‘No time’ for healthy food
Taxi drivers from Kuruman to Nelspruit confess that fizzy drinks and junk food are a central part of their rushed lives.
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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Bethlehem health scare over fish poisoned in local dam
People in the Bethlehem area who have eaten fish caught from their local dam have been falling desperately sick, and the Health Department is now investigating the health scare.
Limpopo villagers angry over ambulance shortages
Despite the Limpopo Department of Health having unveiled many state of the art ambulances so far this year, fed-up residents of Ha-Mashau village, near Louis Trichard are still waiting for an ambulance to be delivered at their local clinic.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100% preventable but not reversible
Monica Deysel (24) of Secunda was a heavy drinker when she fell pregnant at age 18. Both she and her boyfriend continued drinking and smoking throughout her pregnancy, and as a result she gave birth to a baby girl with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
Albino’s are still living under fear
KWA-ZULU NATAL – The mother of a four-year-old albino boy, who disappeared more than three months ago, is terrified that he was snatched for muti.
“Years of dental neglect have caused my teeth to fall out”
While dental services at government health facilities are free, the fact that they are limited, many poor people in rural communities are unable to make use of them or are not aware of them. It’s an issue that is receiving some attention as September is oral hygiene month.
Community clinic closed after being vandalised
The Wrenchville community clinic, situated about 5kms outside Kuruman in the Nothern Cape, has been badly vandalised by angry community members who stoned the facility and burnt down the community hall and library.
Nyaope’s deadly grip on Orange Farm
Orange Farm - a relatively young township situated about 45 kilometres south of Joburg - is under siege by nyaope addicts, with residents afraid to leave their homes in case they are burgled.
An agonising choice: go deaf or die!
Like other Multi Drug Resistant TB patients, Linah Choene (23) faced a terrible decision: either give up her treatment and die, or continue with it and go deaf.
KZN teenager pushes for organ donor awareness as he waits years for a heart and lung transplant.
A Durban teenager, who has been waiting for years for the transplant surgery he desperately needs to live a normal, healthy life, is pinning his hopes on organ donor awareness campaigns.
HIV counsellor arrested for stealing ARV’s from clinic
A lay counsellor working for the Department of Health at the Kanyamazane Clinic outside Nelspruit in Mpumalanga appeared in court this week on allegations of stealing medication from the clinic.
Mofolo Clinic in Soweto investigated for alleged cheating on clinic inspections
Mofolo Clinic in Soweto, recently rated highly by clinic inspectors, is now under investigation for having allegedly cheated in order to gain a higher-than-deserved score.
Limpopo water shortage worsens as drought conditions continue
Limpopo residents are hard hit by the drought, as their situation continues to get worse. Residents of Madobi village, near Makhado, are now struggling to get drinking water as many of the boreholes in the area have dried up.
“You will be remembered comrade”
Aids activist Elsie Simangele Mashego from Daantjie outside Nelspruit in Mpumalanga has died of cervical cancer.
Jabulani hostel dwellers suffer after municipal elections
As post-municipal election politicking continues and the weather warms up, the Jabulani hostel community is Soweto is growing increasingly anxious about appaling health conditions in their area.