is commemorated each year at nine minutes past nine on the ninth day of the ninth month to draw attention to the fact that women should not drink alcohol while pregnant.
The alcohol the mother drinks enters the unborn baby’s bloodstream causing damage to the foetus. Such damage is permanent and irreversible. FAS children will have physical and intellectual problems.
Basic health messages:
- Stop drinking alcohol if you are thinking of falling pregnant.
- Stop drinking alcohol if you are pregnant.
- If you cannot stop, drink less and seek professional help.
- Whatever the mother drinks so does the unborn baby.
- Alcohol harms unborn babies who will need special care all their lives because they could suffer from physical defects, abnormal facial anomalies and be mentally challenged.
- Babies will not develop Foetal Alcohol Syndrome if the mother does not drink alcohol.
- If you drink alcohol do not fall pregnant. Use contraceptives correctly.
View original post @ Gov.za
Heart Awareness Month 2020
1 to 30 September
September is Heart Awareness Month – an entire month dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular disease in South Africa, culminating with World Heart Day on 29 September.
The 2019 theme is ‘My Heart, Your Heart and the hearts of all South Africans.’
Much has changed in the world of health in the last few decades, from a time when doctors would recommend smoking certain brands of cigarettes, to today when preventative care is fast becoming a way of life for many people. Yet despite this, the rate of cardiovascular disease in South Africa continues to rise and is a leading cause of death in the country.
You can do much to keep your heart healthy. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and be aware of the risk factors such as smoking, drinking, taking drugs, high blood pressure, high cholestrol, obesity and stress.
View original post @ Gov.za
National Oral Health Month 2020
September is National Oral Health Month – time to pay extra attention to your dental routine, particularly as two of the world’s most common health problems affect the mouth – cavities (dental caries) and gum disease.
Gum disease ranks second only to the common cold in terms of prevalence, with an estimated 90% of South Africans experiencing the problem at some point.
It really is in your best interest to practice good oral hygiene. Not only does it ensure a beautiful smile, but it is good for your health – gum disease has been linked to coronary heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and diabetes. And new research also shows that women with gum disease find it harder to conceive.
View original post @ Gov.za
African Traditional Medicine Day 2020
Commemoration of the African Traditional Medicine Day coincides with the date, 31 August 2000, on which the ministers of health adopted the relevant resolution at the 50th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Traditional African medicine is a holistic discipline involving the use of indigenous herbalism combined with aspects of African spirituality.
About 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. In some cases traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent. In this case the significant contribution of traditional medicine as a major provider of healthcare services in Africa cannot be underestimated.
The National Department of Health recognises that there is an entrenched historical bias towards Western/allopathic healthcare that has a long history.
The Government has committed itself to the involvement of traditional healers in official healthcare services. This includes the several types of traditional healthcare practitioners who can be broadly categorised as diviners, herbalists, faith healers and traditional birth attendants. These practitioners are separated by the methods that they use to diagnose and treat their patients. They also employ a number of different traditional formularies.
Traditional health practitioners (THPs) and traditional medicine are critical components of the healthcare discipline for millions of our people, especially in the rural areas. It is through regulated practice that a meaningful contribution of the THPs in Primary Healthcare activities would be enhanced and facilitated.
The Department of Health has taken steps towards the official recognition and institutionalisation of African traditional medicine by establishing a directorate of Traditional Medicine within the National Department of Health as well as enacting the Traditional Health Practitioners Act, 2007 (Act No 22 of 2007) which established the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council.
View original post @ Gov.za
World Hepatitis Day 2020
World Hepatitis Day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. It provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions such as:
- strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases
- increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunisation programmes
- coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk.
Hepatitis A kills around 1.45 million people every year.
An estimated 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen-positive for at least 6 months).
About 2 million hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections occur yearly through unsafe injections.
Mental Health Awareness Month 2020
Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and job stress are common, affecting individuals, their families and co-workers, and the broader community. In addition, they have a direct impact on workplaces through increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased costs. Very few South Africans seek treatment for their mental disorders. Mental illness can be treated at your nearest clinic, hospital or healthcare provider.
Mental health problems are the result of a complex interplay between biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that both the content and context of work can play a role in the development of mental health problems in the workplace.
Key factors include:
- workload (both excessive and insufficient work)
- lack of participation and control in the workplace
- monotonous or unpleasant tasks
- role ambiguity or conflict
- lack of recognition at work
- inequity
- poor interpersonal relationships
- poor working conditions
- poor leadership and communication
- conflicting home and work demands.
Whilst the workplace can contribute positively to a person’s mental health, it may also exacerbate an existing problem, or may contribute to the development of a mental health problem. Employers should put in place programmes to promote the mental health of workers, and to ensure that mental health problems are recognised early and treated effectively.
- Transient (like an acute stress disorder)
- Periodic (like bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated elation followed by periods of depression)
- Long-lasting and progressive (like Alzheimer’s disease)
- Schizophrenia
- Dementia
- Depressive disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post traumatic stress disorder
View original post @ Gov.za
Safety strategy billed to boost tourist numbers
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has noted with concern the report on the decline in the number of tourists visiting South Africa.
The figures released in Tourism and Migration September 2019 by Statistics SA revealed that the total number of tourist arrivals (7 562 743) went down by -2.1% (-164 989) for the period January to September 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 (7 727 732).
“The major impact on the numbers has been the concerns around the safety and security of tourists in our country. We will at the beginning of December, jointly with our stakeholders, announce our Tourism Safety Strategy and the implementation plans as a response to the concerns raised by our key markets,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.
The decline was mostly influenced by a decrease in arrivals from Australasia and Europe, with a decrease of 5% and 3.9% respectively.
“Although international tourism numbers declined from January to September 2019 compared with the previous year, we are pleased that tourist arrivals from the Middle East went up by 4.2% followed by Asia (1.3%), Central and South America (0.3%) and North America (0.2%). It is a good indicator that more focused and aggressive marketing strategies in these regions will yield positive results,” Kubayi-Ngubane said.
The Minister has led delegations to various markets such as China, Japan and is currently visiting Ghana and Nigeria with the aim of increasing the numbers of tourist arrivals.
“We are committed to reach the target of 21 million arrivals by 2030 and we are working with all the stakeholders in the sector to make this a reality. We realise as we work towards this target, we might experience some fluctuations but we will ensure that the overall trajectory remains positive,” Kubayi-Ngubane said.
The Minister said more work is being done in South Africa to engage various stakeholders such airlines to have joint marketing strategies to boost numbers.
View original post @ SANews.gov.za
Committee resolves not to restore Adv Jiba to office
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has resolved not to restore Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba and Advocate Lawrence Mrwebi to office.
The committee recommended on Wednesday that the National Assembly resolve not to restore Advocate Jiba to the office of the Deputy National Director of Prosecutions and Advocate Mrwebi to the office of the Special Director of Public Prosecutions.
Committee Chairperson, Bulelani Magwanishe, said in respect of Advocate Jiba and Advocate Mrwebi, the committee found no reason to restore them to their office.
Magwanishe said the committee found that President Cyril Ramaphosa complied with the provisions of section 12(6)(a) and (b) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act.
In addition, the process the President followed in reaching his decision was fair and he applied his mind properly to the matter.
“The committee noted that the President’s letter of 25 April 2019, which made it clear that his decision was based on the findings of the Mokgoro Enquiry and that these findings, based on the evidence before the enquiry, are of an extremely serious nature.
“Further, the President writes that he considered their advocates’ representations to him, however, he did not find that they had raised ‘any response or reason not to accept the panel’s conclusion’,” said Magwanishe.
The committee is also of the view that the representations placed before it by Advocate Mrwebi do not raise any reason for it to find that President Ramaphosa did not apply his mind properly to the matter before him.
He said the committee is also of the view that the documents and representations before it, do not present any reason for it to find that the process followed was unfair.
“According to the Act, Parliament’s role in this process is that, within 30 days of the message referred to by the President being tabled in Parliament or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible, it must pass a resolution on whether or not to recommend the restoration to office of the National Director or Deputy National Director so removed.
“The Act further states that the President shall restore the National Director or Deputy National Director to his or her office if Parliament so resolves,” Magwanishe explained.
He said the committee has done due diligence in this matter and both Advocates were given an opportunity to make representations to the committee.
“Advocate Mrwebi took the opportunity [and] Advocate Jiba turned to the courts to stop our process. After the courts rejected her application, she informed the committee that she will not continue with the process, as she wants to move on with her life.
“The committee did everything in its power to afford all parties a fair opportunity to state their case. Based on the process we followed and reports and representations considered, we are of the view that neither should be restored to office,” Magwanishe said.
View original post @ SANews.gov.za