South Africa Needs Larger Health Care Work Force, New York Times Letter Says
"The need for more South African health care professionals is crucial" to curbing the spread of AIDS in that country, Alfie DeMoss, vice president of the group Medical Education for South African Blacks, writes in a letter to the New York Times. "Increasing federal spending on AIDS in Africa, while imperative, should not be our only response" to the epidemic, DeMoss adds, noting that effective delivery of treatment and preventive care for South Africans also depends on "well educated and trained" South African health professionals. DeMoss notes that her organization has been working with South African educational institutions for more than 16 years to "increase the number of doctors, nurses and midwives who live and work in the poor and rural communities most devastated by the disease" (DeMoss, New York Times, 6/1).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.