Abstract: People who are homeless present for care with poor health status, influenced by their physical and social environment. Trinity Health Services is an interprofessional student-run clinic providing free health care to the inner city homeless of Johannesburg, South Africa. This descriptive survey profiled the disease conditions of the homeless through a retrospective review of patient files, documented on a predesigned case report form. The data were analyzed using descriptive
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Africa. Offering comprehensive breast care services requires careful planning; yet, there is limited literature on the costs of providing services in low-resource settings. We aimed to estimate the average costs per procedure and patient for the diagnosis of breast conditions in South Africa, including the impact of shifting to lower-cost imaging
This paper provides an analysis of the health HIV and TB budget and spending in South Africa over an eight-year period (2013/14 - 2020/21), with a special focus on the 2015/16 and 2016/17 provincial programme spending and the 2018/19 to 2020/21 budget. The analysis indicates government’s increasing financial commitment to HIV and TB against the backdrop of declining economic conditions. The problem of over- or under-spending by provinces has been partially attributed to poor estimation of
In South Africa, in 2013-2014, provision of antiretroviral treatment (ART) shifted in some areas from NGOs to public facilities. Tuberculosis (TB) management has also been integrated into public services. We aimed to explore the opinions and experiences of service managers and healthcare providers regarding integration of HIV and TB services into primary healthcare
Breast cancer and breast disease are often excluded from sexual reproductive health advocacy resulting in missed opportunities for advancing breast care services and engaging patients holistically. We aimed to determine the availability of diagnostic and treatment services for breast disease and integration with HIV-related care in Sub-Saharan Africa with a special focus on South
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are co-factors for HIV infection and can cause significant morbidity. Expanding on a prior systematic review, we aimed to summarize recent literature on the costs of diagnosing and treating curable STIs in low- and middle-income countries
Cervical cancer incidence is significant in countries, such as South Africa, with high burdens of both HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is largely preventable if dysplasia is diagnosed and treated early, but there is debate regarding the best approaches for screening and treatment, especially for low-resource settings. Currently South Africa provides Pap smears followed by colposcopic biopsy and LEEP if needed in its public health facilities. We estimated the costs and
The female condom (FC) was identified by the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition in 2011 as one of several under-used reproductive health technologies having the potential to expand choice in reproductive health and family planning programs, add value to the method mix, and respond to the needs of diverse types of clients (1). The FC also is key to increasing HIV protection options for women and men, and is the only female-initiated HIV prevention barrier method. Although FC distribution
On Mar 22, 2016 the reports for Phase 1 of the South African HIV and TB Investment Case were launched by the Deputy President during the World TB Day celebrations. HE2RO staff were heavily involved in all aspects of the development of the Investment Case, from devising the analytical framework to reviewing evidence for interventions and enablers to developing the novel optimisation method driving the model analysis to writing the
On Mar 22, 2016 the reports for Phase 1 of the South African HIV and TB Investment Case were launched by the Deputy President during the World TB Day celebrations. HE2RO staff were heavily involved in all aspects of the development of the Investment Case, from devising the analytical framework to reviewing evidence for interventions and enablers to developing the novel optimisation method driving the model analysis to writing the
In 2014, the National Department of Health (NDOH) drafted a strategy to improve adherence to chronic disease medication in South Africa. The strategy includes adherence to HIV, TB, non-communicable disease, and mental health medications. Before the strategy can be adopted, estimates of its overall resource requirements and cost to the national budget are needed. It is also important to estimate the cost of each intervention included in the strategy, so that interventions can be prioritized if
South Africa is at the centre of the global HIV epidemic. The public health burden created by HIV/AIDS has the potential to compound existing challenges in the country’s public healthcare system. Addressing these challenges will involve a significant overhaul of existing service delivery structures (South African National Department of Health, 2013) and innovative
