While most medical scheme members are very aware of annual increases in their contributions as it directly affects their pocket, more often than not they are ignorant about the ‘inner workings’ of their medical scheme and how/on what their contributions are spent. “As custodians of our members’ contributions, it is first and foremost our duty to facilitate the best quality healthcare possible, taking their financial means into account. Members also need to remember that all profits go to themselves in the form of reserves or to keep future contribution increases as low as possible,” notes Liberty Medical Scheme Executive Principal... Continue Reading
……..to raise awareness of role of exercise in treatment of autoimmune diseases – Monday, 29 October 2012: Over 100 patients, physicians, practice nurses and their families and friends took part in the Cape Town ‘Gun Run’ on Sunday, 14 October on behalf of the ‘Join the Fight against Autoimmune diseases’ campaign and to highlight the important role exercise can play in slowing the progression of these debilitating conditions. One of Cape Town’s most popular running events, the ‘Gun Run’ is open to runners of all ages and abilities. The event consists of several races, from a 21 kilometre half marathon... Continue Reading
LONDON, 22 October 2012 (IRIN) – Enter the dignified portals of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine this week, and the first thing you will see is a gold-plated turd, resting on a scarlet silk cushion. It is labelled “The Golden Poo”, and is actually a Japanese good luck charm (a word play on the similarity between the words for “luck” and “poo” in Japanese.) It is the most eye-catching exhibit in a Sanitation and Hygiene Exhibition on display at the London School until the end of next month. The director of the School’s Hygiene Centre, Valerie Curtis,... Continue Reading
Monday, 22 October 2012: In a bid to enhance the skills of local scientists and invest in clinical and scientific development in South Africa, pharmaceutical company Novartis is sponsoring a cutting-edge Clinical Science Workshop at the University of Stellenbosch, as well as an intensive three-month internship programme at its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. The Clinical Science Workshop will be held from 22-23 October at the Tygerberg Campus, while the three month Novartis Next Generation Scientist Program is held annually in Basel, Switzerland. With a presence in 140 countries, research at Novartis is focused on discovering and developing innovative new medicines to... Continue Reading
Friday 12 October is World Arthritis Day (WAD) and an important opportunity to raise awareness of arthritic diseases and the considerable challenges people affected by them face. Supported by the ‘Join the Fight against Autoimmune diseases’ campaign, the theme this year is “Waving for World Arthritis Day”, emphasising how difficult physical activity — even simple movements we take for granted, such as waving — can be for sufferers. According to a recent report, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with one in every five American adults currently diagnosed with an arthritic condition and the number of... Continue Reading
