Health-e News

Health-e News Health-e News is a non-profit, online publication focused on pressing health issues in South Africa.

We centre community voices through our network of nationwide community journalists.

27/02/2026

[WATCH] Last week, the conversation around menstrual products shifted.

Researchers at the tested 16 brands of sanitary pads and eight pantyliners sold in local stores.

They may increase the risk of health problems like fertility issues and certain cancers over time.

The National Consumer Commission has confirmed it is now investigating nine suppliers of sanitary pads and tampons.

“Minister of Menstruation’ and gender equity advocate says distribution programmes that many learners rely on cannot simply be paused. “Safety must become the baseline.”

Find out more at the link in bio via 🔗

27/02/2026

[WATCH] Last week, the conversation around menstrual products shifted.

Researchers at the University of the Free State tested 16 brands of sanitary pads and eight pantyliners sold in local stores.

They may increase the risk of health problems like fertility issues and certain cancers over time.

The National Consumer Commission has confirmed it is now investigating nine suppliers of sanitary pads and tampons.

'Minister of Menstruation’ and gender equity advocate Candice Chirwa says distribution programmes that many learners rely on cannot simply be paused. "Safety must become the baseline".

Find out more in the comments via Faith Mutizira🔗

27/02/2026

[WATCH] 3 500 patients a month but no working toilets.

That’s the situation at Phuthanang Clinic in Tsakane.

After staff went on a go-slow over the ongoing toilet problems, the City of Ekurhuleni temporarily reassigned health workers and redirected patients to nearby clinics.

One patient says the toilet issue has lasted “more than three years”.

The city says it cannot expose workers and the public to a facility without proper sanitation. It’s unclear when the toilets will be fixed.

Patients have been told to go to other healthcare facilities.

Have you experienced broken toilets at your clinic?

Tell us more in the comments via Polotso Thulo 🔗

[OPINION] 5.6 million South Africans are living with . But the did not set aside specific funding to deal with it.Dr...
26/02/2026

[OPINION] 5.6 million South Africans are living with . But the did not set aside specific funding to deal with it.

Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance , says the budget does not reflect the country’s changing health reality.

But there is no dedicated funding for non-communicable diseases, even though diabetes is now the leading underlying natural cause of death in South Africa.

One of the biggest gaps was that the Minister did not mention or increase the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), also known as the “sugar tax”.

The HPL aims to reduce sugar intake and lower obesity, one of the main causes of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

By 2030, managing diabetes could cost R35.1 billion, with much of that going to preventable complications like amputations and kidney failure.

Find out more in the comments.🔗

Floods in parts of Limpopo have left more than damaged homes behind. In communities already worried about rising mosquit...
26/02/2026

Floods in parts of Limpopo have left more than damaged homes behind.

In communities already worried about rising mosquito numbers, health officials are closely monitoring malaria risk in the weeks after the heavy rains.🦟

Here’s what usually happens after a flooding event and how you can protect yourself.

Find out more in the comments via Focus Baloyi and Judas Mohale-Sekwela🔗

26/02/2026

[WATCH] The floods may be over. But in Limpopo, a new fear is growing.

Communities in Vhembe, Mopani, Polokwane and surrounding villages say mosquitoes have become unbearable after the recent floods and they’re worried about malaria.🦟

“It’s the worst it’s been in the past 30 years, since I was born,” says 34-year-old Muxe Ngobeni from Khakhala.

At least four people have died of malaria in Limpopo this year. Since 1 April 2025, 838 cases have been recorded in the province.

While the Limpopo Department of Health says it is intensifying prevention efforts and has reached 70% of its indoor spraying campaign target, some residents say they’re relying on their own methods like burning egg trays, toilet paper and dried herbs, pouring engine oil into pit toilets, and using mosquito coils.

But experts warn that some informal methods may release toxic smoke and are not scientifically proven repellents.

With floodwaters receding, health officials say the risk may rise in the coming weeks.

Find out more in the comments via Focus Baloyi and Judas Mohale-Sekwela🔗

26/02/2026

[WATCH] The floods waters receded, but left mosquitoes.

In parts of Limpopo, residents say the buzzing hasn’t stopped and now they’re worried about malaria.🦟

“It’s the worst it’s been in the past 30 years,” says Muxe Ngobeni from Khakhala.

Since 1 April 2025:
🦟838 malaria cases recorded in Limpopo
💔 4 deaths in the province
📈3,900 cases nationally in 2025

The Limpopo government’s indoor spraying campaign is underway and has reached 70%, but locals say they’re still battling mosquitoes daily: burning egg trays, using coils and trying home remedies.

Experts from the warn malaria risk can increase 4–8 weeks after flooding.

Find out more at the link in bio via and Judas Sekwela.🔗

24/02/2026

[WATCH] “I started having an unexplained headache and running tummy.”

That’s how Maria Matlala from the Third House section in Zone 2, Seshego describes what happened after using tap water to take her medication.

Because of her poor eyesight, she didn’t notice the discolouration.

Residents say the water is dirty and has caused stomach cramps, runny tummy and nausea, with some illnesses dating back to early December 2025.

In December, Polokwane Mayor John Mpe declared the water safe after drinking from a tap. But when Health-e News visited last week, the water was still brown.

Now, the Human Rights Commission in Limpopo says it will prioritise the complaint laid by residents against the Polokwane Municipality and assign a qualified investigator to test the alleged contaminated water.

Find out more in the comments via Moyahabo Mabeba🔗

24/02/2026

[WATCH] Drinking tap water shouldn’t come with stomach cramps.🤢

But residents in the Third House section in Zone 2, Seshego say dirty water from their taps has caused stomach cramps, runny tummy and nausea since early December 2025.

Maria Matlala says she used the water to take her medication and later had headaches and a running tummy.

In December, Mayor John Mpe declared the water safe. But when Health-e News visited last week, it was still discoloured.

Now, the Human Rights Commission in Limpopo says it will prioritise the community’s complaints and appoint a qualified investigator to test the water.

Find out more at the link in bio via .mabeba 🔗

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎Thabang Thembani, Focus BaloyiDrop a comment to welcome them to our community, fa...
19/02/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Thabang Thembani, Focus Baloyi

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

19/02/2026

[WATCH] 43.8%. That’s where youth unemployment is sitting right now.📊

In Q4 of 2025, about 4.6 million young people aged 15–34 were unemployed.🙆‍♀️

Back in December 2025, we reported from Mahikeng on how unemployment was already affecting young people’s mental health.

One woman told us she blocked her friends on social media just to protect herself from comparisons. A graduate said the constant applications and silence were mentally draining.💔

Professor Ankebé Kruger, a psychologist at the NWU’s Centre for Health and Human Performance, says that economic instability and job scarcity are taking a toll on young people’s mental health.

The stats are new. The pressure isn’t.

How is unemployment affecting young people in your community?

Find out more in the comments via Kagiso Keipopele🔗

19/02/2026

[WATCH] 43.8% isn’t just a number.📊

It’s the share of young people (15–34) who couldn’t find work in Q4 2025, about 4.6 million people.🙆‍♀️

In December 2025, we spoke to youth in Mahikeng who said unemployment was affecting their mental health, confidence and relationships.

Blocking friends. Questioning yourself. Feeling stuck. The numbers moved slightly. The reality hasn’t.

Find out more at the link in bio via .🔗

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Health-e News is South Africa's only independent health news agency, supplying the country with news from cities and villages via a network of citizen journalists and experienced, award-winning TV and print journalists.