Voices from an epidemic
South Africa ranks among the world’s top 20 countries hit hardest by tuberculosis (TB), which remains a leading cause of death in the country. OurHealth talks to patients who have survived.
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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Baby allegedly stolen from Nelspruit hospital
New mothers at Nelspruit’s Rob Ferreira Hospital are on edge following the alleged abduction of a baby girl from the hospital this past weekend.
Soweto clinic hit by nationwide HIV medication stock out
Soweto’s Mofolo Clinic has been hit by a nationwide stock out of a drug needed to prevent HIV infection in babies.
A day in the life of a clinic queue
OurHealth citizen journalists line up at Gauteng and Limpopo clinics to see just how long clinic lines can get.
Free State activists, health worker case postponed
After refusing to plead guilty to charges, health workers and Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) activists are expected back at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court in October following a postponement.
Free State: Postcards from a troubled province
As activists and community health workers await the verdict in a court case stemming from July protests regarding allegedly poor Free State health services, OurHealth’s Lungile Thamela speaks to Free State residents about health in the troubled province.
Wheelchair frees house-bound Jouberton woman
When Martha Bosaye was diagnosed with gangrene, her world shrunk to the confines of four walls. With a new wheelchair, Bosaye is set to feel the warmth of the sun again.
Medicine availability improves after depot takeover
The North West Department of Health has credited a government takeover of the province’s only medical depot with helping stabilise drug supplies in the province.
Klerksdorp joins fight against Ebola
Klerksdorp residents are joining other South Africans pitching in to help fight West Africa’s on-going Ebola epidemic.
Tshwane clinics share medicines amid stock outs
Clinics in Soshanguve outside Pretoria are helping each other to solve recurring problems in drug orders from the regional pharmacy.
Tensions flare over poor service delivery in Mpumalanga
Overworked nurses and frustrated patients recently squared off as part of a community dialogue as communities in Mpumalanga’s Piet Retief area continue to complain about poor health care service.
Mothers deliver in filing room
Staff at Limpopo’s Matavhela Clinic in Vhembe say they have run out of room to house new mums and babies or guarantee patients’ privacy.
Love, suspicion & HIV discordancy
Sindi Letlala* and her 3-year-old son Thato are HIV positive. Sindi’s husband of 12 years and Thato’s father, Thabiso, is not. She talks to OurHealth about dealing with discordancy.
For aspiring nurse, health starts at home
Mothusi Thomo, 25, from Mabopane outside Pretoria is studying to be a nurse but is already active promoting health – and acceptance of different sexualities – in his own community.
Vhembe teen allegedly drugs gogo for drinking money
Munyadziwa Neluvhada of Gumela Village says her 19-year-old son drugged his grandmother in order to steal her pension in a move that landed the elderly lady in the local clinic.