Health

Making sex safer

It has been a little over a month since Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, announced in his annual National Health budget and policy speech that the South African government will start administering free vaccinations against human papilloma virus (HPV) in schools beginning in February of 2014, but there is still much to discuss about the vaccination roll-out program.

Edirin Okoloko

Feature | 10 July 2013

Khayelitsha toilet contractors not delivering

"The toilets are not very good. They are unstable and fall over a lot," says Nomtheto Ndzime, a Khayelitsha resident, about the toilets provided by the City of Cape Town.

Fergus Turner

News | 30 April 2013

KhayeNet: Khayelitsha’s first community network

Launched in October 2012, KhayeNet is the latest project of the first mobile community network that deals with disseminating health related information to the community of Khayelitsha. This pilot project aims to improve communication between the public and the health sector.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 13 March 2013

How to organise support for mental health in places where there is none

For many South Africans living in rural communities and urban townships, counselling and support for mental illness and distress is unavailable. Information and resources on mental health, including depression, anxiety and suicidal tendency, is difficult to access.

Fergus Turner

News | 27 February 2013

Will Lentegeur’s hospice be closed?

St Lukes Hospice in Lentegeur Hospital in Mitchells Plain has received notice that it will be closed. The hospice is a separate building on the hospital grounds. The provincial health department intends to replace the hospice's services in a ward in the hospital itself.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 6 February 2013

Man loses use of hand at work, but can’t get compensated

A Zimbabwean man, Farai Chawasema, who lost all use of his hand in an injury at work on 29 November last year, is accusing his employer, Patrick Pieterse, of Pat's Engineering and a medical practitioner, Ajmal Ikram, of Melomed Gatesville Medical Centre, of failing to get him workman's compensation.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 30 January 2013

Professor Gary Maartens on public health in the Western Cape

Following GroundUp's report last week of the public meeting in Khayelitsha on health, HIV/AIDS and TB service delivery, we spoke to Professor Gary Maartens about public healthcare in the townships of the Western Cape.

Tessa Gooding

News | 12 December 2012

Delft clinic and community members caught in SANCO squabble

An internal squabble in the South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO) in Delft spilled over into the streets earlier this month.

Mihle Pike

News | 28 November 2012

Young entrepeneur delivers medicines in Khayelitsha

Sizwe Nzima is just 21 years old but he has already co-founded a business called Iyeza Express that delivers chronic medicines by bike to patients who are unable to stand in long queues at clinic pharmacies.

Mihle Pike

News | 21 November 2012

Farm conflict: thousands of people could not access medicines

During the farm violence in De Doorns and other parts of the Western Cape over the last few weeks, thousands of public health system users could not get their medicines because health facilities closed down.

Kate Stegeman and Tariro Washinyira

News | 21 November 2012

Grandmother tells about the tragedy of drug use for her grandson

Bulelwa Mbomela is in her 60s. She is the grandmother of Phumlani Mbomela who is 19 years old. Phumlani dropped out of school when he was in grade seven and he never went back.

Nokubonga Yawa

Brief | 24 October 2012

Mental health care in Khayelitsha: an interview with the provincial government

October is mental health care awareness month. We take a look at mental health care services on the Cape Flats and what is available to people with a mental health illness.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 3 October 2012

Health workers and patients protest Jooste Hospital closure

About 500 health workers, patients and activists protested outside the Western Cape legislature on 10 September against the planned closure of GF Jooste hospital in 2013.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 19 September 2012

Farm worker who loses finger alleges he has not been compensated

Fabiea Thokoana, a 39 year old worker at Kanetvlei Farm in Worcester, says that he is battling to obtain compensation after he lost his middle finger while on duty on 29 May this year.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 19 September 2012

Cape Town’s stray dog problem

He limps as he quickly crosses the busy road of NY 1 in Gugulethu, probably injured by another dog who is in the same position as he is. No home, no food, no care.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 19 September 2012

Government formula milk sold for profit

Some spaza shop owners in Khayelitsha are selling Department of Health (DoH) formula milk that is marked "Not for resale". This milk is supposed to be given free to HIV-positive mothers to give to their babies instead of breast milk.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 12 September 2012