On paper, it might seem simple. Eat less unhealthy food, exercise more, and you’ll avoid obesity. But for many South Africans, the reality is far more complicated. According to the World Obesity Observatory, more than 32% of adults in South…
Nneka Mahote, 32, is excited about her evolving body. Her breasts, now a C-cup bra size, have grown fuller and her skin feels softer. Her hips, too, are beginning to take shape. Over the past four years, she has been…
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of gender-based violence, affecting 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men globally. Research suggests that childhood experiences of violence may play a significant role in its development. A South…
Frequent water cuts are a harsh reality for many poor communities in South Africa, like Klipfontein View in Midrand, where residents recently endured three months without running water. For families relying on water trucks, the supply is often unreliable and…
Nombuyiselo Mapongwana lived through some of the darkest days of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. No ARVs, no government support – but she never gave up. In 1997, Nombuyiselo was diagnosed with HIV. Five years later, she was living…
We took to the streets of Cape Town to test people’s knowledge about HIV, rewarding those who got all the answers right with R100! Watch the video to find out who aced it – and who fell short. Think you…
Water, sanitation, and hygiene are the cornerstones of public health. Unfortunately, the basics are still lacking at some public clinics across the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. Health-e’s community journalists visited 31 clinics across 3 provinces, speaking to over 300…
Imagine waiting in long queues at a primary health facility, only to be met with dirty toilets. Our community journalists in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State (Montsho Matlala, Sandile Mbili and Molefi Sompane) surveyed 31 clinics and community health…
Diabetes, once rare in young people, is becoming more common, especially in urban areas where children are less active due to safety concerns and limited outdoor play. Many children spend more time indoors using gadgets and eating unhealthy snacks, increasing…
Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba is facing charges of unprofessional conduct before the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for a 2022 incident involving a Zimbabwean patient. As the province’s Health MEC at the time, Ramathuba was filmed in…
A year of grief, and no answers: In October 2023, six-year-old Olwethu joined her six-year-old friend Leon and cousins Neo and Katlego, aged four , to buy biscuits and ice pops from a local spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. Within…
A young scientist from Gqeberha, Yolanda Mngcongo, is working to reduce hospital-acquired infections by creating eco-friendly ways to purify the air in healthcare facilities. These infections can occur in hospitals, putting patients at risk, especially those who are already vulnerable.…
At 41, Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka faced a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. After discovering a lump in September 2023, she began a challenging journey of treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery. Navigating the disease while balancing her professional life and motherhood, she struggled…
Had a bad experience or felt mistreated at a healthcare facility? Correct and timely diagnosis and treating patients fairly ensures the safety of their health. Whether it’s at a public clinic or a private practice, you have the right to…
Realities of Gauteng’s public health facilities: You may have seen the viral video of former radio presenter Tom London speaking about poor conditions and care he recieved at Helen Joseph Hospital. Complaints about the dire state of public healthcare facilities…
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