South Africa spends only 5% of its health budget on...
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90% of South Africans with mental illness go without care
South Africa spends only 5% of its health budget on mental health, and most of this is allocated to inpatient psychiatric and not community mental health services.
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Police vehicles are not equipped with emergency life-saving equipment and as such, transporting an injured patient with a police vehicle might worsen the injury and even worse.
Being exposed to loud noise over a long period of time is a major risk factor for hearing loss.
Sex workers face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and often experience discrimination and stigma within the healthcare system.
The department has been slow in providing updates, and would not confirm if the nurse has been suspended, or is still working, while the investigation is underway.
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Nomaswazi Zulu, a sex worker livig with HIV since 2018 used to travel over 100km for treatment. After doing this for 7 years, she couldn’t afford the trip anymore and tried a mobile clinic that was recommednded to her. ![]()
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But the mobile only gave her 2 weeks worth of ARVs and then never came around again. “When my medication finished I knew I couldn’t skip a day. I’m not virally suppressed, if I don’t take my meds I’ll infect others,” Zulu says. ![]()
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She decided to seek help at Gateway Clinic at Addington Hospital, but a nurse allegedly told her that giving her ARVs is a waste . She says she was told to “go work” and buy them herself.![]()
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Nomaswazi later got help at another clinic. Megan Lessing from the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce says sex workers face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and often experience discrimination and stigma within the healthcare system.![]()
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Have you ever been turned away from a healthcare facility? Share your story in the comments.![]()
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Sex workers needing referrals can call the SWEAT 24-hour helpline at 0800 60 60 60 or send a WhatsApp or please call me to 0713577632. ![]()
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#SexWorkersRights #accesstocare #healthnews
Durban Clinic Denies Sex Worker ARVs
health-e.org.za
Sex workers face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and often experience discrimination and stigma within the healthcare system.
DNA testing is one of the most powerful tools in the pursuit of justice, particularly in the case of rape or sexual assault. But South Africa is grappling with a staggering backlog of DNA testing on 140,000 rape cases, raising serious concerns.![]()
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From shortages of rape kits to outdated technology and broken procurement processes, the problems run deep.![]()
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Dr Vanessa Lynch, regional director for DNA for Africa, shares why there is an urgent need to strengthen forensic processes.![]()
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Read more below. ![]()
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#JusticeSystem #EndGBV #HealthNews #dnatesting
Forensic Expert Explains The Critical Role Of DNA Testing
health-e.org.za
DNA testing is one of the most powerful tools in the pursuit of justice, particularly in the case of rape or sexual assault.
Teachers are struggling with poor mental health and need support. ![]()
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An online survey of 1 500 teachers, conducted recently by Stellenbosch University showed that half of the participants indicated they plan to leave the profession within the next 10 years. ![]()
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Find out more from Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha (@The South African Depression and Anxiety Group) and Dr Heleen Hofmeyer (@Stellenbosch University): ![]()
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health-e.org.za/2025/04/29/stressed-and-overwhelmed-south-africas-teachers-are-ready-to-drop-out/ ![]()
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#mentalhealthsupport #teachers #southafrica
In May last year, Nontobeko* a high school teacher in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, became so overwhelmed by the demands of teaching that she was admitted to a mental health facility. ![]()
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Despite having done the job for more than ten years, she says she dreads it every day. ![]()
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"Teaching has become a nightmare. We are not just educators anymore, we are counsellors, social workers and administrators all while trying to manage classrooms," the 34-year-old tells Health-e News. ![]()
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Sakhi*, a 49-year-old Grade 10 and 12 teacher from Cofimvaba, says they often have to deal with parents who refuse to acknowledge their children’s psychological issues. ![]()
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"Instead, they blame teachers. We're constantly under pressure, and it builds up to the point where you feel completely trapped".![]()
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Click below to read more on the little to no mental health support teachers receive. health-e.org.za/2025/04/29/stressed-and-overwhelmed-south-africas-teachers-are-ready-to-drop-out/ ![]()
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The South African Depression and Anxiety Group Stellenbosch University ![]()
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#teachers #mentalhealthsupport #southafrica
Rape case attrition is the gradual dropping of cases before conviction. ![]()
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It looks at the number of rape cases reported to the police in comparison to the number of cases that actually go to trial and result in a conviction. ![]()
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Rape case attrition is deeply linked to how survivors’ identities, behaviours and circumstances are interpreted by police, prosecutors, and judges throughout the justice process. ![]()
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Read more here: health-e.org.za/2025/04/25/many-rape-survivors-wont-see-justice-due-to-gaps-in-the-system/ #EndGBV
Health Fact