For millions of South Africans, getting access to healthcare means risking their lives whenever they’re ill. Clinics and hospitals are rare in some parts of their country … Especially in extremely isolated areas such as Bulungula in the Eastern Cape province. Here, people must undertake dangerous and arduous journey’s to reach their closest health facility. And even when they do, it’s not certain that they’ll be helped.
A Trip to a Health Clinic in South Africa's Bulungula District
5
Senyuko is coughing up blood, so she holds a cloth in front of her mouth. (VOA/D. Taylor)
6
On the way to the clinic, Bongesi Gashe picks up numerous empty medicine boxes and bottles that have been discarded by other ill people who’ve visited the health facility (VOA/D.Taylor)
7
The party of ill people must negotiate rough terrain, including a forest, to get to healthcare. (VOA/D. Taylor)
8
After walking for two hours, Bongesi Gashe reaches Nkanya Clinic (VOA/D. Taylor)