Making the national alcohol policy alive: The role of the private sector
Zambia is among the few countries that have successfully developed a National Alcohol Policy (NAP) through an inclusive multisectoral process involving the public and the private sectors and the civil society. This strategy ensures that the human-centred approach becomes the overarching response strategy in responding…
Health epidemics on the rise in Africa
Rising incidents of health epidemics in Africa is mostly to do with poor governance, systemic corruption and lack of inclusive development of countries, provinces and municipalities. Early in August, the Democratic Republic of Congo announced a new outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, just weeks…
I cry in airplanes
Over the course of 10 years and 2 relationships I have found myself crying in airplanes more often than what I assume is the norm. As I write this I am in fact on a domestic flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Eight years ago…
Depression in the workplace
The recent tragic passing of Prof. Bongani Mayosi, known to have suffered from depression, has mobilised a renewed awareness of the significance and potentially devastating effects of depression in the workplace. In terms of prevalence, depression is the “common flu” of mental illness of our…
Breastfeeding – a human right
There is a saying that, while exclusive breastfeeding may not seem to be the preferred choice for some mothers, it is certainly the best choice for every baby as the milk is nutritionally balanced, delicious and not easily contaminated. As the marks breastfeeding week from…
Bongani Mayosi’s suicide: the latest marker of an intractable public health crisis
The suicide death of Professor Bongani Mayosi on July 27 – cardiologist, researcher and dean of the health sciences faculty at the University of Cape Town – was not simply a tragedy in the academia. It was the latest marker of an intractable South African…
Making an informed decision when using Cannabis
There are certain expectations every individual has when visiting their doctor. The first expectation is for a diagnosis to be made, and the second of course is for the most suitable form of treatment to be prescribed. A decision regarding any treatment has to consider…
The relationship between the public and private health sectors
The recent publication of the National Health Insurance Bill, the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill, and the Provisional Report of the Health Market Inquiry, has reignited the debate about the structural deficiencies in the national health system, and thrown a new spotlight on the relationship between…
Smoking, anti-smoking policies and the impact it all has on health
More than twenty years ago when South Africa first introduced designated smoking areas in restaurants and bars, there was vehement opposition from some sections of the hospitality industry. They argued that restaurants would lose significant revenue and even close down, jobs would be lost and…
Belt tightening practices could wreck long term health
Belt tightening has become common practice for anxious South African consumers who have, again, been accosted with warnings of steep food price increases. The situation is grim for homes but the bigger threat of food insecurity is lurking in the shadows. When responding to food…
Own Your Brilliance beyond a 9-to-5
Due to the growing global economy and the digital age, the way we think about using our talents has begun to shift our career paths away from the conventional 9-to-5 jobs. The most brilliant thought leaders and entrepreneurial minds today are now forging their own…
Why are some employees unhappy and dishonest?
One procurement officer from Gauteng was found to be buying incredible amounts of toilet paper with company money, most of which she was selling on. She did so for months before anyone noticed. Clearly, there was a serious lack of effective controls in place. Opportunity also played…
Mangena’s Toons
