Communities in crisis
By Treatment Action Campaign The Treatment Action Campaign has shared the following stories with Spotlight from their provincial operations in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Free State. Elsewhere in this…
Ambulance emergency in the Eastern Cape
By Mluleki Marongo, SECTION27 Researcher – If you call an ambulance in Johannesburg, there’s a good chance you will be in a hospital within 45 minutes; if you call an ambulance in rural Eastern Cape, you will probably die before it arrives. Sadly, that has been the case for decades.
PR and platitudes
By Ufrieda Ho – It’s ‛good governance’ week for the Public Protector’s office at the beginning of October and officials are going through the motions of holding a community meeting in Vosloorus. The meeting is however, already running over an hour behind schedule.
A new coalition for people-centred health care
By Ufrieda Ho – Two specific issues emerged as priorities for Gauteng from the Provincial Health Assembly this year: migration and mental health.
Getting the system to work
By Ufrieda Ho – Staff shortages remain a massive challenge for the public health service.
Rich province, poor health care
By Ufrieda Ho – In money terms, Gauteng’s health budget looks plump and healthy at R37,4 billion for the 2016-2017 financial year – R2.07 billion more than the previous financial year.
Where all that glitters is not gold
By Ufrieda Ho – Mineral-rich, prosperous, the glitter of gold – that’s supposed to be the promise of the towns the sit atop the ore-rich western fringe of Gauteng.
In good hands
By Ntsiki Mpulo – Eyes bulging, lips cracked, ribs clearly visible under taut skin; the man appears on the verge of taking his last breath.
Illegal experiment scandal rocks Free State health
By Anso Thom and Marcus Low – The Medicines Control Council (MCC) this week suspended what appears to be unlawful stem cell experimentation at Pelonomi, a state hospital in Bloemfontein.
Judgement reserved in Bophelo House 94 appeal
By Nomatter Ndebele A full bench of the Bloemfontein High Court today reserved judgement in the appeal of the so-called Bophelo House 94. In July 2014 the Bophelo House 94,…
The barefoot soldiers of a public health care system that doesn’t seem to care
By Nomatter Ndebele – For the past 17 years, 55-year old Doris Ntuli has worked as a community caregiver (CCG) in the community of Sweetwaters, in Pietermaritzburg, Durban. In that time Ntuli has only received a pay increase of R300 (US$20). Her total monthly income is R1500 (US$95).
“Bring your pubic hair” – healers and quacks continue to thrive in KwaZulu-Natal
In KwaZulu-Natal, according to reports from the Human Sciences Research Council, there are 1.8 million people who are HIV positive. Of those, 1.1 million are on the antiretroviral programme. Yet, despite making great strides in the fight against HIV, the streets of KZN are still full of non-medical “healers” who prey on sick, desperate and vulnerable people desperate to be cured of HIV. Nomatter Ndebele visits two “healers” with thriving businesses.