I. Other
Permanent URI for this collection
About this Collection
This collection contains slide presentations and audio/video recordings not provided for elsewhere. This includes events/activities/participation in special day, special week, special month and special year celebrations, as well as science festivals and thematic weeks, e.g. National Science Week, Science Engagement and Open Access Week.
Peer-Review Status: Non-Peer Reviewed
Enquiries: Henriëtte Wagner
Browse
17 results
Search Results
Item Addressing the Recent Measles Outbreak in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)South Africa is grappling with a notable resurgence of measles, a highly contagious viral infection that poses a serious threat to public health. This recent measles outbreak has raised concerns about immunisation coverage, healthcare infrastructure, and the broader impact on community well-being. As a means of contributing to the discussions, ASSAf hosted a webinar on the 23rd of October 2023 to understand the factors contributing to this resurgence, to explore successful strategies employed to contain and manage measles outbreaks and to potentially propose recommendations for immediate response and long-term prevention strategies to curb the measles outbreak and prevent future recurrences.Item Cholera outbreak: What you need to know about the disease, its spread and a potential action plan to fight the nationwide outbreak(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This webinar was presented on 14 August 2023. Safe, high-quality drinking water is an essential aspect of public health. Despite the fact that water is a necessity of human life, about 20% of the world’s population lacks safe drinking water. In South Africa, approximately 3 million people do not have access to potable water supply and 14 million people are deprived of safe sanitation services. Water quality is an acute problem, especially for developing nations. In these countries, up to 90% of the cities discharge their untreated sewage into rivers and streams. These surface waters in turn may be used for drinking and personal sanitation purposes. The unsanitary water supplies found in many of these densely populated areas foster the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses and serious infectious diseases that contribute greatly to the burden of morbidity and mortality. On 21 May 2023, the health department in Gauteng declared a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, an area about 50 kilometres north of its administrative capital Pretoria, in the City of Tshwane. Cholera is defined as an infectious and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients (e.g., those who are undergoing chemotherapy, taking steroids, or afflicted with HIV/AIDS) are at special risk of diseases caused by water contamination. This webinar aimed to: • Inform the public about cholera and the current status of the outbreak. • To discuss the implications of the outbreak on Sustainable Development Goal 6: Access to Water and Sanitation for all. • Outline an action plan to fight the nationwide cholera outbreak.Item Impact of climate change on food systems: Using transdisciplinary science to drive mitigation and adaptation solutions to protect and promote health(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); InterAcademy Partnership (IAP); Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)A recent systems-based approach to tackling climate change and health issues, from the global InterAcademy Partnership and its regional academy networks, examined how science can guide innovation, policy and practice for climate mitigation and adaptation. Among adverse climate change effects are those mediated by multiple impacts on food production and, consequently, on health and livelihoods. Outputs from the global assessment and specifically from Africa will be presented to exemplify the diverse challenges and opportunities to identify and implement solutions, integrated between agriculture and other sectors, at all levels of governance.Item Health Research and its contribution to South Africa’s democracy(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022-08) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Freedom of speech encompasses freedom of research and is an important component of any democracy. Health research, and communication around this research, have contributed to strengthening South Africa's democracy. Generally, COVID-19 research has been well disseminated and discussed openly, between scientists, civil society and government. To this extent, COVID-19 related health research can be said to have strengthened the functioning of our democracy. However, the pandemic has bought to the forefront important questions about the role of health research in a democracy. This webinar explored: 1) The extent to which the discussion around health research during COVID-19 excluded other research voices from the mainstream. 2) The extent to which health research should be a matter of discussion amongst non-specialists? Should there be limits on information shared/discussions held? 3) In an environment of the free flow of information, does the way in which health research information is shared enhance or undermine our democracy? 4) How does the dissemination of health research information affect the relationships between scientists, government and civil society?Item Mental Health and the role of traditional healers(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Webinar presented on 8 July 2022 by the Academy of Science of South Africa. The provision of treatment, care and rehabilitation services for people with Mental, Neurological and Substance use (MNS) disorders is a multisectoral responsibility. Traditional healers have a unique role to play, especially in resource-limited settings. It is estimated that there are about 200 000 traditional healers as compared to 975 registered psychiatrists – who mostly practise in urban areas and the private sector. Traditional health practitioners and those linked to faith-based organisations play a significant role in providing services for people with MNS disorders. These are often an entry point into systems of care. These providers, therefore, could play a significant role in identifying people with such disorders, and in some cases, have worked cooperatively with health services in providing for the mental health and spiritual needs of individuals. There is a need to understand the role of traditional health practitioners in mental health care. This webinar seeks to understand the role, knowledge, attitude, and practice of traditional healers in mental health care with the aim to encourage their participation in terms of the treatment, care and rehabilitation of people with MNS disorders.Item Priorities for child and adolescent mental health research and services in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Children and adolescents under the age of 18 years comprise 34% of the population, and child and adolescent Mental, Neurological and Substance Use (MNS) disorders are common and an important cause of disability and distress. Providers at all levels should be competent to screen for and identify common childhood mental disorders, which usually present with developmental delay, emotional and/or behavioural symptoms and/or learning difficulties. Given the burden of disease, the fact that many mental disorders begin in childhood, and that early intervention is most effective in childhood and adolescence, it is essential that effective promotion, prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation interventions should be provided for children and adolescents. In this webinar, hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa, leading experts in child and adolescent mental health will presented their priorities for child and adolescent mental health services and research in South Africa.Item Dual-Use Research of Concern(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) describes research (typically in the life sciences) that is intended to produce answers to legitimate research questions but may be misapplied with nefarious purposes. DURC is defined by the National Institutes of Health as follows: “DURC is life sciences research that, based on current understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide knowledge, information, products, or technologies that could be directly misapplied to pose a significant threat with broad potential consequences to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, materiel, or national security”. The misuse of research findings, either intentionally or not, is a long-standing concern of science, but governance of the subject has been lagging. In the United States, several policies and legislation governs DURC nationally, and internationally to those that may be receiving research funding or attempting to publish research findings in US-based scientific journals. Currently, there is no policy or legislation in South Africa governing DURC (directly),other than the Acts and Regulations addressing non-proliferation. This webinar is a scientific engagement to share knowledge and experiences with DURC internationally and nationally.Item SALGA-ASSAf seminar on disaster risk management, fire & emergency services capabilities assessment of municipalities(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Local Governments Association (SALGA)In partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), ASSAf hosted a seminar to discuss the output of research commissioned by SALGA. The research sought to determine the ability of municipalities – across all municipal categories – to perform functions in relation to disaster management, fire services and emergency services. The work was a “deep-dive” analysis to obtain a detailed understanding of the challenges faced by municipalities, and to describe the essential elements of “best practice” and how the elements interact as a complex adaptive system.Item Uniting people through diversity – coming together during times of need(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Panellists: Dr Stanley Maphosa, Prof Brij Maharaj (Professor of Geography and Deputy President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha), Sultan Sheikh Yasin Muhammad Yaqeenullah Allamal Yaqen Muhammad (Grand Mufti SA and President of Muslim Supreme Council of South Africa (MUSCOOSA)), Dr Winnie Tshirumbula (Pentecost Church of God). September is heritage month in South Africa, celebrated on 24 September each year by recognising and celebrating the cultural wealth of the nation. South Africa boasts a richness of cultural diversity from the precolonial era to the present. Heritage is an integral component of all communities and links identity to ancestors and for continuity in future generations. Aspects of heritage intersect with our daily cultural traditions, oral history performance, ritual, popular memory, skills and techniques, indigenous knowledge systems and the holistic approach to nature, society, and social relationships. Heritage plays an important role in promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, reconciliation, peace, and economic development. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected some aspects of our cultural practices. These include restrictions on burial practices, our grieving processes, not being able to visit the sick in hospitals, etc. Moreover, the social distancing in informal settlements and rural communities has been a challenge to the young and the old. To celebrate our diversity, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted a webinar with the Religious Sector to discuss these issues, how they have been affected, how they have gone around them and also take recommendations for the future.Item Wastewater surveillance in the Management of Covid 19: experiences from three Countries(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)Webinar presented and hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) on 31 August 2021. Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 RNA has emerged to be an important tool in the management of the disease. The viral RNA can be isolated in wastewater around one to two weeks before it is usually detected through human testing at community level. Direct correlations have been found between the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and the number of cases of COVID-19 in a particular wastewater catchment area, providing the basis for a COVID-19 Early Warning System. Being relatively affordable and reliable, the tool appears to be particularly valuable in settings where epidemiological data are not available, to establish and adjust public health management strategies. In this webinar, the experiences, challenges encountered, and lessons learned in the course of rolling out wastewater surveillance programmes in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Nigeria are discussed, including preliminary information on the tracking of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater.