Beating for a great cause
But most never get the surgery they desperately need.
Cardiothoracic surgeon and Young Hearts Africa founder, Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, was part of an operation that saved the life of eight-month-old Kendreya Pillay.
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The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
WIN: Linctagon® hampers up for grabs valued at R1 000 each!
Two lucky readers stand a chance to win Linctagon hampers to help with the symptoms of colds and flu, no matter the time of year! When we think of colds and flu, most of us associate feeling under the weather with the cold, winter months. However, getting sick can strike at any time of the year, including summer which can catch people off guard when they least expect it. In fact, being prepared for the flu needs to be done all year long. Linctagon® products (both adult and junior) has included Pelargonium sidoides root extract as a key ingredient in its products for years, noting its significant impact on symptom relief and recovery speed of cold and flu. In simple terms, this means that it may help you feel better faster. Pelargonium sidoides, also known as the South African geranium, is a herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to treat respiratory infections by the inhabitants of Africa. Its efficacy in supporting the symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms is well supported by clinical studies, and its antioxidant properties help to support the body's immune system and offer anti-inflammatory support. To help navigate the symptoms of colds and flu, each Linctagon® hamper will include Linctagon®-C Plus Effervescent, Linctagon® cough syrup, Linctagon®-C broad spectrum relief, Linctagon®-C Junior broad spectrum relief, Linctagon® throat spray and Linctagon® Junior effervescent, as well as a luxurious Linctagon® branded blanket. The competition closes Sunday, 17 August 2025 at midnight. The competition will run online only. Delivery included This prize is not transferable or exchangeable for cash Ts&Cs apply. This competition is only open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older. By entering the competition, you accept The Citizen's standard terms and conditions. CLICK TO ENTER
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Community bars foreigners from health services
SHARPEVILLE.- The Sharpeville and Vereeniging community has embarked on what they call 'a campaign' to stop foreign nationals from being attended to at their clinics. The community has seemingly followed what an organisation called 'Dudula' is doing, mostly in the Johannesburg area, where foreigners are prohibited from getting any healthcare service. Investigating, Sedibeng Ster has discovered that the community members take turns to monitor patients at the clinics, barring foreigners from entering the premises and getting treatment or being attended to. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster on condition of anonymity, for obvious reasons, community members said that the clinics are overflowing with foreigners while the people of South Africa are struggling to get service. 'It is purely because of that that the community has taken this action. We have had it with the situation, and we have decided to take a stand, checking all foreigners.' Foreigners, who Sedibeng Ster asked for comment about the situation, refused to speak to 'papers' about the tense situation. 'No organisation is doing or funding this; the community just decided to take a stand because they are fed up,' a community member said. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said that it is aware of incidents where patients are obstructed from accessing healthcare, and that where there are reports of people who prevent others from accessing health services, the incidents are always reported to the law enforcement agencies, such as the police, who always respond swiftly to deal with the issues. 'The Gauteng Department of Health reported the matter to law enforcement agencies that are custodians of maintaining law and order.' 'In addition, the department remains committed to providing healthcare services to everyone irrespective of their nationality,' said Motalatale Modiba, GDoH's head of communication Modiba said that what the community is doing is not legal. 'We continue to appeal to communities not to take the law into their own hands but to allow constitutionally mandated institutions to be the ones that enforce the law.' Sharpeville police spokesperson, Constable Busisiwe Sango, said there have not been any cases (of threats) reported to them; however, they are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the residents of Vereeniging have also joined in the 'campaign'. A video circulating on social media shows them preventing foreign nationals from entering the Market Street Clinic in Vereeniging, demanding South African documentation.
The Herald
13 hours ago
- The Herald
E-cigarettes help smokers quit: prof calls for science-based policies in SA
He cited what he called a large international replication study. 'Smoking cigarettes kills about 75% of the cells in cultures, but tobacco harm reduction devices show little effect. In some cases, cells are even growing. These products are about 80% less toxic than tobacco cigarettes and about 99% less genotoxic.' Polosa used Sweden as an example to further his support for harm reduction. 'Sweden, where snus, a non-combustible nicotine product, is widely used, has the lowest long-term mortality and cardiovascular disease rates in Europe. This shows the potential of combustion-free nicotine to reduce health risks at population level,' he said. Polosa said clinical data also revealed rapid health improvements after switching. 'Just 48 to 72 hours after quitting smoking, people report getting their sense of taste and smell back. In studies, former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes showed restored mucociliary clearance times equal to never-smokers.' 'Among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 85% reported improvement of respiratory symptoms after switching to e-cigarettes. Our five-year follow-up showed reduced cigarette consumption, better lung function, fewer respiratory infections, and improved quality of life,' said Polosa. Addressing concerns about vaping in never-smokers, Polosa assured the committee: 'In a 3.5-year study of people who vape but have never smoked, we observed no long-term health concerns.' He offered to support South Africa with science-driven guidance for effective tobacco policy reforms. 'Prevention alone is not enough. Changing tobacco harm reduction tools could help people quit smoking. Non-combustible products are unlikely to create significant health concerns under normal use. People deserve accurate information on their risks and benefits to make informed choices. The government should integrate harm reduction into its public health strategy to save lives.' South African adjunct professor and independent healthcare consultant Prof Praneet Valodia told the committee that the combustion of tobacco produces between 6,000 and 7,000 chemicals. 'Among these, about 100 are harmful or potentially harmful. Non-combustible nicotine-containing products produce no combustion and 60% to 99% fewer harmful chemicals. This is based on an independent evaluation by the US Food and Drug Administration, a leading authority in tobacco and medicines regulation. Nicotine levels are the same but nicotine is not the harmful substance. It's the other chemicals, nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which cause disease.' 'The science is clear: combustible cigarettes and non-combustible nicotine products are not the same, and pretending they are undermines public health. 'Switching to non-combustible alternatives significantly reduces harm — we're talking about 60%-99% fewer harmful chemicals. I've independently assessed the evidence using the same rigorous standards applied to clinical trials, and the data is overwhelming. 'We need a smarter regulatory framework, one that differentiates based on risk, supports smokers with safer options, and stops ignoring the science. Continuing down the current path is not just flawed, it's dangerous.' TimesLIVE
