Author: Njih Favour

FROM THE ARCHIVE Intimate partner violence is the most common form of gender-based violence. Globally 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 6 men experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. Researchers believe that intimate partner violence may have its roots in childhood.   A South African 2024 study found that more than 50% of participants reported experiencing intimate partner violence by the age of 28. The same study also showed that 48.6% of participants faced physical abuse by age 18, pointing to a serious link with childhood violence.  The findings, presented…

Some patients at Bongani Hospital in Welkom, in the Lejweleputswa district of the Free State, say they pay to use the staff toilets because the toilets meant for the public are broken.  “The Issues of hospital toilets are worrisome because toilet handles are not working. Taps are not working as they should. We are forced to pay health workers to use their own toilets, which have soap, paper and water. We pay R10,” says Dibuseng Moeketsi. Conditions in the men’s toilets are reportedly worse. Tshepiso Leoli says they’re unusable, due to blocked drainage.   “We are at the hospital here, but…

FROM THE ARCHIVE Rape in South Africa has been described a societal and public health crisis. It’s estimated that 40,000 cases have been reported every year over the last decade. But research shows that most survivors do not report their rape to the police. The implications are that survivors often don’t receive much-needed post rape medical care or mental health support.  Several organisations in South Africa are working hard to support survivors and help them understand their rights and what happens in the process of seeking justice. One of these organisations is the Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern…

19 Nov South Africa, PATH, and Wellcome launch world’s first AI framework for mental health at G20 Social Summit [Embargoed] Johannesburg, 19 November 2025 – As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly enters the mental health space, from therapy chatbots to diagnostic tools, the world faces a critical question: can AI expand access to care without putting people at risk? At the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa announced a landmark national effort to answer that question. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and PATH, with funding from Wellcome, have launched the Comprehensive AI Regulation and Evaluation for Mental…

“My daughter was hurt while she was supposed to be safe.” These are the words of Patricia Williams from Geluksdal in Ekurhuleni, who claims that her four-year-old child, Ava, was assaulted while under medical care at Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane. The family opened a case of assault at Tsakane Police Station on 6 November 2025 and is demanding full accountability. Ava has hydrocephalus, a severe neurological condition in which fluid builds up in the brain. On 2 November, she was admitted to Pholosong after having an epileptic episode. On 5 November, Patricia came upon a shocking scene.  Subscribe to our…

After birth, moms and babies are required to visit healthcare facilities for essential services like immunisations, postnatal care and HIV testing. (Photo: Shutterstock) News & Features 19th November 2025 | Elri Voigt In South Africa, many mothers and their babies have to visit the clinic more than 10 times in the first six months of the postnatal period. Early findings from an ongoing implementation science project suggests we can get this down to five. The hope is that the new approach will also help reduce HIV transmission from mothers to their babies.  Over the last two decades, South Africa has…

Globally, 82 million girls and 69 million boys face sexual violence each year. In South Africa, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a persistent and deeply rooted crisis.  A survivor-centred short film, My Justice, My Voice which premiered in Cape Town, ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg, brings this crisis into focus through the stories of three women who are speaking out to demand real accountability and change.  The film My Justice, My Voice: Speaking up to end childhood sexual violence, made by the Brave Movement, survivors, Rays of Hope and On Our Radar, shows how often abuse happens within…

As heavy rains fell over Gauteng this past weekend, a video posted on social media showed patients sitting in what looks like a hospital waiting room, with their feet resting on benches. The room is flooded and more water is gushing in from the windows. (screenshot from video) Flooding incident circulating on social media  Posted to X (twitter) on Sunday 16 November, the caption accompanying this video reads:  A video purporting to show severe flooding at Garankuwa’s Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital’s outpatient pharmacy waiting area in Tshwane, sparked widespread panic and concern.  Health-e News visited the facility on Sunday…

People living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing anal cancer, particularly if they have compromised immune systems. (Photo: Bild von Tung Lam/Pixabay) News & Features 17th November 2025 | Elna Schütz South Africa has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, which both heightens the risk of anal cancers and their severity. However, neither the collection of data nor the efforts for prevention and screening are in line with the likely impact. Experts say significant change is needed. “Almost everyone has an anus,” Dr Daniel Surridge, a colorectal surgeon at Joburg Colorectal, says with a…

Civil society organisations are intensifying calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare diabetes a public health emergency, citing the need for urgent government intervention and resources to prevent the growing number of deaths caused by the disease.  Up to 350 stakeholders, including academics, civil society organisations, industry representatives, and government officials, presented a unified front this week at the  Diabetes Summit, demanding immediate action on what they describe as a spiralling health crisis. According to Summit convener and Diabetes Alliance chair Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie,  diabetes is a leading cause of death and poses a heavy burden on the country’s…