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A young child being treated by a health worker

Spare a thought for EMS workers as Covid-19 rages, says federation president

News

With increased calls, very sick patients and stepping in as intensive care providers, emergency service workers have been at the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. Often at their own peril.

Soligah
February 9, 2021

Mpumalanga residents want emergency services prioritised

Our Health

As the country heads to the polls, some South Africans have mixed feelings about service delivery and the quality of health services in their communities. Health-e asked Mpumalanga residents what they thought about the province’s public clinics and hospitals.

Cynthia Maseko
May 3, 2019

Patients forced to sleep on the floor

Health Systems, Our Health

EASTERN CAPE – Patients from rural Mbizana, who rely on state transport to get them to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Umthatha for specialist treatment, have to sleep on the floor while they wait for an ambulance.

Zizo Zikali
June 12, 2018

SANBS blood banks dry up

News, Our Health

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is facing a serious shortage of type O blood with just over a day and a half supply in its blood banks across the country. The blood donor organisation has appealed to citizens to make donations as a matter of urgency and become regular blood donors.

Masutane
April 11, 2017

Mofolo Clinic in Soweto investigated for alleged cheating on clinic inspections

News, Our Health

Mofolo Clinic in Soweto, recently rated highly by clinic inspectors, is now under investigation for having allegedly cheated in order to gain a higher-than-deserved score.

lungilethamela
September 7, 2016

Patient incorrectly prescribed HIV medication

Health, News, Our Health

When epileptic patient Thabang Madimabi collapsed, he never expected to wake up in hospital and on antiretrovirals (ARVs) – especially since Madimabi is HIV negative.

lungilethamela
May 20, 2016

Documentary premiere: Dying in our homes

Health, Health Systems

Amid a dire shortage of ambulances in the Eastern Cape patients’ lives are at risk as many calls for help go unanswered. A new Health-e News documentary, Dying In Our Homes, reveals the impact on the lives of rural families.

kyla
October 1, 2015

[Updated] Documentary premiere: Dying in our homes

Health, News

kyla
September 10, 2015

Animal activist helps after ambulances stop services

Health Systems, Our Health

An animal rights activist has been helping Soweto patients with transport to hospital as paramedics fear entering the area.

The call unanswered: Emergency services ‘non-existent’ in E.Cape communities

Health, News

Pensioners living in rural Eastern Cape villages say they have never seen an ambulance in their lives as a deadly combination of poor management and budget shortfalls keeps ambulances out of rural communities.

lauralopez
July 6, 2015

An image of the front end of an ambulance

Gauteng the latest province to admit ambulance shortages

Health Systems, News

With just 393 ambulances on Gauteng roads, the province is far from meeting national standards for emergency vehicles despite 49 recently procured ambulances. Now one Eldorado Park family says they have paid the ultimate price for the province’s ambulance shortage.

ayandamkhwanazi and ayandamkhwanazi
June 9, 2015

True Life: “I’ve never seen an ambulance”

Health, Our Health

On the heels of the recent South African Human Rights Commission’s hearing on the lack of emergency medical service in the Eastern Cape, OurHealth speaks to one woman who says she has never seen an ambulance in 35 years.

tandekahlongwane
April 3, 2015

Slideshow: Left for dead in the Eastern Cape

Health

Dozens of people recently testified before the South African Human Rights Commission about the Eastern Cape's lack of emergency medical services and patient transport. Testimonies paint a stark picture of the thin line between life and death in the rural Eastern Cape.

lauralopez
March 30, 2015

Villagers spend ‘as much as R40 million’ on emergency transport

Health

Eastern Cape villagers are being forced to pay up to R800 each way to transport sick family members to clinics and hospitals as bad roads, ambulance shortages and poorly trained staff conspire against critically-ill patients fighting for their lives.

lauralopez
March 27, 2015

Eastern Cape dying for EMS services

Health

Xolise Sam watched his sister, Tumeka, writhe in pain for almost a week before she died in Frere Hospital’s Ward Four. She lay screaming in between the seizures that had begun to jolt her frail frame as Xolisile dialled “112” for emergency services again and again.

lauralopez
March 26, 2015

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