Women’s Health

Fertility research confirms what most women know

Women's Health

Research published in the British Medical Journal shows that it is impossible to predict ovulation - even among those women with regular menstrual cycles. It explains why the rhythm method for planning or preventing pregnancy is wholly unreliable.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
December 15, 2000

Rape Centre helps convict rapists

Women's Health

A rape centre in Somerset West not only offers a refuge of kind words and practical care for women who've been raped, it also adheres to a strict code for the collection of forensic evidence which results in the conviction of many of the rapists. Kerry Cullinan reports.

Health-e News
December 15, 2000

Township therapy for mothers

Women's Health

Few township residents have ever met a psychiatrist. But in two Khayelitsha clinics, three women are reaching out to mothers and babies in need of psychological support.

Kerry Cullinan
August 22, 2000

Forensic Nurses

Women's Health

Forensic nurses are going to be trained throughout the country to ensure that rape victims get a better service from the state and that good medical evidence is collected to improve the conviction rate of rapists. This decision has been taken by the Department of Health, which is concerned about reports of rape survivors being treated badly by doctors.

Kerry Cullinan
March 27, 2000

Safe abortions still unavailable to many

Women's Health

Fewer than half the state hospitals and clinics chosen to provide termination of pregnancy procedures are offering the service to pregnant women. This is according to the South African Health Review 1999 released yesterday (wed feb.9) by the Health Systems Trust.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
February 14, 2000

Health system failures result in maternal deaths

Women's Health

Almost half the maternal deaths in South Africa during 1998 were preventable. This is according to the Health Department's Confidential Enquiry into maternal deaths in South Africa. The report identifies numerous shortcomings in the health care system, many of which concern failures in the referral and transport systems between health institutions. The Department of Health has accepted the recommendations of the report and will start implementing them.