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News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Embarking on a kosher vacation can be a thrilling adventure, especially when considering the unique experience of kosher safaris in Africa. An exceptional array of kosher travel options cater to the needs of kosher travellers seeking adventure, luxury, and spiritual fulfillment. Whether you’re looking for a kosher summer vacation or a getaway any time of …
In today’s economic climate, South Africans are increasingly seeking flexible and accessible financial solutions to meet unexpected expenses or to capitalize on immediate opportunities. One such solution that has gained popularity is securing a loan against one’s car. This financial maneuver can be a strategic move for those in need of quick liquidity without the …
Sports are a popular form of recreation and competition, providing entertainment and physical activity for millions of people around the world. While most sports are generally safe, accidents and injuries can occur, sometimes resulting in tragic outcomes. In this article, we will compare the number of people killed while participating in various sports, including Chess, …
An extensive search operation is ongoing for 6 adult male fishermen, believed to be from Hout Bay and from Hawston, who remain overdue and missing at sea onboard a grey Ballistic 7.8 meter RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) name “Berta Fishing Experience”. The NSRI are appealing to the maritime community to be on the lookout …
A win on Test debut is one thing, and it’s something else to help seal the victory in the last play of the game, but the four Springbok Women debutants in Saturday’s victory over Spain in Villadolid would not change their dramatic entry into international rugby for anything. The Springbok Women won their season-opening Test …
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its sorrow at the passing of former Pakistan cricket chief Shaharyar Khan at the age of 89. Shaharyar was a career diplomat who served as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chair from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2017, also representing the PCB on the ICC …
The South African teams in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship delivered on their desire to return to the field with a bang as all four registered victories on Saturday. As a result, three of them – the Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions – are in the top eight on the log after 12 …
Gary Wolmerans, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said: At 10h38, Sunday, 24 March, NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew were activated following reports of 4 scuba divers missing in the vicinity of Protea Banks, Southern Pinnacle, just over 4 nautical miles off-shore of Margate, KZN South Coast. It appears that during a scuba dive 4 divers, …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the conduct displayed by certain members during the recent meeting of the Select Committee on Basic Education to discuss the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill. As representatives of the DA and advocates for transparent governance, we feel compelled to address the events that transpired …
Dear Editor A study has revealed that the physical, mental, and social well-being of peri-operative practitioners (theatre nurses) specialising in HIV/AIDS care are being compromised by the threat of litigation hanging over their heads and lack of support. The University of South Africa (UNISA) study found that the nurses’ compromised wellbeing led to a vicious …
Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen congratulated his team on their narrow 15-13 win over Spain in their season-opener in Valladolid on Saturday and added that the Test would be remembered for the way in which the South Africans ground out the victory, rather than the spectacular play by the visitors. Jakkie Cilliers succeeded with …
In South Africa, where financial flexibility can sometimes mean the difference between seizing an opportunity and missing out, the option to “pawn my car” presents a viable route for securing short-term financing without selling your vehicle. This approach is particularly attractive for those who need immediate cash but wish to retain ownership of their assets. …
In the evolving landscape of financial solutions within South Africa, the option to “pawn my car and still drive it” emerges as an innovative and highly sought-after avenue for those in need of immediate cash without the inconvenience of losing their mobility. This unique form of loan allows individuals to leverage the value of their …
Fight against TB gets $94 million boost
South Africa’s ongoing efforts to respond to Tuberculosis (TB) have been strengthened with funding of $94 million for the next five years.
“Just over R4 billion was budgeted in the 2024/2025 [financial year], meeting the projected needs for implementing the National Strategic Plan (NSP). Seventy-one percent of the TB budget is from domestic sources, 21% from Global Fund and 8% from United States government commitments,” Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla said on Sunday in Sedibeng.
The Minister was addressing South Africa’s commemorations for World TB Day, which is being observed under the theme: “Yes! You and I Can End TB”.
“We applaud the announcement by National Department of Health and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of the award of the Accelerate Tuberculosis Elimination and Program Resilience Activity (referred to as ACCELERATE) in the amount of $94 million for the next five years.
“As government, we welcome the generous support from Global Fund and the United States government and appreciate their continued support towards HIV, TB and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) response,” Phaahla said.
In addition, the TB Programme of the National Department of Health has developed a comprehensive TB Recovery Plan dashboard, which is used by provinces and districts to monitor the progress of the TB programme.
The department has also developed an HIV and TB dashboard in the Health Information Centre.
“The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Situation Room is a state-of the-art data consolidation and visualisation hub built at the SANAC offices in Pretoria but can be accessed virtually from anywhere in the world.
“There is an enormous quantity of data that is generated in many parts and entities of South Africa. It exists in silos and that fragmentation is due to the lack of a central data repository and management point.
“This has made monitoring and evaluation of the country’s efforts against HIV, TB and STIs rather difficult. These new data visualisation dashboards have been set up precisely to address that challenge,” the Minister said.
Progress in fight against TB
Although South Africa remains among the TB high burden countries, there has been notable progress in the country’s fight against the disease.
“A steady decline has been noted in the number of people diagnosed with TB each year since 2007 where the figure was 644 000 compared to 280 000 in 2022. TB-related deaths are falling, but at a much slower rate,” the Minister said.
At last year’s commemoration South Africa launched the NSP for HIV, TB and STIs for the period 2023 to 2028 with ambitious targets for TB and the other two epidemics.
“The National Department of Health has further developed a TB Strategic Plan, which lifts our very pertinent actions that must be taken to address the TB specific challenges as we go towards the end date. This TB strategic plan is fully aligned with our NSP for HIV, TB and STIs and it will inform the content of the annual TB Recovery Plans for the period 2023 to 2027.
“The successful implementation of the NSP relies on several critical enablers such as the proper implementation of the National TB Recovery Plan, which is one of the tools we have to mitigate against the impact of COVID-19 on the national TB programme.
“We must scale up the implementation, use, and rapid uptake of new tools and innovations – these include GeneXpert; shorter and oral regimens for drug-resistant TB, as well as routine testing of TB contacts and at-risk populations,” the Minister said.
He said the collective counter-response to TB must focus on strengthening early case detection through targeted testing initiatives, particularly among vulnerable populations like men.
“There has been demonstrable will and desire by this government to use all innovations and technology to confront this challenge. As we all know, South Africa has been and remains the world leader in the introduction of new tools to test TB and to treat TB.
“The introduction of the new World Health Organization (WHO) approved Rapid Diagnostic tests for TB has been done as early as 2010. To date we are looking forward to targeted new generation sequencing.
“The introduction of new and repurposed TB drugs has helped significantly improve the proportion of cured drug resistant (DR-TB) patients. We have rolled out shorter regimens with better drugs for the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis, with the notable launch of the bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid-levofloxacin (BPAL-L) programme in September 2023, that has almost 2,000 patients on a six-month DR-TB regimen,” the Minister said.
South Africa has been part of a vaccine development programme, which is conducted by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
“This gives us hope that indeed, we will end TB, by working with all role players, opinion makers, scientists, academics, politicians, and general population,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 03/24/2024 - 15:12
Embassy staff, students confirmed safe after attack in Russia
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed that South African embassy staff and students who are based in Russia are safe following a terrorist attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall.
According to media reports, more than 130 bodies have been recovered from the rubble and more than 100 people were injured on Friday.
“The South African Embassy staff in Moscow, including local recruited personnel, are all accounted for. All South African students that we know of in Moscow are safe. The South African government condemns this attack and all acts of terror.
“Condolences to the families of the victims and we wish the injured a speedy recovery. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates,” the department’s spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a tweet on social media platform X. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 03/24/2024 - 08:36
About 70% of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the African region are now being diagnosed and treated, marking the highest case-detection rate in the region ever, thanks to concerted efforts by countries to address the threat of the disease.
Although the case detection rate has been on the rise since 2018, the region saw a significant increase between 2020 and 2022, rising from 60% to 70% of cases being detected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2023. There has also been a notable reduction in the region in the number of people with TB who miss diagnosis. An estimated 700 000 people missed diagnosis in 2022, a 10% reduction compared with 2021. To further rally efforts to end the disease through concerted global efforts to advance detection, diagnosis and treatment, World TB Day is being marked this year under the theme “Yes! We can end TB”.
In the African region a range of factors have helped boost TB diagnosis rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries-maintained TB notification services, ensuring that cases were detected and treated. In Nigeria, which has a huge TB burden, case notification nearly tripled over the past five years to 285 000 cases in 2022 from 106 000 cases in 2018. Improvement in the management of HIV infection, a significant driver of TB, has also bolstered TB detection rates in the region.
“More efforts are still needed to reduce the devastating impacts of this disease on families and communities. As WHO we continue working closely with governments to address the barriers to effective response and speed up the momentum to make TB history,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
The region, which accounts of 23% of TB cases and 33% of deaths globally, is making steady progress towards ending the disease. For example, Cabo Verde, Eswatini and South Africa have achieved at least a 50% reduction in TB cases. The WHO End TB Strategy calls for countries to reduce TB deaths by 75% and cases by 50% by 2025 compared with the 2015 levels.
Across the region TB deaths fell by 38% and new cases declined by 23% in 2022 compared with 2015. High-burden TB countries have surpassed the 2025 milestone to lower TB deaths.
Despite the progress, further efforts are needed to meet the 2030 global End TB Strategy targets to cut TB deaths by 90% and cases by 80%. These include increased investments in TB control programmes. In 2022, in the African Region, the Global Plan to End TB 2018-2022 estimated that US$ 3.9 billion were required annually to achieve the targets, but only around US$ 890 million were mobilized for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Domestic funding represented about 46% of total funding for TB (54% from international funding) in 2022.
Limited access to health services, inadequate health infrastructure, insufficient quality of care, inadequate human resources for health and inadequate social protection are also impeding progress to ending TB.
Globally TB continues to claim millions of lives annually. In the African region Africa, TB was the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, with nearly 2.5 million people falling ill and 424 000 lives lost in 2022.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
JOHANNESBURG, March 22nd, 2024 – There has been a marked increase in early onset cancer, particularly amongst Millennials. Age-risk factors have lowered from an average age of fifty years, two decades ago, to an alarming and emerging group, twenty-five- to twenty-nine-year-olds, where cancer rates have risen faster than other age groups (1). “While the risk …
In the heart of the Cotswolds, a region renowned for its rolling hills, historic villages, and picturesque landscapes, lies Davenford – a collection of signature properties that epitomize the perfect blend of luxury and tradition. Each property, from Stow Gardens to Cotteswold House and Chestnuts Bed and Breakfast, offers a unique gateway to experiencing the …
Welcome to a world where your windows and glass doors transcend their mere functionality and become canvases for creativity. At Window Art, we understand the desire to transform spaces into reflections of personal or brand identity. With our expertise in vinyl frosting, we offer a solution that goes beyond mere decoration—it’s a statement. Why Vinyl …
Pretoria, South Africa – In the ever-evolving landscape of online marketing, achieving visibility on search engines remains paramount for businesses aiming to thrive in the digital realm. Click Results, a leading digital marketing firm based in Pretoria, South Africa, unveils the cornerstone of effective SEO strategies: keyword research and understanding keyword difficulty. Keyword research, often …
Levy Business Park Lusaka, 10101, Zambia- SPJ Electronics, a leading global retailer of home appliances and electronic items, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest store in South Africa. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey, bringing its extensive range of products to the South African market at unbeatable …
by Elais Monage the President of the Black Business Council Reflecting on the Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference hosted by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) this week one is left with mixed feelings that while the aspirations of the program are noble, not enough is being done to push the boundaries and …
DURBAN, South Africa – The Live One Man Concert is proud to announce that the second installment of the captivating music showcase will honour an icon in the making, a Pioneer and an amapiano music leader, Stanky DeeJay! Also known as the better half of popular amapiano duo, Kweyama Brothers Stankydeejay, born Siza Kweyama, will …
Dear Editor Responding to a question on Wednesday 20 March from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the finance minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed that there is no current plan to fund the unconstitutional National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. The Bill, which awaits the President’s signature, has faced widespread criticism regarding its affordability. Government has already raided the …
