Latest news with #publichospitals
News24
2 hours ago
- Health
- News24
Be silly, show you care about healthcare workers' mental health in your crazy socks
Friday 6 June is CrazySocks4Docs Day – and your chance to rescue the oddest pair of socks from your drawer and show you care about those who care for us: our healthcare workers, writes Lizette Rabe. 'I write this because I am a medical student typing on a small laptop in my wardrobe in the dark. Because I am sitting on the floor with my back against the wall. I write this because I cannot ask for help.' Because, she writes, if anyone should know how ill she is, she will not get a position as an intern after her studies. This is how a medical student in America described her experience of depression a couple of years ago. But it could just as well have been a South African medical student. When I quote her when speaking to students, nods of agreement of students in front of me prove they know exactly what I'm talking about. No one is allowed to realise the level of their mental suffering. And after they are placed, the worst is to come. Indeed, a recent report on News24 highlighted the harsh conditions junior doctors in public hospitals have to endure, and that many are already on antidepressants. Healthcare workers – including students in healthcare – experience some of the highest levels of stress which lead to severe mood disorders. That's exactly why the CrazySocks4Docs (CS4D) campaign started several years ago. Dr Geoff Toogood, an Australian cardiologist who lives with severe depression, started the campaign to raise awareness that also healthcare workers can suffer from serious mental illnesses. It was after he wore a funny combination of socks one day – and then heard colleagues giggling that he had 'lost it again'. The truth is that he was quite healthy at the time, but that a puppy got hold of his socks – those mismatched socks were the first ones he could find that morning. While he continues fighting his battle against depression, Toogood's advice to all healthcare workers – including students – is to not see their mental illnesses as a 'failure'. Instead, they should seek help. And know that they are not alone. In South Africa, healthcare workers are working under acute stress. Some state hospitals cannot even afford food for patients, or pay doctors overtime. Our healthcare system is failing, what with 2 000 vacant posts in state hospitals. With the withdrawal of American financial support for Aids programmes, the picture gets even darker. Highlighting a serious problem The CS4D awareness campaign exists so that those who care for us realise that they also need to care for themselves. Besides, it is our opportunity as the public to show we #Care4OurCarers. It may sound frivolous to wear silly socks to highlight a serious problem. But it is a way to break the silence and the stigma. According to studies, suicide rates are higher among doctors than among other groups. Suicide is even described as an 'occupational hazard' for medics. Supplied Research shows suicide ideation begins on medical campuses. The tragic incidence of suicide is also significantly higher among medical students than among other groups. A South African study found that a third of medical students experience suicide ideation and that more than 6% attempt suicide. Another study found that 30% of primary healthcare doctors suffer from moderate to severe depression – a condition 'that is unrecognised, stigmatised, and undertreated – one which can have fatal consequences'. Moral distress In 2023, another South African study found that 46.2% of doctors tested positive for burnout and 53.73% for depression. The irony is that healthcare workers work in the 'caring professions', but seemingly often do not take care of themselves. A professor of psychiatry has described burnout – dysphoria is the medical term – in the healthcare sector as a burning ship that is getting closer and closer. According to him healthcare workers are in 'moral distress'. Plus: Interventions should not just be a 'band-aid', or, as he refers to it, 'baby goat yoga'. Their plight requires 'continuous attention'. Of course, the medical student's cry for help above is a catch-22 situation. They cannot show they are suffering. And then that black dog sneaks up on them; and it can destroy everything. Toogood also referred to how he postponed his own search for help because he was afraid of the consequences. What if it became known that he, as a cardiologist, suffers from severe depression? He also experienced feelings of shame. As a doctor, he thought he must be 'bulletproof'; and comments around the condition made him feel like a failure. That he couldn't handle a demanding profession. That he had chosen the wrong profession. That he wasn't resilient enough. Even that it was his 'choice' to feel the way he did – as if a cancer patient chooses to have cancer. Or this one: 'Everyone feels 'down' or 'a little sad' sometimes.' The importance of self-care Awareness-raising needs to make healthcare workers realise it's okay to seek help and to support each other, says Toogood. Mental health is about the health of your brain – which affects your entire body and life. It's not something you 'imagine'. There is still a long way to go to destigmatise mental illness in the healthcare sector to help more healthcare workers – and students – to seek help sooner. So, dear doctor, nurse, caregiver, student: learn the importance of self-care. CS4D is the ideal opportunity. You are not supermen or superwomen. To help students break the stigma, a 'sock selfie' competition will be held on all South Africa's medical campuses. All you have to do is post your sock selfie on social media with the hashtag #CrazySocks4Docs by 13 June, link it to the Ithemba Foundation's Facebook (IthembaFoundation1) or Instagram pages (@ithembafoundation) and ask family and friends for 'likes'. The student with the most 'likes' on each campus wins a whopping R2 000 in cash. Simultaneously, this is our opportunity as the public to show we care for those who care for us. Find your silliest mismatched socks to wear on Friday (and don't forget to post your sock selfie on social media). It may be a light-hearted way to draw attention to a serious topic, but together we can show we #Care4OurCarers. - Lizette Rabe is professor emeritus at Stellenbosch University and founder of the Ithemba Foundation which promotes awareness of mental health and funds research. *Want to respond to the columnist? Send your letter or article to opinions@ with your name and town or province. You are welcome to also send a profile picture. We encourage a diversity of voices and views in our readers' submissions and reserve the right not to publish any and all submissions received. Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.
Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
A prescription for Gauteng's health: Generics, state pharma and the power of local
Generic medicine produced locally are the cornerstone of affordable healthcare. In the heart of Gauteng, where the pulse of South Africa's healthcare system beats loudest, a quiet revolution is overdue. It's not about high-tech hospitals or billion-rand budgets. It's about generics, local pharmaceutical manufacturing and the untapped potential of small businesses. If we're serious about equitable healthcare, we must rethink how we produce, price and provide medicine. Generics, the unsung heroes Generic medicines are chemically identical to their branded counterparts but are sold at a fraction of the price. They are the cornerstone of affordable healthcare globally. In South Africa, where the cost of living continues to rise and public hospitals face chronic shortages, generics offer a lifeline. Yet, despite their proven efficacy, generics remain underutilised and under-promoted. Why? Because the pharmaceutical market is still skewed in favour of brand-name monopolies, often protected by patent extensions and marketing muscle. Meanwhile, patients in Gauteng are forced to choose between paying for transport to clinics and buying essential medication out of pocket. The single exit price (SEP) policy, introduced to regulate medicine pricing, has helped standardise costs across the private sector. But it has also inadvertently squeezed out smaller players and discouraged innovation. While SEP has made medicines more affordable, it has not addressed the deeper structural issues that limit access — chief among them, our reliance on imported drugs and the lack of local manufacturing capacity. More than a factory Imagine a state-owned pharmaceutical company — not as a bureaucratic behemoth, but as a strategic engine for public health. Such an entity could prioritise the production of essential generics, stabilise supply chains, and reduce dependence on imports. It could also serve as a price anchor in a volatile market, ensuring that life-saving drugs remain within reach for all South Africans. India's model offers a compelling precedent. By allowing local manufacturers to produce generics even when patents exist elsewhere, India has become the world's largest supplier of affordable medicines. South Africa, with its scientific talent and industrial base, could do the same — if we had the political will. A state pharmaceutical company could also play a critical role in addressing medicine shortages, particularly for antibiotics and chronic disease treatments. These shortages are not just logistical failures — they are symptoms of a system that prioritises profit over public health. A state-led approach could ensure that essential medicines are always available, especially in underserved areas. The missing link in local pharma Gauteng is home to a vibrant ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which are eager to enter the pharmaceutical space. But they face steep barriers: regulatory red tape, lack of financing and an uneven playing field dominated by multinational giants. Supporting these SMEs isn't just good economics — it's smart health policy. Local businesses can respond faster to regional needs, create jobs and build resilient supply chains. With targeted incentives, training and procurement support, these enterprises could become the backbone of a home-grown pharmaceutical sector. Moreover, SMEs are often more agile and innovative than their larger counterparts. They are well-positioned to develop niche products, explore green manufacturing practices and collaborate with academic institutions on research and development. But without access to capital and streamlined regulatory pathways, their potential remains untapped. South Africa imports the vast majority of its active pharmaceutical ingredients, making us vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed this fragility in stark terms. Delays in vaccine procurement, shortages of basic medicines and inflated prices were all consequences of our overreliance on foreign suppliers. Local production is not just about economic sovereignty — it's about health security. By investing in domestic manufacturing, we can ensure a steady supply of essential medicines, reduce costs and create high-skilled jobs. Gauteng, with its industrial infrastructure and access to research institutions, is the ideal hub for such an initiative. But local production must be accompanied by regulatory reform. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority must streamline its approval processes and provide clear guidance for new entrants. Delays in drug registration not only stifle innovation — they cost lives. We need a three-pronged strategy: normalise generics through public education, prescriber incentives and regulatory support. Patients must be empowered to ask for generics and healthcare providers must be incentivised to prescribe them. Establish a state pharmaceutical entity focused on essential medicines and public health priorities. This entity should operate transparently, with clear mandates and measurable outcomes. Empower local businesses with access to capital, streamlined licensing and inclusion in public procurement. Government tenders should prioritise local manufacturers, especially those producing high-demand generics. Additionally, we must invest in skills development. Young South Africans should be trained in pharmaceutical sciences, regulatory affairs and supply-chain management. A thriving local industry requires not just factories, but a skilled workforce to run them. The bigger picture The pharmaceutical industry is not just about pills and patents — it's about power. Who controls the supply of medicine controls the health of a nation. For too long, that power has rested in the hands of a few multinational corporations. It's time to reclaim it. The Covid-19 pandemic taught us that health is a public good, not a private commodity. It also taught us that resilience comes from within. By embracing generics, supporting local businesses and establishing a state pharmaceutical company, we can build a healthcare system that is not only more affordable but more just. It's time to stop importing solutions and start manufacturing them. Fentse Maseko works for the pharmacy and pharmacology department at the University of Witwatersrand and is a PhD applicant.
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Up to 6,800 more inpatient beds will be needed by 2040, says ESRI report
There will be a need for up to 6,800 more inpatient beds in acute public hospitals by 2040, to cater for the increasing and ageing population, a new report has found. The report, published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), investigates capacity in public hospitals over the next 15 years. Ireland's population is projected to increase from 5.3 million in 2023 to between 5.9 and 6.3 million by 2040, with the range reflecting differing assumptions on future migration trends, the ESRI said. Importantly, the number of people aged 65 years and over will increase from one in seven of the population in 2023 to one in five by 2040. READ MORE 'This age group are particularly high users of hospital services, accounting for over 60 per cent of inpatient bed days in 2023,' the ESRI said. Consequently, requirements for an additional 650 to 950 day patient beds by 2040 are projected, which reflects growth of between 25 and 37 per cent. There are also projections for an additional 4,400 to 6,800 inpatient beds being required by 2040, growth of between 40 and 60 per cent. The report did not examine regional demand and capacity requirements, with HSE regional level analysis currently under way, which will be published separately later this year. The ESRI also examined demand for services, which forecast attendances at emergency departments will grow from 1.6 million in 2023 to between 2 and 2.1 million by 2040, growth of between 20 and 27 per cent. [ Ireland's ageing population to put major strain on public finances in coming decades Opens in new window ] Outpatient department attendances are projected to grow from 4.6 million in 2023 to between 5.5 and 5.9 million by 2040, growth of between 21 and 28 per cent. Day patient discharges are projected to grow from 1.2 million in 2023 to between 1.5 and 1.6 million by 2040, growth of between 25 and 37 per cent. Inpatient discharges are forecast to grow from 650,000 in 2023 to between 800,000 and 900,000 by 2040, growth of between 22 and 39 per cent. Inpatient bed days are projected to increase from 3.9 million in 2023 to between 5.1 and 6 million in 2040, growth of between 32 and 55 per cent. Dr Aoife Brick, senior research officer at the ESRI and lead author of the report, said the findings highlight 'significant future growth in demand for public acute hospital services, driven primarily by population growth and ageing'. 'The report offers policymakers evidence on the scale of service expansion needed to meet future demand,' she added. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the report from the ESRI will assist the department in 'ensuring our health system evolves to meet the needs of our changing population'.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Private health sector estimated to come out in ‘much better shape' following Healthscope crisis
Private Healthcare Australia CEO Rachel David says there has been 'tremendous growth' in the number of Australians using private health insurance. Ms David claims around 15 million Australians are equipped with the service. 'The reason it continues to grow is because of some of the struggles that the public hospitals have had … and people desire to have more control over when they have treatment and by whom,' Ms David told Sky News Australia. 'We think that the private hospital sector will emerge from this crisis in a much better shape than it was previously.'
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Health to get $11.1bn boost in Victorian budget with pharmacist prescribing powers made permanent
Victoria's health system will receive an $11.1bn cash injection in the state budget, with hospitals to receive more funding and pharmacists given greater powers to prescribe medications without the need for a GP visit. The budget, which will be handed down by the state's treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, on Tuesday, includes a $9.3bn boost for public hospitals. It comes less than a year after a $1.5bn lifeline was provided to hospitals, which had warned they would be forced to close beds, delay elective surgeries and sack staff if required to rein in spending, as had been requested by the government during the 2024 budget. Public backlash to the hospitals' concerns at the time also prompted the government to abandon plans to merge some health services. The government said the latest investment would give 'every public hospital the certainty to plan for the future and keep delivering the world-class care Victorians rely on'. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Tuesday's budget will also include $48.2m for urgent care clinics and make permanent a community pharmacy prescribing program, which has been trialled since October 2023. The scheme has allowed pharmacists to treat conditions such as uncomplicated urinary tract infections, minor skin issues like psoriasis and supply oral contraceptives without the need for a prescription. The funding will allow the program to be expanded to include treatments for allergies, nausea and high blood pressure. Unlike similar programs in Queensland and New South Wales, consultations in Victoria will be free. The expansion is expected to face pushback from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association, both of which opposed the initial trial, citing patient safety concerns. But the government argues the scheme will help 'reduce pressure' on the health system and support Victorians who 'cannot wait or pay for a visit to their GP'. An additional $634.3m will also go towards operationalising nine new or upgraded hospitals across the state, including at Footscray, Frankston and Maryborough. The premier, Jacinta Allan, said she would 'always fight' for a strong public health system. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'That's why I'm focused on investing in our world-class health system and backing our doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and all other frontline health workers – so Victorians can get the care they need, when and where they need it,' she said. The government said the additional $11.1bn would bring the total amount of health funding in the budget to $31bn. However, questions remain about the future of a number of key health and mental health programs, with analysis by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office – commissioned by the Greens – showing almost 30 health department initiatives will expire at the end of the financial year unless renewed. On Monday, Symes said the budget would include a $600m projected operating surplus for 2025-26 – Victoria's first since the pandemic. This is $1bn less than the surplus touted in December's mid-year budget update, which she said was a deliberate decision to prioritise cost-of-living relief for Victorians. Sykes said her first budget would be shaped by 'responsible decisions,' such as returning infrastructure spending to 'pre-pandemic levels', stabilising debt and cutting 'several thousand' public sector jobs.
