Guidelines
437 entriesNDoH Primary Healthcare STG
- Myocardial Infarction, Acute (AMI)/ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)Myocardial Infarction, Acute (AMI)/ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)→
- NEMLC Recommendations for medicine amendments (2020-2023 Review Cycle)South African Primary Healthcare Level Essential Medicine List. Medicine amendment recommendations, with supporting evidence and rationale are listed below. Kindly review the medicine amendments in the context of the respective standard treatment guideline (STG). NEMLC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDICINE AMENDMENTS (2020-2023 REVIEW CYCLE) Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for S→
- Nail Infections - Tinea UnguiumNail and Nailfold Infections→
- Nappy RashNappy Rash→
- Nausea and VomitingGastrointestinal Conditions→
- Nausea and Vomiting, Non-specificDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: R11 DESCRIPTION There are many possible causes of nausea and vomiting. Some important causes to exclude are: gastro-intestinal disease alcohol abuse liver disease early pregnancy renal failure medicines Establish if the vomiting is associated with: abdominal pain headache diarrhoea constipation Establish if the vomiting is asso→
- Necrotising PeriodontitisICD-10 code: K05.2 Description General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral DESCRIPTION An acute, very painful infection of the gingival margin. It is characterised by: foul smelling breath. necrosis and sloughing of the gum margin, especially of the interdental papillae. loss of gingiva and supporting bone around teeth. May lead to disease of surrounding lips and cheeks if not adequately t→
- Neonatal ResuscitationMedicine treatment P29.8 Be prepared Be at the delivery Check the equipment and emergency medicines Follow the algorithm at the end of this section. Check that each step has been effectively applied before proceeding to the next step. The algorithm follows the assumption that the previous step was unsuccessful and the baby is deteriorating. Use oxygen concentration that alleviates central c→
- Nephritic SyndromeGlomerular disease→
- Nephrotic SyndromeGlomerular disease→
- Neuroleptic Malignant SyndromeDescription General measures Referral ICD-10 code: G21.0 + (T43.0-6/T43.8-9) Description Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially fatal syndrome characterised by a tetrad of fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental state, and autonomic dysfunction. An altered mental state with confusion, delirium, or stupor may precede other clinical signs of NMS. Suspect if there is a history→
- NeuropathyCentral Nervous System→
- Nose Bleed (Epistaxis)Description Management Referral ICD-10 code: R04.0 DESCRIPTION Nose bleed may be caused by local or systemic diseases, or local trauma, especially nose picking, and occurs from an area anterior and inferior to the nasal septum. Consider other conditions associated with nosebleeds, especially if recurrent, e.g. hypertension and bleeding tendency. MANAGEMENT Acute episode Control bleeding by pinchi→
- Not growing well (including failure to thrive/growth faltering) *New*ICD-10 codes: R62.0 / R62.8 / R62.9 Description General measures Conditions which justify recommending that mothers do not breastfeed Medicine treatment Referral DESCRIPTION Children and infants who have either: Unsatisfactory weight gain (growth curve flattening or weight loss) on the Road to Health chart/ booklet. OR Low weight for age (but WHZ > -2) Note: Babies who were premature and→
- Nutrition and Anaemia NEMLC recommendations for medicine amendments (2020-2023 review cycle) *New*South African Primary Healthcare Essential Medicine List & Standard Treatment Guidelines. NEMLC Recommendations for Medicine Amendments (2020-2023 Review Cycle). Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare Level, Updated for the 2023 Edition→
- Obesity in DiabetesCardiovascular Risk in Diabetes→
- Open Multi-Dose Vial PolicyInjection safety Opened vials of TT HepB and OPV vaccines: May be used in subsequent immunisation sessions for a maximum of one month , if each of the following conditions have been met: The expiry date has not passed Each vial must be dated when opened The vaccines are stored under appropriate cold chain conditions (2–8°C with temperature monitoring and recording) The vaccine vial septum ha→
- Opportunistic Infections, Prophylaxis in ChildrenPlease 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→
- Opportunistic Infections, Treatment in ChildrenPlease 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→
- Oral (Contraception, Hormonal)Monophasic preparations Triphasic preparations Contraindications and guidance to starting the hormonal oral pill Medicine interactions Referral Z30.0/Z30.4 Dual contraception with barrier methods, are recommended to reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV. Monophasic preparations Progestin only pills, e.g.: Levonorgestrel, oral, 30 mcg daily LoE:IIIa 18 Progestins and estrogen, fixed combinations,→
- Osteoarthrosis (Osteoarthritis)Osteoarthrosis (Osteoarthritis)→
- Other VaccinesTT (Tetanus Toxoid) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Hepatitis B Influenza Vaccine TT (Tetanus Toxoid) Z23.5 Protects against tetanus (post trauma) TT, IM, 0.5 mL into arm Storage: Fridge: middle shelf at 2–8°C. Easily damaged by freezing. Keep opened vials for next session if kept at correct temperature and not contaminated. Discard after 30 days. Record date of reconstitution. Co→
- Otitis ExternaOtitis→
- Otitis Media, AcuteOtitis→
- Otitis Media, Chronic, SuppurativeOtitis→
- Overweight and ObesityICD-10 codes: E66.0 / E66.8 / E66.9 Description General measures Referral DESCRIPTION Overweight and obesity are abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults (> 19 years). It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of→
- 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→