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.
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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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.
Orlando West clinic without running water, working toilets
Orlando West’s Mandela Sisulu Clinic near the Phefeni Railway Station has no working taps or toilets. Patients say conditions in the clinic named after the struggle stalwarts are disgusting.
Mpumalanga residents suffer years of raw sewage spills
Residents of Emadamini, Extension 6 in Ermelo say they have had enough of the raw sewage that has been plaguing the area for years.
Young family looks to education for hope
When you head the house at 18 years old, things and dreams change as Thabang Malekutu is discovering months after became his siblings' sole caregiver.
Dilapidated Tshwane health office without computers
Lodging a complaint with the Tshwane Department of Health’s regional office in Mabopane is nearly impossible as it lacks working computers, internet access and even door handles.
Fears drive traditional medicine use during pregnancy
Fears about prolonged labours and enlarged babies’ heads are driving some pregnant women to opt for traditional medicine instead of doctors’ prescriptions - but nurses say it may be a dangerous gamble.
Quake closes North West clinics, nursing college
This week’s 5.3 magnitude earthquake has closed at least three clinics in Klerksdorp and North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo is unsure when at least two clinics will re-open.
Searching for acceptance
Telling your family you are gay is hard. It may be harder in rural small-town South Africa.
A look back at PMTCT
In January, South Africa will begin initiating HIV-positive pregnant women on life-long antiretrovirals (ARVs). OurHealth looks at how far South Africa’s come in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Children blame defaulting for mother’s death
Thabang Malekutu, 18, is raising three younger siblings following his mother’s recent death due to AIDS-related illnesses after she defaulted on treatment.
Tshwane organisations to march against nyaope
About 40 Tshwane NGOs have vowed to march against the drug use plaguing their communities and to send a clear message to drug dealers that their presence is not welcomed.
Distance not the only barrier between disabled and care
Ramps, floor lighting and sign language interpreters are just a few of the simple things disabled people say they need to access health care but few health facilities are well-equipped.