Thandeka Teyise

Women's Health

Disabled women rise to the challenge

Although life is tough, a group of women from rural areas who are living in Khayelitsha say their disabled status won't get them down. They are taking courses in adult basic education to complete missed years of their education at primary and high schools and are producing handcrafts for sale. Theresa Lorenzo, a researcher in Occupational Health at the University of Cape Town, says many women in her research group became disabled as a consequence of domestic violence.

Thandeka Teyise
December 19, 2001

Health

Drugs reduce AIDS deaths by 60% – doctor claims

Antiretroviral drugs have made a significant improvement to the life expectancy of many people living with HIV/AIDS in Western countries. Although there is still no cure for the disease, Professor Robin Weiss of the Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences at University College London, says antiretroviral drugs have reduced the number of AIDS-related deaths by 60 percent.

Thandeka Teyise
November 29, 2001

Health Systems

Indigenous plants might provide malaria cure

The Indigenous Knowledge System unit at the Medical Research Council, headed by Dr Gilbert Matsabisa has identified two plants that might provide a cure for malaria. At this stage the researchers don't wish to name the plants but they are optimistic that they will prove to be suitable candidates for a "permanent cure". In this audio report Dr Matsabisa also emphasises the need to work with traditional healers to allow scientists to find out more about traditional medicines.

Thandeka Teyise
November 16, 2001

Health

Thankful for anti-retrovirals that brought his life back

For most South Africans anti-retorviral drugs are unaffordable from private doctors and unavailable through the public health system. Like all drugs they have side effects, but taken under correct medical supervision they can be life-saving.

Thandeka Teyise
November 16, 2001

Mental Health

Healing for the heart

The legacy of apartheid has left many wounds - mental, physical and emotional. On November 11, the Eastern Cape town of Cradock will host the launch of a film about one of its former citizens who has travelled a long journey to come to terms with the pain and anger she felt following the murder of her husband. The film, "Nyameka's Story" is based on the life of Nyameka Goniwe and the process she has undergone since her husband, UDF leader Matthew Goniwe, was killed by security forces in 1985. Thandeka Teyise spoke to her about her healing process.

Thandeka Teyise
November 11, 2001

Health

Fighting ignorance & denial with information & understanding

Nozuko Ngcaweni, a young mother who was diagnosed HIV positive two years ago, says people should work together to understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and stop blaming those who live with the virus.

Thandeka Teyise
November 5, 2001

Health

Health official condemns rape of girls by older men

The head of the HIV/AIDS directorate in the Department of Health, Dr Nono Simelela, has spoken out strongly against the increase in HIV infection and pregnancy among girls under 18 who are being forced into having sex by older men. She has urged communities to work together to protect their children and communities against HIV/AIDS. This report is in isiXhosa.

Thandeka Teyise
October 29, 2001

Women's Health

State hospital makes births more homely

One of the biggest state maternity hospitals in the Western Cape has opened a new unit to allow woman to give birth in a more comfortable and homely environment. For a fee, the new Active Birth Unit at the Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town offers women the chance to give birth in a warm room with soft music playing instead of in a congested ward. This audio report is in isiXhosa.

Thandeka Teyise
October 26, 2001

Women's Health

Declare national emergency against rape, Dr tells Parliament

The appallingly high incidence of rape in South Africa must be addressed and effective measures implemented not only to treat rape survivors, but to drastically reduce the number of women and children who suffer this trauma. This is according to Dr Lynette Denny, a Specialist Gynaecologist at Groote Schuur Hospital who gave evidence to the Parliamentary health portfolio committee recently. This audio report in isiXhosa and English.

Thandeka Teyise
October 5, 2001

Health

Research continues for AIDS vaccine

South African scientists, with colleagues around the world, are actively engaged in the search for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. Researchers at universities and at the National Institute for Virology of South Africa are both partners and competitors in their bid to find the critical vaccine. This audio report in Xhosa explains more about the process and who's involved.

Thandeka Teyise
August 31, 2001

Health

Preaching the gospel of care and support

A recent conference has called on the church to play an important and meaningful role in educating people about HIV/AIDS as well as offering much-needed support to people who are infected and affected by the virus.

Thandeka Teyise
June 5, 2001

Health

Tutu – TB can be beaten

Every 40 minutes tuberculosis (TB) kills one South African. Some 160 000 people are infected annually in South Africa and worldwide about eight million people suffer from the disease. Former head of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu contracted TB in 1947, spent nearly two years in hospital, but survived to tell the tale. Today he is part of a campaign to de-stigmatise TB and promote the principle that the treatment and cure of TB is a basic human right.

Thandeka Teyise
March 23, 2001

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