South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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South Africa (SA) has committed to eliminating malaria by 2028. However, the initial target was set for 2023. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of drug and insecticide resistance have been identified as potential stumbling blocks in the achievement of this goal. The impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence and distribution of malaria in SA is unclear. ⋯ This study highlighted the impact of COVID-19 and its related lockdown restrictions on the delivery of malaria health services in Mpumalanga Province. If malaria elimination is to be achieved, all aspects of the malaria programme must be strengthened urgently. Additionally, the health system and cross-border collaborations must also be strengthened.
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Review
Sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and migration in southern Africa: A rapid review.
Migration, a prevalent global phenomenon, significantly impacts health, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. This article presents a rapid review aimed at mapping projects, lessons and policies concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV and migration in southern Africa. Utilising a population-concept-context framework, the review focuses on understanding the scope, nature and extent of interventions, identifying lessons learnt, and assessing existing policies and strategies. ⋯ Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including gender-based violence, financial barriers and xenophobic attitudes among HCWs. Limited access to comprehensive sexuality education and social protection for migrants underscores the need for further policy development and implementation. Nevertheless, existing policies, such as Botswana's inclusive HIV treatment policy and South Africa's National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs, demonstrate steps towards ensuring migrants' rights to healthcare.
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Effective pandemic decision-making depends on scientific expert evidence, transparency about public health policy decision-making, its rationales and the evidence on which it is based. The South African government laudably committed its COVID-19 response to be guided by science and evidence. ⋯ This submission analyses the time elapsed between the submission of COVID-19 Ministerial Advisory Committees memoranda to the Minister of Health, and the Department of Health's subsequent publication of these for the period August 2020 - January 2024. It also summarises the outcomes of the Health Justice Initiative's access to information legal action against the department on expert advice and government decision-making during the pandemic.