A pregnant woman says she was left waiting for up to 30 minutes at the entrance of the  Frontier Hospital in Komani in the Eastern Cape after security guards allegedly refused to open the gate for the ambulance carrying her – while private cars and even a pizza delivery scooter were allowed through.  The Eastern Cape Department of Health has apologised to the patient and says it is investigating the incident. Thornhill resident Lerato Mzwakali, who is six months pregnant, told Health-e News she was being rushed from the local Thornhill clinic to see a specialist last Wednesday after nurses warned she could lose her unborn child if she did not get urgent care. In video footage seen by Health-e News and recorded by Mzwakali’s boyfriend at the time, the ambulance can be seen waiting outside the hospital entrance while security guards remain at the gate. “I was in deep, hurtful pain.” “We don’t know why they didn’t want to open the gate because they kept on saying ‘ask the driver’ when we asked them why they don’t want to let us in. The ambulance stayed there for 25 to 30 minutes,” says Mzwakali. Private vehicles allowed through What angered Mzwakali most was watching the gate open for others while her ambulance waited with an emergency patient inside. “What surprises me is that they opened for private cars and other transports, the Debonairs Pizza’s scooter, but they did not want to let the ambulance in at that time because it’s carrying a patient inside that requires emergency attention,” she says. Mzwakali says the ambulance had fetched her from a local clinic and it took about 15 minutes to get to Thornhill, before heading to Frontier Hospital. “I thought I’d get a miscarriage because the nurses told me I need to see a specialist in the situation I’m in. They said if I don’t make it in time I might lose my child.” When she finally gained entry, Mzwakali says she developed complications but was stabilised by doctors. “I was discharged the same day. I was given medication and told to go home. I am currently at home and I believe the doctor helped me,” she says. Health Department launches investigation Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Siyanda Manana says there was no strike by security guards at the hospital. Manana says hospital management met with both EMS and the security company following the incident.  “We are not aware that the security guards are on strike. That has not been brought to our attention. For security guards to bar an ambulance from entering, that is something very, very unfortunate that we are going to investigate,” Manana told Health-e News.  “We have called the management of EMS as well as the management of the security company to get to the bottom of the problem, so that an incident of this nature does not recur again. We apologise to the patients for the incident, and we assure them that it’s not going to happen again.” After the meeting, Manana said there had been an earlier altercation at the gate on the same day between the same EMS crew and security before the video was taken. “There was no strike action by the security guards. Earlier before the video was taken, there was an incident between the same EMS staff and the security guards in terms of accessing the gate.”  Manana says in an emergency, EMS crews must use their sirens at the gate to gain quicker access. “The matter is still being attended though as the patient was inconvenienced.”  Frontier Hospital is the main referral hospital for the Chris Hani District and serves thousands of patients from Komani, Thornhill and surrounding rural areas. The health facility has previously faced complaints about pressure on its services. In October 2025, local outlet Komani News reported allegations of staff shortages, overcrowding and lengthy waits for treatment at the hospital. Health-e News reported earlier this month on broader problems affecting emergency medical services in the Eastern Cape, where patients described long waits for ambulances while vehicles in the provincial fleet remained grounded. Meanwhile Mzwakali told Health-e News she has not experienced any further complications since the incident. She expects to deliver her baby at Frontier Hospital in November. Author Tembile Sgqolana View all posts

A Limpopo mother says her seven-year-old daughter, who has a developmental disability, was raped by a person known to the community, yet the family is still waiting for an arrest. The incident happened on 21 August at Makaepea village in the Senwabarwana area in Limpopo. The child was taken to Helen Franz Hospital immediately afterwards, but her mother says she’s struggled to access subsequent medical or psychological support since she could not afford the transport needed to return to the hospital. The mother also says the alleged perpetrator has not been arrested and the child encountered him after the traumatic incident.  “The incident happened when I accompanied my 18-year-old daughter to apply for a smart ID card. I received a call from my son who informed me that a man who is known to us had accosted my daughter while she was on her way to the shop, dragged her to the nearby bushes and raped her. Other community members had already rushed to the scene and the perpetrator ran away. My daughter was immediately taken to hospital.”  The mother says hospital staff examined her daughter, ran tests and gave her post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The mother was asked to return to the hospital later that month but does not have the R250 return trip transport money for her and her daughter. “Since then, my daughter has never received any medical checkup by a medical doctor or psychosocial support from social workers. There are no doctors and social workers at the nearby Maleboho clinic.”  “Since the rape incident, my child’s wellbeing has deteriorated. She cries at night and could spend the rest of the day without talking to anyone. One day she saw the perpetrator and cried for several hours – day and night.” ‘We live in fear’ The mother says the case was reported to police and the suspect’s identity is known to them, but he remains at large. “We have given the police the identity of the man since my son and other community members saw him fleeing the scene of the crime. I personally opened the rape case but what shocks me is that this man is still not arrested. We live in fear while this man is enjoying his freedom like nothing horrible has happened,” says the mother. ““We live in fear while this man is enjoying his freedom” Professor Angie Maphula, a clinical psychologist from the University of Venda, says rape victims often experience long-term psychological effects including nightmares and flashbacks.  “The child is likely to struggle to concentrate and have withdrawal symptoms. This is part of  post-traumatic stress disorder and could take a long time if the victim does not get any psychosocial support.” Limpopo Health and Social Development departments respond Neil Shikwambana, the spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Health, says immediate treatment involves testing and providing PEP. “Post-rape treatment involves not only medication but trauma counselling done by a psychologist and is not a once-off therapy. The follow-up care is dependent on the injuries sustained and is discussed between the victim and the clinical team, a psychologist or a social worker. “These services are only offered at a therapeutic environment like a hospital, which is unfortunate as local clinics don’t offer them,” says Shikwambana. The department says it can’t provide transport for the child’s follow-up care because its ambulances are primarily used for critical emergencies and inter-facility transfers. The family therefore would have to arrange and pay for transport to the hospital.  The spokesperson for the provincial Department of Social Development, Vongani Chauke, advised the matter will be investigated to ensure that the victim receives the necessary help. Following enquiries from Health-e News, the department sent a social worker to the child’s home to provide psychosocial support to her and affected family members. Suspect still at large Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, confirmed that a case of rape was opened at Maleboho police station. “A 14-year-old boy alleges that he found a known suspect who resides in the same village busy raping his seven year-old sister in the nearby bushes,” Ledwaba says.  According to Ledwaba the suspect fled when he was approached and has not been arrested. “Efforts have been intensified to trace him.” Support and emergency helplines Author Moyahabo Mabeba Moyahabo Mabeba is an all-round reporter whose journalism career spans almost three decades. He has worked for several national publications and is a former editor of The Journal newspaper. His reporting has a strong human-interest focus, particularly on the experiences of vulnerable communities. A softball fanatic, he also works in marketing and publicity in sporting circles. View all posts

For 15 years, Maria Sikhosana from Orange Farm has relied on family members to take phone calls, listen to messages and help her communicate when she needs healthcare.  The 43-year-old single mother of 12-year-old twins says she lost her hearing at the age of 28 after she was assaulted by her boyfriend in 2010. Since then, accessing hearing care has been a struggle because of miscommunication and uncertainty about medical referrals, while depending on relatives to communicate on her behalf.  “I lost my hearing in 2010 after I was beaten by my boyfriend. Three days after the beating I started to hear uncomfortable ringing sounds in my ears. I ignored the sounds, in days my hearing was slowly disappearing and I decided to go and consult at the local clinic,” says Maria.  After a check-up at her local clinic in Orange Farm, nurses gave her a referral letter to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (Bara), where she was assessed and began receiving care from a specialist. Sikhosana says she was close to receiving a hearing aid when communication with the hospital broke down.  Because Maria could not hear phone calls, she gave the hospital her sister’s number so her sister could receive messages about follow-up appointments on her behalf. However, Maria’s sister lost her phone and the call for a follow-up appointment never reached her.   “I was scared to go back and report about the loss of my sister’s phone, I thought nurses would lash at me for missing the call and the follow-up appointment. Again missing an appointment would have meant waiting again to be contacted and start the queue from afresh,” says Maria. ‘I have to navigate life in my own silence’ This year, after 15 years, Sikhosana tried at least three times to get help through her local clinics. In June, when she went to her local clinic with ear pain, a nurse examined her, gave her pain medicine and sent her home without referring her for further hearing assessment.  Sikhosana says in August she went to Stratform Community Health Centre in Orange Farm where she obtained a referral to the ear clinic at Bara. But she went there on a Wednesday, only to discover the clinic opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sikhosana says she now has to save money for another return trip.  Sikhosana’s hearing loss has affected her independence. She depends on family members to help her with phone calls and voice messages, and with job opportunities.  “I can’t communicate, even when I go out to shops I have to always be with someone, in the absence of that someone I have to navigate life alone in my own silence.” Locked out hearing world and the deaf community The Deaf-Care Healthcare Initiative South Africa (DCHI) says communication is one of the most critical barriers affecting how deaf people and people with hearing loss can access healthcare.  DCHI’s Seneliso Nkoyeni says Sikhosana is particularly vulnerable because she experienced hearing loss as an adult and does not use South African Sign Language (SASL).  “An adult who became deaf 15 years ago post-GBV and does not know SASL represents the most vulnerable intersection,” says Nkoyeni. “She is locked out of both the hearing world and the deaf community, and the public health system has no protocol for her.” Nkonyeni says relying on family members or other people to communicate can also compromise a patient’s privacy and independence. “Her communication challenge is not just about language, but about profound isolation,” says Nkoyeni.  “Without SASL, limited English or vernacular language literacy, and ineffective lip-reading abilities, the trauma of GBV makes relying on male family members or random interpreters unsafe and re-traumatising. This is why she has slipped through the cracks for 15 years.” Gold standard must be language-independent Nkoyeni says for someone in Sikhosana’s position, healthcare cannot depend solely on SASL. “The gold standard must be trauma-informed and language-independent. Medically, this means starting with a qualified audiologist and ENT for a full audiological workup, but delivered via visual communication boards, gestures, and a trained female Deaf Relay interpreter or intermediary not SASL alone.” Following her account, DCHI has offered to help her access care. Representatives from the organisation plan to accompany her to an audiology clinic in Lenasia for an assessment, and provide communication support. Sikhosana says she is hopeful to get the hearing care she first sought 15 years ago.  “It has been a struggle to get the service and support I need so that I can live normal again. It has been a long silent 15 years.” Author Lerato Kodisang Lerato Kodisang is a journalist with experience engaging communities through civil society and local platforms at district and provincial level. She is passionate about health and people-centred reporting that centres lived experiences and gives voice to issues that matter to communities. View all posts

As we head into the warmer summer months and spend more time outdoors, protecting our skin from sun damage becomes increasingly important. Skin cancer can begin with a small change that is easy to overlook: a sore that does not heal, a new growth, a patch that repeatedly crusts or bleeds, or a mole that starts changing. Who is at risk? Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin colour. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important preventable cause of skin cancer.  The World Health Organisation added broad-spectrum sunscreen to its Model List of Essential Medicines in 2025 for the prevention of skin cancer. In an op-ed published by Health-e News, Professor Chrysis Sofianos, Academic Head of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of the Witwatersrand, warned that seemingly minor skin changes can become more difficult to treat if ignored. Sofianos says people with albinism are particularly vulnerable because they have reduced or absent melanin, which normally provides some protection from UV radiation.  What to look out for, and how to reduce your risk? Protection is only half the picture. Skin cancer does not always look dramatic or cause pain. Regularly looking at your own skin can make it easier to notice something new or changing. What are the warning signs? Early detection is important, and any suspicious changes in your skin should be examined by a healthcare professional. When should you see a healthcare professional? Don’t wait for a suspicious skin change to become painful. According to Sofiano, skin cancers can initially be painless, and early lesions can resemble ordinary sores, spots or moles. If you notice a persistent new growth, a sore that does not heal, repeated bleeding or crusting, or a spot or mole that is changing, have it assessed by a healthcare professional. Early detection matters. Sofiano says skin cancers found at an earlier stage are generally easier to treat, while delayed diagnosis can mean more extensive treatment. Consistent sun protection and paying attention to changes in the skin can reduce the risk of serious UV damage and help suspicious lesions get assessed sooner. Author Health-e News Health-e News is South Africa’s dedicated public health news service and home to OurHealth citizen journalism. Follow us on Twitter @HealtheNews View all posts

Professor Chrysis Sofianos, Academic Head of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of the Witwatersrand, urges South Africans not to ignore the small skin changes that could eventually require major treatment and reconstruction. A sore that refuses to heal. A mole that starts changing. A small patch of skin that repeatedly bleeds or crusts. These changes can be easy to dismiss, but skin cancer is a potentially serious and life-threatening disease, and delaying assessment can allow even a small lesion to become considerably more difficult to treat. In September, South Africa observes Albinism Awareness Month, raising awareness of the health and social challenges faced by people living with albinism. Albinism is a genetic condition impacting the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for colour in the skin, hair, and eyes. Melanin also provides some natural protection against ultraviolet radiation, meaning people with albinism, who produce very little or no melanin, face a particularly high risk of sun damage and skin cancer. This makes ongoing sun protection and vigilance especially important. Albinism Awareness Month rightly draws attention to the greater vulnerability of people with albinism when it comes to sun exposure and skin cancer. The important message is to protect your skin and know what is normal for you so that you can have any concerning changes assessed early. Skin cancer can be difficult to spot Early recognition can, however, be more challenging in people with albinism. Some skin cancers may lack the pigmentation people commonly associate with suspicious lesions, making it especially important not to rely on colour alone when deciding whether a change needs medical attention. The month can also challenge the broader assumption that skin cancer is exclusively a disease of fairer skin. While darker skin and higher levels of melanin offer greater natural protection, this does not mean immunity. Certain forms of skin cancer can further occur in areas not typically exposed to the sun, including the soles of the feet, palms, and underneath the nails. Everyone should be familiar with their skin and pay attention when something changes, including in less obvious areas. If something doesn’t seem right, have it checked rather than dismissing it or trying to diagnose it yourself. Nearly 27,000 skin cancer cases recorded Demonstrating just how common skin cancers are, South Africa’s National Cancer Registry recorded 26,967 cases across three major skin cancer categories in 2024. These included basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, and melanoma. Additionally, the NCR ranked BCC as the second most common cancer among men and third among women, while SCC of the skin ranked third among men and fourth among women. Warning signs can include a new growth, a sore that repeatedly fails to heal, a lesion that bleeds or crusts, and changes in the size, shape or colour of an existing mole. The numbers matter because skin cancer can still be perceived as relatively uncommon or as something that will always be obvious when it develops. In reality, many lesions begin as something very small and seemingly insignificant. People may watch a lesion for months because it’s small, painless, or seems like an ordinary mole, sore, or sign of ageing. But the absence of pain doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about. When removing the cancer is only part of the treatment Skin cancers affecting the nose, eyelids, ears, scalp and other areas of the face may require the removal of enough tissue to treat the disease. Depending on the size and position of the resulting defect, reconstructive surgery may then be required to preserve function and appearance. People often think of plastic surgery purely in aesthetic terms, but reconstruction after cancer treatment is a significant part of the speciality. When cancer is removed from somewhere such as the nose, eyelid, or ear, we are not only considering how the wound closes. We have to think about restoring form and function, and achieving the best possible outcome for that patient. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I regularly manage patients requiring reconstruction after cancer removal The consequences of delayed diagnosis are clearly visible. Larger lesions may require wider removal and reconstruction, with greater potential for visible scarring or prolonged wound healing. This is another reason why fear of a scar should never deter someone from seeking assessment early. The earlier we can identify and appropriately treat a cancer, the better our chance of limiting how much tissue needs to be removed and how extensive the reconstruction may need to be. People with albinism may face an ongoing risk For people with albinism, their ongoing vulnerability to UV damage can compound their treatment burden. Some patients may develop more than one cancerous or precancerous lesion over time, and treatment is not always a once-off event. Careful follow-up, continued skin protection, and early assessment of new lesions remain important even after one cancer has been successfully treated. Albinism Awareness Month should therefore reinforce the special protection required by people with albinism while reminding all South Africans of the importance of identifying any suspicious skin changes early. For people with albinism, careful sun protection and regular attention to the skin are critically important. More broadly, if a lesion is changing, bleeding, repeatedly crusting, or failing to heal, don’t ignore it. Have it assessed. Author Prof. Chrysis Sofianos Professor Chrysis Sofianos is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and Academic Head of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of the Witwatersrand.  View all posts https://www.wits.ac.za/clinicalmed/departments/surgery/divisions/plastic-and-reconstructive-surgery/ Academic Head of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery