A mother’s pain
In June 2015, 33-year-old Mirriam Senoe went into labour and was taken to Michael Mapongwana Day Hospital. On arrival, the nurses performed a full examination on her and the baby…
TAC: “Poor maternal and obstetric care in the Western Cape”
NSP Review COMMENT: The Treatment Action Campaign’s Western Cape office has been highlighting what appears to be serious problems in maternity and obstetrics units (MOUs) in the provincial healthcare system.…
Communities suffer as healthcare denied: Free State CHWs still dismissed
Virginia is a small gold mining town in the Free State. This once-lively town has slowed down significantly, with only a few of the mines still operational. The streets are…
The failed state of Free State healthcare
“The doctor examined me and he looked me in the eyes and said angrily, ‘What does it mean if the baby’s heart is not beating?’ I just kept quiet,” she…
HIV and Human Rights: The right to protest
NSP Review COMMENT: Community healthcare workers are the backbone of South Africa’s health system. There is no doubt that this cadre of healthcare worker play a critical role in ensuring…
The long battle to get the mines to cough up
Their lawyers are preparing to fight in court, but for many of the miners who contracted lung disease from the silica dust on South Africa’s gold mines, it’s too late..…
Silicosis: Exploited.Damaged. Discarded.
NSP Review COMMENT: A small community of mineworkers in Zithulele in the Eastern Cape is slowly dying from lung related diseases. Turberculosis and Silicosis are synonymous to these former mineworkers.…
The blame game at Mthatha Depot
[caption id="attachment_3489" align="alignnone" width="570"] On arrival, the NSP Review team was allowed access without question from the security guards at the gate.[/caption] Drug stock-outs are a national crisis and the…
Failed by the system
Nombulelo Yose is the picture of good health. Her vitals are strong and, thanks to the support she receives at work, she’s come to terms with her HIV status. Nombulelo…
She says she wanted to die
[caption id="attachment_3486" align="alignnone" width="570"] Nosiphiwo Sitshetshe (above) was diagnosed HIV positive in 2012. Nosiphiwo had visited the clinic consistently during each of her pregnancies and adhered to her drug regimen,…
For the want of an ambulance, lives are lost
Baby Mivuyo Damsesi clutches a toy ambulance in her grubby 2-year-old hands. Her mother, Noluthando Damsesi (28) says that it was given to her at the crèche she attends in…
Emergency medical services update
On 25 and 26 March 2015, the South African Human Commission held a hearing on access to Emergency Medical Services in the Eastern Cape following a complaint from the community…