Growing up disabled
Egnes Raulinga cried for joy the day her son, Ronewa, was born. At 4 years old, Ronewa is now a smart, inquisitive toddler. Egnes says it breaks her heart to watch other children treat him differently because of his disability.
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.
Read More » Growing up disabled
East Rand community unhappy about new private clinic
For years, the Klippoortjie community east of Johannesburg has pleaded with local counsellors for a clinic. Now, some are saying the area’s new private clinic is an insult to injury.
Stigma haunts those living with epilepsy
Growing up, Silindile Mkhwena says healers preyed on her family’s scant knowledge of her epilepsy. More than a decade later, she says she is still paying for society’s ignorance.
Disabled, not dead
People with disabilities may be differently abled but they have sex just like everyone else – a reality that health workers, policies and sex education programmes have not caught up with, according to the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC).
Lost patient cards compound long queues
When a trip to the clinic already involves three queues, lost patient cards are the last thing you need.
New private clinic opens in Winterveld
A new private clinic in Winterveld is one of about 90 such private clinics to be rolled out in the next three years by non-profit company Unjani Clinics.
Family alleges man received incorrect treatment before dying
Raymond Mphaphuli passed away Sunday. Now his family wants to know if a mix-up in treatment is behind the 30-year-old’s death.
Limpopo woman takes nursing home
As a little girl growing up in rural Limpopo, Ndivhudzannyi Makungo dreamed of making a difference in her community’s life. Now a nursing student in Pretoria, Makungo recently had the chance to make her dreams come true.
Breast cancer advocates demand three-month supplies of treatment
Many HIV patients are now issued with three-month supplies of treatment, cutting down the burden on clinics and patients. Now, breast cancer advocates want the same for women battling the cancer.
Foetal alcohol syndrome not confined to the Capes
At 15 years old, Asanda* towers over her Grade 3 classmates, most of whom are about five years younger than the East Rand teen. Asanda is one of thousands of South Africans born with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), according to the University of Stellenbosch.
TUT welcomes previously denied disabled student
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has agreed to accept a disabled student it previously said could not attend classes due to a lack of wheelchair access on campus. The decision comes following a high-level meeting between administration and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Clinic, family rejoices as elderly man receives house
When heavy rains collapsed 75-year-old Mutshinya Munyai’s home in 2012, healthcare workers at his local clinic noticed. Now, after three years of advocating on his behalf Guyani Clinic staff in Limpopo watched Munyai walk into his new home.
Limpopo clinic welcomes new manager
Tshiungani Clinic patients in Limpopo recently said a bittersweet goodbye to their beloved clinic manager. Now, the clinic has welcomed new manager and experienced rural healthcare worker Thingahangwi Nemutamba to the helm.
Hammanskraal clinic scoops district, provincial awards
Hammanskraal’s Suurman Clinic has been named one of the best clinics not only in the Tshwane health district but also in the province.
Soweto school garden feeds 500, reduces malnutrition
The food garden at Vukuzenzele Primary School in Mofolo North, Soweto has done more than just feed learners, it has reduced malnutrition in the area, according to Dr Bongani Ngema.