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A field of maize devastated by Cyclone Idai

Cyclone Idai: ‘I don’t know how my children will survive’

Why the storm may have conspired with a savage drought to deliver a deadly second blow to Zimbabwe where 70% of people are in dire need of food.
Zanele sits alongside her 13-year-old son

How to tell your child you have HIV

More than three decades into the HIV epidemic, some conversations haven't become any easier. This is one of them.
A health extension worker visits Brahini Mokonen at her home

‘If it wasn’t for them I would have died:’ How community health workers save...

Ethiopia's rural health extension workers have helped halve the country's child death rate.
Irrigation farming in a Malawian village has helped ward off malnutrition and starvation

Water-fed gardens in Malawi ward off starvation – for now

The government's focus on small-scale irrigation has given hope and sustenance to some districts.
Dire working conditions pit doctors' rights against those of patients

Will strikes pit the rights of doctors against those of their patients?

The quest for better working conditions leaves striking doctors with a tough decision but they might not have to choose.
Fikile Magubane lost her son and husband in four months.

Mother’s vow to ‘save one more teen’

Suicides among teenagers are on the rise, but parents can be taught to spot the warning signs.

Suspicion, stigma and systems: Africa’s healthcare story

At a conference towards the end of last year, some of the great names in African public healthcare shared their lessons about what can — and can’t — work on the continent, from setting up new hospitals to implementing national health insurance. Sean Christie was there.
Clinical associates such as Arthur Setlhapelo can do basic procedures

Healthcare heroes heal the system

Clinical associates are changing the medical sector by freeing up doctors to do more.
At the African Children's Feeding Scheme in Soweto children are guaranteed three meals a day.

‘Magic bullet’ to feed the world by 2030

A change in mind-set is required because feeding schemes alone cannot put an end to malnutrition.
Sub chief Mabhokomela Bonakele has shut down shebeens at night

Booze curfew breaks the cycle of violence on the Wild Coast

In a far-flung district, a night-time ban on shebeens has wiped out violence in a village.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi

Motsoaledi: Why I use government hospitals

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has promised to get state facilities running to the highest standards.
Dr Llewellyn Volmink grew up in the township of Nkqubela in Robertson and is now a medical doctor working in the local hospital.

The rural doctor who came home to serve his people in their own language

This doctor returned to his home town to live, love and heal.
The Gauteng government has three months to pay families affected by the Life Esidimeni tragedy.

Gauteng mental health services: ‘They treated him like you don’t even treat a dog’

A decision by the Gauteng department of health has left at least 36 dead but has the scandal lifted the lid on the horrors of mental healthcare?
Period tax: Although funding has allowed for the first round of free pad deliveries in KwaZulu-Natal

#FreeToBleed: Here’s why Mboweni’s announcement of free & tax-free pads matters

Choosing between eating & bleeding through your uniform has a cost. Take a look at the reality behind the budget in this one from our archives.
What happens when anesthesia works as well as it should?

This is what it’s like waking up during surgery

General anaesthetic is supposed to make surgery painless. Now there’s evidence that one person in 20 may be awake when doctors think they’re under.
The paramedics don’t care about us. If we mention that the person has overdosed they won’t come, they won’t help us, especially if you are black.

#SliceofLife: ‘She made a joke out of my friend’s death’

When Mark died, emergency services left his body on the pavement in central Pretoria for hours.