The Charlotte Maxeke hospital in Johannesburg today became the first in South Africa to have its own school playground. Funded by Medscheme, it is hoped that the playground will bring some normality to the lives of chronically and terminally ill children. The playground was specially planned and built to avoid sharp surfaces, metal corners or pipes to take into account the physical frailties of children susceptible to cuts, bruises or more severe injuries. “A panel of medical staff and specialists in designing play areas contributed ideas and the result has been what is probably South Africa’s most expensive – but safest play area,” said Andre Meyer, CEO of Medscheme.

Health officials are considering a new strategy that they say could effectively kill off HIV/AIDS within 40 years.

CSIR researchers are a step closer to providing TB sufferers with a once-a-week medicinal regime rather than their current daily doses.

The health department will start a national swine flu immunisation campaign on March 15, ahead of the Soccer World Cup in June, the health ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, the Archbishop of Durban, this morning sent out a strong message to all South African leaders, asking them, “Is your sexual morality making you a worthy role model for the youth?”