Health
Insurance shock for parents of disabled Khayelitsha teenager
The parents of disabled Khayelitsha teenager Siphokazi Rululu took out an insurance policy in May last year to cover funeral expenses if they lost their daughter. When Siphokazi died last week, her mother Nomveliso Rululu was horrified to find that the insurance company would pay out R2,000 instead of the R12,000 they had been expecting.
Siyavuya Khaya
News | 17 November 2015
Government job freeze alarms health professionals
No vacant posts in Eastern Cape public hospitals and clinics are to be filled until December, according to a departmental circular. The Rural Health Advocacy Project fears that if such measures continue it could have “catastrophic consequences for health care”, especially in the rural areas.
Ashleigh Furlong
News | 9 November 2015
SA vaccines get a shot in the arm
The $20-million partnership between pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and South Africa's Biovac Institute was “the beginning of the establishment of vaccine manufacturing capabilities on the continent”, science and technology minister Naledi Pandor told GroundUp.
Sarah Wild
News | 4 November 2015
Essential TB medicine: is it back in stock?
On 5 October, GroundUp reported that the pharmaceutical company Sandoz had stopped supplying an essential medicine for treating tuberculosis (TB) to South Africa.
GroundUp Staff
Brief | 2 November 2015
Tense wait for silicosis decision
Mineworkers with silicosis and TB will have to wait a while to find out whether they can be represented as a class in legal action for damages against the gold mines which employed them.
Pete Lewis
News | 26 October 2015
Silicosis case: mines are being obstructive, say miners’ lawyers
If the court did not decide in favour of the gold miners in the silicosis case, hundreds of thousands of sick miners and their families would not be heard, advocates for the mineworkers told the Gauteng High Court yesterday.
Pete Lewis
News | 23 October 2015
Silicosis: Anglo American plays the race card
Attempts by lawyers for mining giant Anglo American to play the race card in the silicosis case were rebuffed by the South Gauteng High Court yesterday.
Pete Lewis
News | 22 October 2015
Why #ThePriceOfBreadMustFall matters
Amidst the #FeesMustFall protests, a second #MustFall has emerged and has largely fallen under the radar: #ThePriceOfBreadMustFall. On Tuesday, a group of activists occupied the Shoprite in Khayelitsha Mall demanding lower food prices generally, and bread prices in particular.
Jane Battersby-Lennard
Analysis | 22 October 2015
Mines not liable for TB, silicosis hearing told
Mines cannot be held liable for TB, advocates for the gold mines told the South Gauteng High Court yesterday.
Pete Lewis
News | 20 October 2015