Health-e News

When 20-year-old Mphonyana Mtamane walked into Zola Clinic in Soweto, she had finally found the strength to seek medical care after being r***d by a friend's boyfriend.

She urgently needed post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), medication that can help prevent HIV after possible exposure. But with the 72-hour treatment window almost over, she says she waited 5 hours before receiving help.

A health promoter stepped in after noticing that Mtamane had been waiting for hours despite having visible bruises and scratches. The health promoter says she went beyond her role to help her see a doctor.

Mtamane received PEP, but says she was not offered counselling, referred to a social worker or connected to GBV support services.

GBV activist Chris Maseko says her experience reflects wider gaps in the healthcare system, where survivors do not always receive the urgent and compassionate care they should.

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✍️ Lerato Kodisang

We’re through to the Round of 32!

Congratulations to Bafana Bafana on this incredible achievement. Thank you for proudly flying the South African flag and making us proud. The nation is behind you all the way! 🇿🇦

[OPINION] South Africa has new ways to fight TB. But can the health system keep up?

At the recent SA TB Conference, experts spoke about what is working and what still needs to change, in the fight against TB, one of South Africa's leading causes of death.

There is hope. New ways to test for TB are being developed, treatments are improving, and a TB vaccine could be closer than ever before.

But Russell Rensburg from the Rural Health Advocacy Project SA says there is another challenge: making sure these tools actually reach the people who need them.

He argues that healthcare services are often split up, even though many people are dealing with more than one health condition at the same time.

Someone living with HIV may also have TB. Someone being treated for diabetes may also need TB screening.

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