The appearance and rapid spread of resistance to anti-malarial drugs has created a crisis for effective treatment in Africa. Consensus is growing that the only realistic treatment option will be a move away from treatment with one drug (monotherapy) to the more expensive combination therapies, particularly artemisinin-based combinations. However, a potential obstacle to the introduction of this new type of treatment is that it costs up to ten times more than monotherapy. There is concern that if poor patients’ families have to bear the cost of the drug combinations, they might delay treatment or avoid it altogether.
Resource allocation and health financing
Anti-malarial treatment in Tanzania: Differences in willingness to pay
Wiseman V, Onwujekwe O, Matovu F: ID21 Health, 31 May 2006
From funding to action: Strengthening healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
World Economic Forum: AllAfrica.com, 1 June 2006
In the first ever project of its kind, the World Economic Forum’s Global Health Initiative has brought together a range of stakeholders to identify how business could partner with the public sector to improve healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The resulting White Paper for consultation collects the views of diverse stakeholders on the barriers to effective healthcare systems in the region, and identifies opportunities for business to use its knowledge and skills to help tackle the problems through new public private partnerships. If turned into action some of the strategic interventions identified in this paper could contribute to improving access to health for millions of Africans.
Gender and social security in South Africa
Lund F: Eldis, 8 June 2006
This paper attempts to lay the basis for a gendered analysis of the scope, coverage and impact of the main components of social assistance in South Africa. This gendered approach draws attention to the serious gaps in knowledge about the scope of the social assistance system and its socio economic effects. More work is needed on the welfare system as a provider of employment, on the effects of the balance of public-versus private sector provision on gendered patterns on employment, on the dynamics of the care economy, and on the interaction between these.
Push for new tactics as war on malaria falters
Furrer M: New York Times, 28 June 2006
An emerging consensus on solutions, combined with fresh scrutiny and a windfall of new financing, are prompting major donors to revamp years of failed efforts to stem malaria's mortal toll. The growing support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, enriched this week by a $31 billion gift from Warren E. Buffett, will provide still more impetus for change. US A.I.D. is reported to be shifting its focus from mainly backing the sale of subsidized mosquito nets in Africa to giving more of them away to poor people; to providing combination drugs given the growth of resistance to older, cheaper medicines and to supporting large-scale programs to spray insecticides, including DDT.
'Medical scheme hinders freedom of choice'
SAPA, 23 May 2006
The Public Servants' Association (PSA) in South Africa has voiced concern over restrictions imposed by the Government Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Gems). It welcomed the restructuring current medical aid assistance to make medical cover more affordable, but questioned the compulsory membership of Gems.
A burden that will only become heavier
IPS, 28 May 2006: Palitza, K
Researchers say they are bracing for a sharp rise in the cost of public health services in South Africa within the next few years, due to HIV/AIDS. And, they warn that the country's health department might not be able to cope with its ever-growing responsibilities if government fails to increase the department's budget substantially.
Benn challenges west to fund African NHS
Guardian Unlimited: Mulholland H
Rich countries should back their poorer neighbours in setting up free universal healthcare to help save thousands of lives, Hilary Benn, the minister for international development, will told public service workers in the UK in May.
Gates turns attention to fighting TB
Ireland online, 25 May 2006
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has announced that it would give $104m to a non-profit organisation that fights tuberculosis (TB), a scourge in the developing world. The money will be doled out over five years to the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development to develop new drugs to combat a disease that kills nearly two million people a year. The four available drugs currently used to treat the disease are all more than 40 years old and take six months to work, while many patients have tuberculosis strains that are resistant to existing treatments.
Promoting mutual accountability in aid relationships
Oversees Development Institute, April 2006: de Renzio P, Mulley S
This document argues that by enhancing mutual accountability the aid community and recipient governments can begin to address the power imbalances intrinsic in aid relationships focus aid resources on commonly defined objectives allow recipient governments to influence donor behaviour makes aid more responsive to local needs and priorities.
W Cape health MEC takes aim at HIV shortage
IOL, 26 May 2006: Kassiem A
In a health budget that has received a R600-million boost, the Western Cape's drastic nursing shortage, HIV and Aids and tuberculosis are top of the list for the financial year, says Western Cape Health MEC Pierre Uys.