Poor conditions violate patients’ human rights
LUSIKISIKI. ' Community members, health care staff and activists from this Eastern Cape village were up in arms about the poor conditions at the local Village Clinic.
Our Health
OurHealth is a project that trains and supports local activists and aspiring health journalists. Our citizen journalists (CJs) live in rural and poorly-covered areas in South Africa, and report on health issues affecting their communities.
Read More » Poor conditions violate patients’ human rights
Community surprised by good service
LUSIKISIKI. ' Residents from Mevana district in the Eastern Cape were stunned by the level of service they received from the emergency services in the area. This community, who is used to long queues, medicine stock outs and generally poor health services was pleasantly surprised when the emergency services arrived within minutes after they logged a call.
E Cape DoH should answer to community
LUSIKISIKI. ' Communities in the Eastern Cape are up in arms about the breakdown in health services in this province and activist groups here are pressurising local and provincial departments for answers and solutions.
E Cape patients protest over poor service
LUSIKISIKI. ' Patients and community members from this Eastern Cape village clashed with police during a march to the local office of the Department of Health where they delivered a memorandum of grievances about the health services in the area.
Treatment woes for HIV patient
Lusikisiki. ' For Nontandabuzo Bhokhwayidli, a 43-year-old woman from Mfinizweni Village in the Eastern Cape, an HIV diagnosis in 2004 was only the start of her health problems, because at times the treatment she received for HIV were worse than the disease itself.
‘Epilepsy messed up my life’
Lusikisiki. ' Siyabulela Mvilisi's family thought he was cursed when he used to inexplicably topple over and have seizures.
Slow progress on E Cape clinic
Lusikisiki. ' The Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health has not delivered on their promise of a new, fully-functional Village Clinic to replace the previous one that had to close down after the department failed to pay rent for the premises.
Alcohol spoils Christmas for Limpopo youngsters
Vhembe. ' Christmas day is synonymous with festivities. Although most people use the time to visit with their loved ones, there are also those who use the day as an excuse to abuse alcohol and drugs.
Children learn about human trafficking
Vhembe. ' Children from this Limpopo community were taught about the dangers of human trafficking during an activity day at the Matavhela Clinic in December. About 300 children, home-based carers, clinic staff and community members attended the event.
Home-based carer saves patient’s life
Vhembe. ' Quick thinking by a home-based carer saved the life of a sick man from the Mafukani Village in Limpopo.
OurHealth article leads to TV programme
Bethlehem. ' The SABC 1 TV programme, Siyanqoba Beat It, in December filmed the Mphohadi Lunceon Club after reading about this group of active seniors in an OurHealth article published in October.
Youth health issues under the spotlight
Bloemfontein. ' In December last year, a National Youth Camp was hosted here by the Department of Social Development to get young people talking about the health and social issues they face, and to help them find solutions to these challenges.
Free State clinic manager celebrates 20 years in nursing profession
Bethlehem. - Lindi Twala, manager of the Bohlokong Clinic in Bethlehem, in the Free State, recently celebrates 20 years in the nursing profession.
Babies can be born free of mom’s HIV
OR Tambo. ' Many challenges prevent pregnant women from accessing Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services despite a strong HIV management programme in the area.
Living positively with HIV
Lusikisiki ' Nontlahla Boyizi, a 20-year-old woman from Ngobozana Village in the Eastern Cape, was shocked when she recently received the news that she was HIV positive.