2 research outputs found
Cardiology–cardiothoracic subspeciality training in South Africa : a position paper of the South Africa Heart Association
Over the past decades, South Africa has undergone rapid
demographic changes, which have led to marked increases in
specific cardiac disease categories, such as rheumatic heart
disease (now predominantly presenting in young adults with
advanced and symptomatic disease) and coronary artery
disease (with rapidly increasing prevalence in middle age).
The lack of screening facilities, delayed diagnosis and inadequate
care at primary, secondary and tertiary levels have led
to a large burden of patients with heart failure. This leads to
suffering of the patients and substantial costs to society and
the healthcare system.
In this position paper, the South African Heart Association
(SA Heart) National Council members have summarised
the current state of cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and
paediatric cardiology reigning in South Africa. Our report
demonstrates that there has been minimal change in the
number of successfully qualified specialists over the last
decade and, therefore, a de facto decline per capita. We
summarise the major gaps in training and possible interventions
to transform the healthcare system, dealing with the
colliding epidemic of communicable disease and the rapidly
expanding epidemic of non-communicable disease, including
cardiac disease.http://www.cvja.co.zaam2016Cardiolog
Prey selection by a reintroduced lion population in the Greater Makalali Conservancy, South Africa
Lion prey selection was studied on the Greater Makalali Conservancy (140 km2), Limpopo Province, South Africa, in order to assist with management strategies. Monitoring was carried out between February 1998 and December 2001. Lion killed 15 species, with warthog, blue wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, kudu and waterbuck constituting approximately 75% of their diet. Between 2.2% and 3.1% of the available prey biomass was killed yearly, while each female equivalent unit (FEQ) killed between 3 kg and 3.2 kg daily. Lion predation was greater for warthog, wildebeest and waterbuck and less for impala than expected. When male lion were present, a greater number of warthog and giraffe were killed, while number of females had a significant effect on medium sized prey species and total prey species killed. Significantly more warthog, wildebeest and kudu were killed in winter than summer. More prey than expected was killed in open habitats and less than expected in thickets. Managers of small, enclosed reserves need to constantly monitor prey populations, especially medium sized prey and may be able to reduce predation on large prey species by manipulating male lion numbers. Reserves also need to contain adequate open habitats for lion to make use of these areas for hunting.Key words: Panthera leo, predation, management strategies, biomass, female equivalent unit