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Opinion

The Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Bhekisisa is one of only a few media outlets in the Global South specialising in solutions-based narrative features and analysis. We not only uncover problems but also critically evaluate the solutions meant to fix them. It’s an approach we also take with our opinion pieces.

What makes a good op-ed? What can I expect from the editing process? Who do I pitch a possible opinion piece to? Get the answers to all these questions along with some handy writing tips here before you make a submission.

Volunteers arrive to pick up bodies of people who died of Ebola in the 2014-2015 outbreak.

Ebola and Zika epidemics are driven by pathologies of society, not just a virus

Economic exploitation in the developing world has resulted in under-resourced and weak health systems that could not contain the spread of viruses.
The 2016 World Aids Day special report focuses on what it will take to reach the 90-90-90 targets to end the Aids epidemic by 2030.

What will it take to end Aids by 2030?

Scientific advances mean nothing if people are too ashamed and feel too judged to seek them out.
Africa is doing well to immunise against diseases. But the continent still needs support for healthcare.

What can we learn from Angola’s yellow fever outbreak?

The country's yellow fever outbreak is a timely reminder that African countries can't get complacent with their vaccination efforts.
It’s 2019 and some clinics and hospitals in this country are still battling for basic hygiene.

Only half of clinics and hospitals in this country meet basic hygiene standards

What if your doctor couldn’t even wash her hands before examining you?
Why end-of-life care is more than just making mere health decisions.

Dying with dignity is priceless. Oddly enough, it may also be more cost-effective.

Letting doctors know what type of end-of-life care you’re comfortable with results in a more dignified death and lower hospital costs.
Free fall: Alcohol and drugs fuel the HIV infection rate

They suffer the cruelty of our care

SA society continues to betray traumatised young women who spiral into a life of drugs and abuse.
It’s time to take back the tax — by upping the tobacco tax.

Mboweni, take a chance and take back the tax — it’s time to hike...

In his speech, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni reprioritised millions for new health workers and hospital upgrades. Here’s what he needs to do next.
About half the country’s population is younger than 15.

Young women told: ‘If a man touches you, you’ll get pregnant’

Unintended pregnancies and abortions in Nigeria could be reduced if myths are dispelled and young women have the right information.
Promising Ebola vaccines languished for years in research and development for more than a decade without funding.

Money can’t be the only motive for developing life-saving medicines

Will the world act now to be ready for the next big outbreak?
|Marching for cheaper drugs: HIV and Aids activists in New Delhi

NHI: History repeats itself

Universal healthcare schemes traditionally have been met with fierce opposition.
Doctor holding tweezers

Crisis of confidence: How much does the public really trust scientists, doctors and nurses?

More than 70% of people surveyed by the Wellcome Global Monitor reported trusting scientists, doctors and nurses but there is no room for complacency.
HIV prevention needs to be targeted at women to ensure reduced infection rates.

How stigma can stymie Nigeria’s efforts to extend HIV treatment

People in rural Nigeria are afraid of being isolated due to their HIV status and don't access treatment.
Abandoned: The closure of the GF Jooste hospital has left the community in the lurch

The helpless have lost a lifeline

GF Jooste Hospital was a beacon of hope. It should have been renovated, not closed.
Saving lives: Circumcision clinics help men to take responsibility for their sexual health

Safer, due to unforeskinned circumstances

Voluntary male circumcision has made huge strides in reducing the rate of HIV infections.
South Africa is a country of broken systems. Insufficient health resources are preventing traumatised rape victims from turning to violence themselves

‘Manana will at best get a suspended sentence or a fine’

Fikile Mbabalula, Bathabile Dlamini, Mduduzi Manana. They all served in same cabinet - where 
two ends of a 
vicious circle meet.

The preventable trauma of COVID childbirth

A new global investigation has documented, in at least 45 countries, “shocking” and “unnecessary” breaches of laws and World Health Organisation guidelines intended to protect women and babies during the pandemic.