65th Thuthuzela Care Centre opens in Mitchells Plain amidst South Africa’s ongoing battle against GBV
Beyond blood sugar: Understanding the full picture of diabetes
Siyabonga Kwanele Zuma has been living with Type 1 diabetes for over 15 years. The 27-year-old from Howick in Kwa-Zulu Natal was first introduced to the chronic condition in 2007 when his older sister was diagnosed with it. A year later…
27% of pregnant women in South Africa living with HIV – new survey
Findings from South Africa’s most recent Antenatal HIV Sentinel Survey show that more than a quarter (27.5%) of pregnant women in the country are living with HIV. This rate is still high, but it shows a decrease from the 30% prevalence recorded…
HIV and dating: watch Yanga’s story of navigating the two
Some people fear sharing their HIV status with a partner or someone they want to date will lead to rejection. In a conversation about dating and living with HIV, Yanga Gceya who has been living with HIV for 2 years,…
Constant exposure to violence weighs heavily on South Africans’ mental health
” My father was only 35 years old when we lost him. He and his brother were shot in a robbery,” recalls Chantel Grodes. She grew up in Hanover Park on the Cape Flats. “When we got to the scene…
Don’t fall for fakes: Here’s how to spot a bogus doctor
[This story was first published on 17 October 2023. It’s been updated to reflect the latest developments] Bogus health professionals have been a hot topic in South Africa lately. One of the more sensational is the story of ‘Tik Tok’…
Here’s what you need to know about breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Africa accounting for 22.6% of all female cancers. Men can also get breast cancer, with approximately 1% diagnosed. Health-e News spoke with Dr Diana Pillay, a radiation oncologist at…
Now you see me: how a NGO is tackling corneal blindness
Sesona Mehlala has dealt with poor eyesight for most of her life. The 27-year-old started wearing glasses at nine. But even with the spectacles she struggled to see. In 2015 she buckled under the financial and mental strain of frequent…
Arnetia Brown: my life with endometriosis
Arnetia Brown was diagnosed with endometriosis seven years ago. While she is on treatment living with the condition isn’t easy. She shares her experience with Health-e News in this video.
What is endometriosis? Why is it so hard to diagnose and treat?
Arnetia Brown got her first period when she was 13 and pain has been a regular part of her life since. “With my very first cycle my father found me passed out on the floor. I actually fainted because I…
Sleep hygiene: Understanding the role of light in rest
Have you ever wondered how the light around us affects our sleep? It turns out, the kind of light we’re exposed to can make a big difference in the quality of our sleep. The simple act of flipping a light…
Getting water is an arduous reality for Giyani resident
Access to water is a constitutional right in South Africa. Safe and readily available water is also important for public health. According to the World Health Organisation access to safe and adequate water supply is the cornerstone to preventing infections. Without enough water people are…
Video: Loadshedding and the added load of stress
South Africa is facing higher and extended periods of loadshedding. Beyond the inconvenience causes, the rolling black can be a source heightened stress. Long periods of experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety can trigger depression. We take a closer look:
Video: high functioning depression and how to spot it
High-functioning depression is not a clinical diagnosis and cannot be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) which is a handbook used by health professionals. The term is a colloquial term which has become increasingly popular…