South Africa

The Story

South Africa, the "Rainbow Nation", is a mosaic of cultures with ethnicities such as Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans speakers. Its 11 official languages paint a rich cultural tapestry mirroring its complex history. This heritage is celebrated through its diverse music, dance, and cuisine, which fuses indigenous, European, and Asian elements. However, the nation contends with deep-rooted poverty stemming from apartheid-era disparities. Despite having top-notch private healthcare, it remains inaccessible to many. A large segment of the less fortunate depends on strained public health services. To address this, the government is introducing initiatives like the National Health Insurance plan. Additionally, while South Africa has a notable HIV/AIDS incidence, significant progress has been made in availing treatments. Our South African chapter of CHF students, committed to giving back, adopted a hospital in Kamhlushwa town. They undertook a study at the Kamhlushwa clinic, employing interviews and observational methods to understand its challenges, aiming to offer sustainable solutions. They identified the Lack of chairs in the waiting room, wheelchairs for patients who are very sick and don’t have the strength to walk., BP machines and cabins to store the medication. They also identified there is no privacy for young people to freely consult about contraceptives or to do HIV testing because they fear adults since they all consult in the same place.
There are no health education programs in the clinic that educate young and old people to take care of their health. CHF is now collaborating with a local vendor in South Africa to procure and donate the necessary items.