Guidelines
51 entriesNDoH Primary Healthcare STG
- Paediatric EmergenciesCertain emergencies of the airway, breathing, circulation and neurological system are dealt with in the respiratory, cardiac, and nervous system chapters. All doctors should ensure that they have received appropriate training in at least providing basic (and preferably advanced) life support to children. Rapid triage of children presenting with acute conditions in clinics and CHCs Click here for→
- PainSee Pain chapter sections: Pain Control Acute Pain Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Chronic Cancer Pain Breakthrough Pain Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-2024_Version 1.0_07 November 2024 Chapter 22: Medicines Used in Palliative Care_22.3 Pain→
- Pain ControlPlease click on the link below to access the most up-to-date version of this guideline. The content on this page is currently being updated to align with the latest publication. Always check the version number at the bottom of the screen to confirm which version you are using. Click here to access the Primary_Healthcare_Chapter_20_Pain_with_supporting_NEMLC_Report_2025-9_Review_Version_1.0_(26_Fe→
- Painful Red EyeEye Conditions→
- Papular Pruritic EruptionDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment L29.8 DESCRIPTION Itchy inflamed papules at different stages of evolution. Healed lesions are often hyperpigmented. The itch is difficult to manage. May flare after starting ART, but generally improves as the CD4 count increases. It is essential to exclude scabies. GENERAL MEASURES Minimise exposure to insect bites, e.g. by regularly dipping p→
- Papular UrticariaAllergies→
- ParkisonismCentral Nervous System Conditions→
- Paronychia, AcuteNail and Nailfold Infections→
- Paronychia, ChronicNail and Nailfold Infections→
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rates (PEF Charts)Peak Expiratory Flow Rates→
- Perianal AbscessesDescription General Measures ICD-10 code: K61.0-4 DESCRIPTION An abscess adjacent to the anus. Caused by organisms spreading through the wall of the anus into peri-anal soft tissues. Presents as an indurated or tender area adjacent to the anus. GENERAL MEASURES Treatment is by surgical drainage. Treat associated pain (See: Acute Pain ). Click here to access the pdf . Click here for the&nbs→
- Perinatal Depression and/or AnxietyDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral O28.8-9/ O90.9 + (F32.0-3/F32.8-9/ F33.0-4/F33.8-9/F34.1/F53.0-1/F53.8-9) DESCRIPTION See Depressive disorders and Anxiety disorders , for symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Note that these conditions may occur together in the same person. Depression and /or anxiety may be antenatal or postpartum. Postpartum depression usually beg→
- Perinatal Transmission of Hepatitis BDescription Medicine treatment P00.2 DESCRIPTION Babies born to mothers with acute hepatitis B infection at the time of delivery or to mothers who are HBsAg-positive or HBeAg-positive. MEDICINE TREATMENT Hepatitis B immunoglobulin, IM, 0.5 mL within 12 hours of delivery. LoE:IVb 37 AND Hepatitis B vaccine, IM, 0.5 mL, first dose within 12 hours of delivery. Continue hepatitis B immunisation→
- PeriodontitisICD-10 codes: K05.2 / K05.3 Description General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral DESCRIPTION Progressive gingivitis to the point where the underlying bone is eroded. It is characterised by loose teeth and is a cause of tooth loss in adults. GENERAL MEASURES Provide advice on improving and maintaining oral hygiene Brush teeth frequently, at least twice daily MEDICINE TREATMENT→
- Peripheral NeuropathyCentral Nervous System Conditions→
- Pityriasis RoseaPityriasis Rosea→
- Plane WartsWarts→
- Plantar WartsWarts→
- Pneumocystis PneumoniaPneumonia in Adults→
- PneumoniaRespiratory Infections→
- Pneumonia in AdultsSee Uncomplicated pneumonia See Pneumonia in adults with underlying medical conditions or >65 years of age See Severe pneumonia See Pneumocystis pneumonia Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-4-Version 1.0_16 September 2024 Chapter 17: Respiratory Conditions_17.3. Respiratory→
- Pneumonia in Adults with Underlying Medical Conditions or >65 Years of AgePneumonia in Adults→
- Pneumonia in ChildrenRespiratory Infections→
- Pneumonia, BacterialSee: Respiratory infections . Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare_V1.0_26 February 2026 Chapter 11: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV AND AIDS)_11.3 Opportunistic Infections, Treatment in Adult_11.3.13 Pneumonia, Bacterial→
- Pneumonia, PneumocystisSee: Pneumocystis pneumonia . Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare_V1.0_26 February 2026 Chapter 11: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV AND AIDS)_11.3 Opportunistic Infections, Treatment in Adult_11.3.14 Pneumonia, Pneumocystis→
- Post Exposure ProphylaxisPlease click on the link below to access the most up-to-date version of this guideline. The content on this page is currently being updated to align with the latest publication. Always check the version number at the bottom of the screen to confirm which version you are using. Click here to access the Primary Health Care - PHC Chapter 11: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficienc→
- Post Exposure Prophylaxis, Inadvertent (Non-Occupational)ICD-10 code: Z29.8 + Z20.5 + Z20.2 + Z20.6 DESCRIPTION Inadvertent (non-occupational) exposure to infectious material from HIV and hepatitis B sero-positive persons often requires clinical judgement and includes: human bites (requires hepatitis B, but not HIV prophylaxis) sharing of needles during recreational drug use consensual sexual exposure, burst condoms contact sports with blood exposure M→
- Post Exposure Prophylaxis, OccupationalDescription General Measures Investigations Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: Z20.6 + Z20.5 + (Z57.8+X58.92+Z29.8) DESCRIPTION Post exposure prophylaxis may prevent the risk of acquiring HIV and hepatitis B following a significant occupational exposure to infectious material from a patient (includes blood, CSF, semen, vaginal secretions and synovial/pleural/pericardial/→
- Post Exposure Prophylaxis, Rape and Sexual AssaultDescription General Measures Investigations Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: Z29.8 + Z20.5 + Z20.2 + Z20.6 DESCRIPTION Sexual offences are of grave concern and in particular to the most vulnerable persons including women, children and disabled persons. Sexual offences are physically and psychologically damaging to victims. The definitions of sexual offences are within the Cr→
- Post-Herpes Zoster Neuropathy (Post Herpetic Neuralgia)Post-herpes Zoster Neuropathy (Post Herpetic Neuralgia)→
- Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)Description General measures Medicine treatment Referral O72.0-3 DESCRIPTION Primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is blood loss >500 mL that occurs within 24 hours of birth. Secondary PPH occurs 24 hours to 12 weeks after delivery (late or delayed PPH). The most common cause of primary PPH is an atonic uterus. GENERAL MEASURES Massage fundus and expel clots from vagina. Empty the bladder. Two→
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP)Please click on the link below to access the most up-to-date version of this guideline. The content on this page is currently being updated to align with the latest publication. Always check the version number at the bottom of the screen to confirm which version you are using. Click here to access the Primary Health Care - PHC Chapter 11: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficienc→
- Pre-eclampsiaDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral O11/O14.0-2/O14.9 DESCRIPTION A systolic BP ≥ 140 and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg with proteinuria, after 20 weeks of pregnancy (significant proteinuria defined as ≥ 1+ proteinuria). Pre-eclampsia with severe features is a life-threatening condition and needs urgent stabilisation and referral. The following indicate a higher risk of dev→
- Pregnancy, EctopicSee: Ectopic pregnancy . Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2025-9_Version 1.0_26 March 2026 Chapter 6: Obstetrics and Gynaecology_6.1.1 Pregnancy, Ectopic→
- Pressure Ulcers/ SoresSee: Pressure ulcers/sores . Click here to access the pdf . Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-2024_Version 1.0_07 November 2024 Chapter 22: Medicines Used in Palliative Care_22.5 Pressure Ulcers/Sores→
- Pressure Ulcers/ SoresPressure Ulcers/Sores→
- Preterm Labour (PTL) and Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)Preterm labour (PTL) Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) Prelabour rupture of membranes at term (PROM) PRETERM LABOUR (PTL) O60.0 DESCRIPTION Regular painful contractions: 3 per 10 minutes, occurring < 37 weeks of gestation. Note: Women with a previous spontaneous preterm delivery are at higher risk for preterm delivery in the next pregnancy. Refer the following high-risk case→
- Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and AtherosclerosisPrevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and Atherosclerosis→
- Primary Health Care Medicine Reviews 2020 - 2023 (Infections and related conditions)The National Essential Medicine List Committee (NEMLC) performs reviews of the evidence for proposed treatment options for Infections and related conditions: The Committee has evaluated evidence for: Primaquine for Malaria Elimination Doxycycline as Malaria Prophylaxis Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare Level, Updated for the 2023→
- Prostate CancerUrology→
- ProstatitisGlomerular disease→
- PsoriasisPsoriasis→
- Psychiatric Patients - General Monitoring and CareDescription Recommendations for Specific Medicines Description Nursing staff are required to monitor users with serious mental illness between medical or psychiatric doctor visits. Regular monitoring with documented nursing notes in the file should occur monthly to 6- monthly depending on the severity of the illness and the risk of relapse, aggression, absconding or poor adherence, with referral→
- Psychosis: IntroductionDescription Psychosis is characterised by a loss of contact with reality, and may present with: Delusions: Fixed, unshakeable, false beliefs which are not in keeping with a person’s society, culture, or religion. Beliefs may be persecutory, referential, grandiose, religiose, erotic, or bizarre in nature. Hallucinations: Perceptual disturbances, e.g. auditory hallucinations, which are heard as voi→
- Pubic Lice (PL)Sexually Transmitted Infections→
- Puerperal SepsisDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral O85/O86.0-4/O86.8 DESCRIPTION Clinical features include a temperature ≥ 38°C (usually ≥ 2 days after delivery), often accompanied by offensive vaginal discharge (lochia) and/or abdominal pain within the first 10 days postpartum. In post caesarean section (CS) cases, there may additionally be tenderness around the CS wound and offensive→
- Pulmonary Oedema, AcuteCardiac Failure, Congestive (CCF)→
- Pulmonary Oedema, AcuteDescription Emergency Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: J81 DESCRIPTION A life-threatening condition with abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Common causes include acute heart failure and acute renal failure (e.g. acute nephritis). Persons with pulmonary oedema may present similarly to acute bronchospasm. It is important to distinguish this condition from an acute attack of asthma. EMERGEN→
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)Pulmonary Tuberculosis→
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) in AdultsPulmonary Tuberculosis→