Universal health coverage needs our commitment to equality. In SA, November is National Disability Rights Awareness Month and internationally December 3, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

A phase 3 study of oral zoliflodacin met the primary endpoint when compared against the combination of injectable ceftriaxone and oral azithromycin, a current international standard of care. Positive top-line study results are a significant milestone in the development of a first-in-class antibiotic against drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a high priority pathogen. Groundbreaking antibiotic research & development partnership model paves the way for development of other antibiotics to address impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The GloPID-R Africa Hub was officially launched during a conference on August 22-23 in Cape Town, hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). With a virtual option for delegates to take part online, the event was attended by scientists, policy makers and public health experts from across the globe

One of the goals of UNAIDS, is that 95% of HIV infected persons on treatment should attain viral suppression by 2030. On the evidence that treatment is prevention, South Africa in 2016 implemented the ‘Universal Test and Treat’ (UTT) approach in the management of HIV infections. Having a greater understanding of the potential challenges to viral suppression is crucial for the design of interventions to enhance viral suppression

South Africa has failed to address the root causes of problematic drinking, such as the availability of cheap alcohol and weak regulations, including inadequate controls on alcohol marketing and poor controls on liquor sales.