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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.

Right of reply: “It’s far more complex” — the health department responds to one of our NHI op-eds

Nicholas Crisp - September 6, 2023

NHI: The problem with trying to kill two birds with one stone

Dave Martin - August 10, 2023

Khetukthula Hlongwane was told at her local clinic to buy her own ARVs because it had run out.

Why has Gauteng run out of ARVs?

Opinion Ayanda Yeni - April 5, 2013

Patients go without key drugs as the province and suppliers trade blame for antiretroviral shortages.

Bhekisisa bagged five awards at the Discovery Health Journalism Awards on Wednesday night. From left: Amy Green, Mia Malan and Ina Skosana

Bhekisisa: Help us choose a winner

Opinion Staff Reporter - April 5, 2013

One of our reader letters will win a one-year digital subscription to the Mail & Guardian. Help us decide who deserves it.

Lesotho is battling to find ways of paying the specially trained HIV and TB counsellors who help people with the virus to adhere to the antiretroviral treatment.

Funding crisis looms large

Opinion Indira Govender - March 28, 2013

HIV counsellors play a vital role in Lesotho's health system, but the money is running out.

Tuberculosis is still the number one cause of death in South Africa.

TB cannot be kept behind bars

Opinion Harry Hausler - March 22, 2013

World TB Day is on March 24: We look at plans to curb the disease's spread – in prisons and beyond.

South Africa can reap substantial gains by learning from and collaborating with Brazil

SA should use Brics membership to strengthen research

Opinion John Ouma Mugabe - March 21, 2013

South Africa has a lot to learn about efficient and effective ways to approach health research and policy, suggests John Ouma-Mugabe.

It takes an average 26 weeks to analyse the alcohol blood test results from the time they are dispatched by a police station.

Promoting good health makes cents

Opinion Savera Kalideen - March 15, 2013

The establishment of a health promotion body in SA would save lives — and billions of rands.

Research on carcinogens in the environment led to tobacco laws that helped to decrease the number of smokers in South Africa.

Letters to the editor

Opinion Staff Reporter - March 11, 2013

The M&G Health Journalism Centre would like to hear from you. Letters should include the name and address of the writer. Send to [email protected].

Nearly 80% of first-line ARVs used in the developing world are produced in India

Cheap drugs a bitter pill for the West

Opinion Mara Kardas-Nelson - March 8, 2013

A global squabble over property rights could see the price of medicine soar in poor countries.

The benefits associated with eating placenta are thought to be the result of the nutrients

Expanding contraceptive options for SA’s women

Opinion Dr Bashir Issak - March 4, 2013

The long-acting implant contraceptive Jadelle is being made available at 50% of its original price to women in developing countries.

Allocations for healthcare are set from an inequitable base that predates 1994. This means that rural areas continue to be inadequately provided for in the government's budget.

Economic policy: The poor still lose

Opinion Daygan Eager - February 28, 2013

Allocations for healthcare are set from an inequitable base that predates 1994. This means that rural areas continue to be inadequately provided for in the government's budget.