Ambulances scarce in rural Eastern Cape
When emergencies happen, rural communities outside Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape say there is no one to call – and with disastrous results.
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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East Rand community fears for orphaned children
Community members say they have tried for years to get the Department of Social Development to assist a child-headed family in Buhle Park east of Johannesburg. Now, they fear for the family’s safety.
Rape statistics disputed
As 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence ends, activist Rochelle Pimentel says frequently cited rape states are wrong.
Poor care, ambulance shortage blamed for toddler’s death
Yolisa Ngeseki alleges poor care and a shortage of ambulance led to the death of her 3-year-old girl after she contracted Hepatitis B.
Local research finds traditional medicine use prevalent among pregnant women
With high levels of traditional medicine use among pregnant women at Bertha Gxowa Hospital outside Johannesburg, traditional medicine should always be a topic of discussion between health workers and patients, says one doctor.
Treatment Action Campaign pickets Mpumalanga Clinic
To mark World AIDS Day, the Treatment Action Campaign’s (TAC) Mpumalanga branch picketed outside a local clinic as the AIDS lobby continues to complain about poor service delivery.
HIV activists reflect on 10 years of treatment
As government officials took to podiums nationwide to deliver World AIDS Day speeches, HIV activists held a much quieter gathering in Johannesburg to reflect on 10 years of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
South Africa attempts to set new HIV testing world record
Tshwane health services set an ambitious goal to test more than 10,000 people in one day ahead of World AIDS Day and break the international world record.
TAC to boycott official World AIDS Day proceedings
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) will boycott official World AIDS Day proceedings for the second consecutive year as the group alleges that the millions of rands used to host this year’s event in the Free State would be better spent strengthening the health system.
Limpopo concerned about pharmacist shortage
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Lusikisiki calls for better community safety, post-rape services
As the country celebrates 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, Lusikisiki residents came together to raiser awareness about rape, but argue that safety, and access to justice and care should be priorities 365 days a year.
Between cancer and cure: Two kilometres and a salary
Two breast cancer survivors are separated by less than two kilometres, but the gap in their access to treatment may be much wider.
True Life: “I was raped four times”
Mary Mavuso,* 31, has been raped four times in her life. As the world marks the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, Mavuso talks to OurHealth's Cynthia Maseko about how she may found happiness now but her past continues to haunt her.
Kuruman mourns Sarah Van Wyk
As the world prepares to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, the rural community of Wrenchville outside Kuruman mourns the death of another young woman.
Northern Cape town celebrates World Food Day
Recently, the residents of Bongani outside the Northern Cape town of Douglas celebrated World Food Day to learn about how to eat better for cheaper.