South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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In South Africa (SA), malaria is endemic in three of nine provinces - KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. During 2010 - 2014, SA reported that ~47.6% of all malaria cases were imported. Contemporary estimates for the prevalence of malaria in the five districts of Limpopo Province are limited, with unknown proportions of imported malaria cases. We estimated the prevalence of malaria, and the proportion of imported malaria cases in the five districts of Limpopo, from January 2015 to December 2017. ⋯ These findings highlight the significant burden of imported malaria in Limpopo Province. There is a need for strengthened surveillance and control programmes in neighboring countries (such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana) to reduce the importation and spread of malaria in this region.
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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease with an Africa-wide prevalence of 1.7%. CE is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, with the liver being the most commonly affected organ. In South Africa (SA), there is a paucity of data on liver CE demographics and management. ⋯ In our setting, liver CE contributes to a significant local burden of the disease. The disease often has a nonspecific clinical presentation, necessitating imaging for the diagnosis. We observed good short-term outcomes in patients managed with combined partial cystectomy and medical therapy, although there is a risk of perioperative bile leak.
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Although leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, has been eliminated (<1 case per 10 000 population) in South Africa (SA) since 1926, according to the World Health Organization, new cases continue to be reported. The management of leprosy poses several challenges, including patient adherence, education and insufficient training of healthcare practitioners. ⋯ These findings emphasise the urgent need for enhanced patient and healthcare worker education, particularly in primary healthcare settings, to improve adherence to treatment, advocate for prophylactic measures and prevent new cases. Achieving leprosy-free status in SA requires the collaboration of many role-players to address these challenges and improve healthcare practices.
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In September 2015, South Africa (SA) and 192 countries adopted Agenda 2030, which included the Sustainable Development Goals. With a mere 6 years to go before 2030, it is useful to understand what progress SA is making towards their attainment. ⋯ The maternal mortality ratio that countries are expected to reach is no more than 70 deaths per 100 000 live births. A range of sources is used to show progress, with an emphasis on the reports of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal deaths, which reports on the number of maternal deaths in health facilities, together with reasons for these deaths and recommendations to reduce preventable mortality.