E Voigt
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elri-voigt.bsky.social
E Voigt
@elri-voigt.bsky.social
72 followers 230 following 15 posts
🇿🇦 Health journalist | Booktrovert | Dog parent |
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Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
STORIES WORTH SAVOURING | While our newsletter is on pause until next year, you can still read previous issues. One we think you might enjoy is this compilation of the year's special series.
Dig in: tiny.cc/va1w001

Join our mailing list: tiny.cc/ra1w001
December 19, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
DO YOU KNOW THEM? | Every August we highlight women across healthcare, science, and medicine who are leading with distinction locally and internationally.
See our list for 2025: shorturl.at/i3ICC

Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
December 19, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
HISTORY OF HIV | Have a look at our interactive timeline that highlights scientific milestones, political controversies, activism, and the human stories that shaped one of the most significant public health challenges of our time.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/25/a...
TIMELINE | The journey of HIV through science, struggle, activism, and hope
From the first reported cases of HIV in 1981 to the latest breakthroughs in long-acting prevention, this Spotlight timeline traces key moments in the global and South African response to the virus. It...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
STORIES WORTH SAVOURING | Alongside our standalone pieces, Spotlight also ran a number of special series – bringing you compelling, high-quality, and in-depth health journalism on topics that matter. Dig in here: tiny.cc/va1w001

Join our mailing list: tiny.cc/ra1w001
December 5, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
#WorldAIDSDay2025 | Scientific breakthroughs in HIV, including those by SA’s many highly accomplished AIDS researchers, have had widespread global impact benefitting vulnerable groups from all walks of life, writes Professor Salim Abdool Karim.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/26/s...
December 1, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
#WorldAIDSDay2025 | Spotlight has launched a new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on outputs from the Thembisa model.

Our hope is that this dashboard will help the public and people working in healthcare to find important HIV numbers more easily: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/hiv-dashboard/
December 1, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
US funding cuts shredded specialised services at a transgender clinic in the heart of Johannesburg. But a new collaborative initiative refuses to let this be the end of the journey for trans clients.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/28/n...
New hope after shuttered Hillbrow transgender clinic finds new partner in state hospital
United States funding cuts shredded specialised services at a transgender clinic in the heart of Johannesburg. But a new collaborative initiative refuses to let this be the end of the journey for tran...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 28, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
HAVE A LOOK | The National Health Laboratory Service has provided HIV, TB, syphilis and cholesterol data, which Spotlight and GroundUp obtained through the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/27/r...
Release of useful health statistics: 2015 to 2025
The National Health Laboratory Service has provided HIV, TB, syphilis and cholesterol data, which Spotlight and GroundUp obtained through the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 27, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
THE HISTORY OF HIV | Explore four decades of the HIV story, from the first cases to breakthroughs in prevention, science, and South Africa’s fight against the virus: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/25/a...
TIMELINE | The journey of HIV through science, struggle, activism, and hope
From the first reported cases of HIV in 1981 to the latest breakthroughs in long-acting prevention, this Spotlight timeline traces key moments in the global and South African response to the virus. It...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
IN THE SPOTLIGHT | We explain in this special briefing that self-screening tests are part of South Africa's HIV response on paper, but in reality, the tests are massively underutilised.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/24/i...
#InTheSpotlight | Why government should provide more free HIV self-tests
It is estimated that around half a million people living with HIV in South Africa don’t know they are living with the virus. One way to help these people is by offering them the means to test themselv...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
TAKING STOCK OF NHI | It seems likely that in 2026, the courts will have to make one or more landmark rulings that will determine the future of NHI. Find out more: tinyurl.com/u9tv9jf9

Join our mailing list: tinyurl.com/82jdsfjy
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
theunion.org
Dr Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, Executive Director of The Union, opened #WCLH2025 with powerful words:

“In the face of devastating funding cuts & geopolitical turmoil, we must squeeze every drop of potential from this conference to move the needle & avert any further derailment.”
November 18, 2025 at 8:26 AM
elri-voigt.bsky.social
One of the best parts of attending conferences like the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society's is hearing about great projects like Sihamba Kunye.
If you need a dose of good news today, give this story a read.
November 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
Do you want to know what is happening with HIV in South Africa? Have a look at our new HIV dashboard and graph generator based on outputs from the Thembisa model: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/hiv-dashboard/
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
South Africa has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. Experts say significant change is needed.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/17/s...
SA has relatively high anal cancer rates, but we rarely screen for it
South Africa has the world's largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. However, neither the collection of data nor the efforts for...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
JUST IN | Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024, according to new figures released alongside the @who.int’s latest World TB Report. This continues a slow downward trend in TB deaths in recent years, reports @marcuslowx.bsky.social.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/12/5...
54 000 TB deaths in SA in 2024, according to WHO
Around 54 000 people died of TB in South Africa in 2024 and 249 000 fell ill with the disease, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. Marcus Low reports.
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
Remarkable findings from a study in rural KwaZulu-Natal suggest a compelling alternative to the current model of clinic-based care of hypertension.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/10/m...
Monitoring people’s blood pressure in their homes leads to better control – study finds
Hypertension is poorly managed in South Africa. Remarkable findings from a study in rural KwaZulu-Natal suggest a compelling alternative to the current model of clinic-based care – using community hea...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
There is still much uncertainty over how asymptomatic TB functions in the body and how infectious it is. An ambitious study, set to be conducted in South Africa and Indonesia, is trying to find some answers, reports @elri-voigt.bsky.social.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/11/06/s...
SA and Indonesia team up on massive asymptomatic TB study
Over the last decade, there’s been growing evidence that people can have TB without having any symptoms. But there is still much uncertainty over how such asymptomatic TB functions in the body and how...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
November 6, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
MONDAY MUST READ | Pharmacists with the required training will need special permits to dispense antiretrovirals without a doctor’s script. Spotlight reports that they may be able to start applying for these permits as soon as next month.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/10/27/p...
ARVs without a script: What next after major court ruling?
A landmark ruling from the Supreme Court of Appeal means specially trained pharmacists will soon be allowed to dispense antiretrovirals without a doctor’s script. Pharmacists with the required trainin...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
October 27, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
AGAINST THE ODDS | SA has an army of inspiring people making a difference. How could we bring more of the dynamism of our NGOs into our provincial health departments? tinyurl.com/y5atb8z

Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
BIG SA NEWS IN HIV PREVENTION | Our medicines regulator approved an HIV prevention shot containing lenacapavir. It provides protection for six months with a single dose. A limited public rollout is set for April 2026.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/10/27/b...
October 27, 2025 at 9:27 AM
elri-voigt.bsky.social
After keeping an eye on childhood immunisation rates for the past few years, it seemed only right to devote some time unpacking the trends and exploring solutions.
Ft some nifty graphs.
October 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
BE A LIFELINE | Every year, thousands in South Africa wait in hope and desperation for life-saving organ transplants. Learn more, including updates on Tembisa corruption and affordable lenacapavir: shorturl.at/SjjaW

Join our mailing list: shorturl.at/Ntzoa
October 3, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by E Voigt
spotlightnsp.bsky.social
MUST READ | The country that performed the first successful heart transplant has very low organ donation rates. @elri-voigt.bsky.social asks the experts why South Africa's donation rates are so low and what can be done about it.

www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2025/09/29/s...
SA has very low organ donation rates – how can we fix it?
Thousands of people in South Africa are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, but our very low organ donation rates mean that many won’t get a transplant in time. Elri Voigt asks the experts why...
www.spotlightnsp.co.za
September 29, 2025 at 8:08 AM
elri-voigt.bsky.social
The stars aligned for this interview to happen at the @samrcza.bsky.social building in Pretoria. One of my favourites so far, Prof Rachel Jewkes reflected on her remarkable career and how she "accidentally" spent a few months in the Transkei as a teenager.
August 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM