South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The South African Constitution provides that children have the right to healthcare, as well as all other rights. Furthermore, in all matters affecting them, their best interests must be 'of paramount importance'. ⋯ It can be argued instead that the burden has shifted to the parents to apply to court for an order to overrule the decision of doctors, by proving to the court that alternative choices are available. Guidance is given for situations, particularly in the public sector, where alternative choices are not available.
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The compounds present in cannabis have been in use for both recreational and medicinal purposes for many centuries. Changes in the legislation in South Africa have led to an increase in the number of people interested in using these compounds for self-medication. ⋯ Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main compounds in cannabis plants, and there is evidence that it can successfully treat certain patients with epilepsy. This review looks at the most recent evidence on the use of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy and explores the mechanisms behind these beneficial effects.
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The Competition Commission's Health Market Inquiry (HMI) is the most systematic and comprehensive investigation carried out into the South African private health sector. The recommendations as set out in the HMI Final Report merit extensive discussion and debate, as they could - if implemented - have far-reaching consequences for the future of the healthcare system. The objective of this article is to contribute to this discussion by providing an overview of the key findings and recommendations of the HMI and highlighting the resultant key imperatives at this critical juncture of policy development.
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in South Africa (SA) is incompletely characterised and understood. Epidemiological and clinical data will better inform our understanding and assist national policy decision-making. Against the background of more than two decades of clinical challenges in HCV management, the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) now makes HCV elimination plausible. ⋯ HCV patients in the Peg-IFN/RBV management era typified the epidemiology of HCV. GT distribution was pangenotypic, and treatment outcomes were encouraging despite treatment challenges. Patient selection, IL28B and sensible support of cytopenias probably accounted for these favourable outcomes. However, numbers treated were limited, and the DAA era of therapy allows for rapid expansion of therapy with now growing numbers of patients and a changing local epidemiology.