Ascendis Health expands operation with R345 million acquisition

Ascendis Health has expanded its operation into the manufacture and distribution of branded generic prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines, with the purchase of Akacia Healthcare for R345 million.
Its product range includes probiotic brand Reuterina, which is ranked number one in the anti-diarrhoeal market with over 30% share, as well as Sinucon and Sinuend which are top three brands in the cold and flu market.
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SA launches world’s first early drug stock out warning system

South Africa has run short of medicines from prenatal iron supplements to HIV and TB medications this year. Now the Department of Health is working to change this.In an effort to combat medicine shortages, South Africa will roll out a first of its kind early warning system to identify drug stock outs before they happen. The move comes as country and makers of the antiretroviral Aluvia work to address shortages.Due to a mix of local and international problems, South Africa has run short of everything from prenatal iron supplements to HIV and tuberculosis (TB) medications this year.
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China-Africa trade tops 220 bln USD in 2014: envoy

Trade between China and Africa exceeded 220 billion U.S. dollars in 2014, according to Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Gu Xiaojie.The figures were revealed in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday ahead of the Johannesburg Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation due in December.China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for six years in a row with diplomatic ties with 50 African countries.
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IT can revolutionise SA’s healthcare service delivery

Although access to quality healthcare is considered a basic human right, the South African healthcare sector is facing numerous challenges that impede the delivery of this essential service. The shortage of skilled doctors and nurses coupled with the rapidly growing economy and populations means that there are simply not enough providers for all of our citizens.
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Commonwealth Medical Association Hails Buhari On Appointment Of Health Ministers

The Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing competent professionals as ministers to oversee the affairs of the health ministry.
The association gave the commendation in a statement signed by its Vice-President, Dr Osahon Enabulele.
Enabulele said that the appointment of Prof. Isaac Adewole and Dr Osagie Ehanire as Minister of Health and Minister of State for Health respectively would give the sector a new lease of life.
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Chinese peacekeepers prepare for Africa missions

China has been participating in UN peacekeeping operations, mainly in Africa, since the 1990s. And it continues to contribute more to it.
Intensive training for the upcoming mission to Africa….
An infantry battalion of 700-strong will leave for South Sudan for a one-year posting in December, and 225 military engineers for the Darfur region.
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Kenya Gets Sh1.3 Billion U.S. Grant for Public Health Labs

The US has given the Kenyan government a five-year Sh1.3 billion grant to strengthen public health facilities’ ability to handle infectious diseases.The money will be used to equip public health laboratories and train medical staff.
The collaboration named Boresha Maabara (improve laboratory services), is between the Kenya government and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/
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Iran Ready to Provide Medical Supports for S. Africa: Larijani

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Speaker of Iran’s Parliament Ali Larijani voiced the country’s preparedness to expand its cooperation with South Africa, particularly in the fields of energy and medical services.
In a Sunday meeting with the visiting South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa here in Tehran, Larijani said the two countries can have exchange of information in such fields as health and medicine.
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Trevor Noah mocks U.S. health care system’s wait times, paperwork after emergency appendectomy

This pundit got a ruptured appendix – and a fresh set of eyes.
“The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah got a crash course in American health care early Wednesday when he said an emergency room employee prioritized paperwork over his perforated appendix.
“‘The lady’s like, ‘Can you fill out the form?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m dying!’” he said, putting his Thursday night audience in stitches. “And she’s like, ‘Yeah, but I need you to fill out the form first.’”
The South African comedian also ridiculed U.S. hospitals’ sickening wait times in a medical monologue on his show.
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