The promises and pitfalls of working with a co-design approach for advancing health and gender equality: Perspectives from programme implementers, public health researchers and funders Globally and in South Africa, young people face significant sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges. In South Africa, young people (15-24) represent a significant proportion of people living with HIV and women were disproportionately affected. FIND OUT MORE Khayelitsha and Eastern Substructure (KESS) Research day The Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness (WCGHW), Khayelitsha Eastern Sub-structure (KESS) is hosting its 2025 Research Day under the theme “Health and Harmony: Ecosystems, Equity, and Evidence for Sustainable Well-being” which will take place on 31 October... FIND OUT MORE Vacancy: Manager - Pharmacovigilance in Southern Africa Initiative The School of Public Health and School of Pharmacy at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), in partnership with the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium are establishing a cutting-edge Pharmacovigilance in Southern Africa Initiative. FIND OUT MORE Faculty Of Community & Health | Sciences School of Public Health - Senior Lecturer What began as an academic visit quickly turned into a deeply personal and transformative journey, one that reconnected me with inspiring mentors, reminded me of shared struggles, and offered fresh perspectives on health systems, justice, and inequality. FIND OUT MORE
4 July 2025

Spotlight on UWC Public Health Research

We’re proud to celebrate Tinashe Zigomo, a PhD student at the UWC School of Public Health, whose proposal on “Barriers and solutions to accessing essential breast cancer medicines in low-resource settings” received a positive review from the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium as part of their PhD Light Review process.
22 April 2025

68th Annual General Meeting and 37th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP).

The School of Public Health attended the 68th Annual General Meeting and 37th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP). Represented by Prof Renier Coetzee and Dr Hazel Bradley, the School show cased their contributions to public health pharmacy and transformative healthcare practices.
22 April 2025

Celebrating Excellence: 52 Graduates Honored at UWC School of Public Health

On the 14th of April 2025, the University of the Western Cape’s School of Public Health (SOPH) celebrated a remarkable milestone: the graduation of 52 students who have dedicated their academic journey to advancing public health and equity. Among them were two PhD graduates, 25 Master of Public Health graduates, and 25 Postgraduate Diploma graduates. This event marked not only the culmination of years of rigorous study but also the beginning of their impactful contributions to healthier, more just societies.
18 March 2025

What do I do with expired medicine? Don’t use it, for a start…

Proper medicine disposal is a critical yet often overlooked issue in South Africa. In a recent article published in The Conversation, Prof Coetzee highlights the risks associated with expired medicines, emphasizing the need for safer disposal practices to protect public health and the environment.