Phenyo Mokgothu

Deaths from Tuberculosis (TB) have increased globally for the first time in over a decade. This is according to the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report that was released in October 2021. The increase in deaths is due to “reduced access to TB diagnosis and treatment in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic”, the report found.

The situation is no different in South Africa. In December, Health Minister Joe Phaahla confirmed that Covid-19 had side-lined the fight against TB, as well as HIV and Aids. 

Mafumane Thlapi

High prevalence rates of alcohol use among students in higher education are a public health concern. This is according to a study conducted by Prof Miriam Moagi from the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU).

Prof Moagi reviewed existing evidence to address alcohol abuse among students from a demand-reduction approach. The article is from her PhD study, which was guided by the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) pillars 2013–2017. The three pillars are demand reduction, harm reduction and supply reduction.

Phenyo Mokgothu

The earlier kidney disease is detected, the more effectively it can be treated. Anja Degenaar, a master’s student in physiology at the North-West University (NWU), has set out to identify the biomarkers which will indicate deteriorating kidney function in young South Africans, ensuring early detection and treatment.

“The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming an increasing concern, especially since CKD is expected to be the fifth leading cause of mortality by the year 2040,” she says.

On Friday, 4 March 2022 the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) commemorated World Obesity Day. The Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) decided to partner with NWU Wellness and arranged a casual walk through the campus to drive awareness of obesity.

Two nursing students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, Sakhile Ngcobo and Tshiamo Mokgoetsi, have been selected to take part in the Health and Social Care skill category of the WorldSkills South Africa national competition on 28 March 2022.

They will be competing for the chance to represent South Africa at the 46th International WorldSkills Competition which will be held from 12-17 October 2022 in Shanghai, China.

The North-West University (NWU) hosted the SASCOCHigh Performance Indaba at the Sports Village between 9 and 11 February 2022. SASCOC used this strategic planning session to review the performance of the Olympic and other elite teams over the past five years, and finalise a strategic plan for the next few Olympic cycles.

It is no secret that the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) at the North-West University (NWU) is at the forefront of in-depth research. Over the past year they have demonstrated yet again that their mission is to conduct research that could solve many health-related problems that affect young and old.  

Recently, HART researchers took part in a programme, #theArtofResearch, as an initiative to activate African knowledge. The researchers showcased their research by means of posters to make African science more accessible to our communities.

Twelve students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing will be participating in the provincial leg of the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) competition. They will be taking part in the social and personal services discipline.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals are often stigmatised and discriminated against. This population is expected to experience poorer mental health outcomes compared with heterosexual and cis-gendered people*, a phenomenon healthcare providers need to take note of and act upon.