Wild mushrooms a ‘silent killer’
KWA-ZULU NATAL - Wild fruit and vegetables are highly consumed in rural areas and are rich in micronutrients and antioxidants - but they can also be deadly.
Our Health
OurHealth is Health-e’s network of community journalists based in rural villages and townships across South Africa. We bring you grassroots reporting from the people who cover the communities they live in.
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Traditional healers debate initiation school age
EASTERN CAPE - Whether young men are ready for initiation school at the age of 16, or if they should wait until they are 18 was the basis of heated discussions among traditional healers at the recent public hearings into the Customary Initiation Bill held at the Club House Hall in Flagstaff.
Whooping cough spreading in Mpumalanga
The Mpumalanga Department of Health has observed a sudden increase in pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough” in children under five, and particularly one year-olds.
Skilled nurses strengthen HIV fight
The Limpopo Department of Health says nurses who complete a specialist programme are an important weapon in the fight against HIV/Aids.
Second round of HPV vaccinations underway
Grade 4 girls across the Flagstaff circuit in the Eastern Cape are being vaccinated for the second round against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) after the departments of health and education launched the HPV vaccination campaign.
HIV-positive mom warns against using muti
Nomsa Nyali was diagnosed with HIV when she was 22 and pregnant. Her son is now 16 - she lives to encourage other HIV-positive people to be brave.
Suicide awareness a big concern
Mental health organisations have embarked on raising awareness of depression - the leading cause of many suicides.
Babies face ‘dire consequences’ if given solids too soon
The World Health Organisation recommends that infants should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health - but it’s not always possible.
Charity aims to keep poor kids in school
More than 50% of South Africans live in poverty, according to Stats SA. That’s more than 30,4-million people - and Serame Mpato wants to do something about it.
Dodge junk food, warn nutritionists
Most people know junk food is unhealthy - but they still eat it. Health-e News spoke to some residents of Flagstaff in the Eastern Cape to find out about their sugary habits.
When a child becomes a parent
When I was 14 I got involved with a boy who was four years older than me. At that time I knew very little about dating and sex because my parents did not talk to me about such things.
Limpopo moves to fumigate houses in malaria fight
As malaria season approaches the Limpopo Department of Health aims to disinfect a million houses in the province.
Calls for more foetal alcohol syndrome awareness
South Africa, which has the world’s highest prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is joining other countries to create awareness of the disorder on 9 September - International FASD day.
HIV+ woman beats anger and denial
Mpumalanga - A young woman says HIV will not claim her life. Khosi Zitha said before she accepted her HIV status she battled with denial and anger. The 24-year-old told Health-e News that she could not cope because three of her siblings, who had been HIV-positive, had died.
Toilet stench headache for KwaMashu residents
KWAZULU NATAL - Residents of Bester in KwaMashu north of Durban have been living with the overwhelming stench of overflowing toilets in the area for many years - and the situation is becoming worse.