Rural Health Advocacy Project

2026 begins with a renewed commitment to rural health equity. It is a moment to reflect on the persistent gaps in access, resources, and outcomes that continue to shape the realities of rural communities.

Rural health funding must remain a priority despite economic strain, budget cuts should not deepen existing disparities in rural communities. It's critical to have strong, equitable budgeting to ensure accessible health services.

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RHAP is dedicated to realising the right to health for people in rural areas by advocating for equitable access to healthcare and strengthening accountability systems. #ruralhealthcare

Read more in our policy briefs by visiting our resources page: rhap.org.za/resource_typ...

Rural Health Conference 2025: Voices, activism, and action for equity With the theme ‘Rural Health in Real Life’, the 28th Rural Health Conference brought together health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and communities, to once again tackle […]

ICYMI | Rural areas face unique healthcare challenges such as limited access to services and staff shortages. #RHC2025 highlighted how communities, health workers, and policymakers are driving activism and action for equity in rural health.

Read more: rhap.org.za/2025/09/rura...

Long distances & poor roads delay rural healthcare. About 15% of the population travel 1hr+ to a clinic, while 20% are an hour away to a hospital, then face ambulance shortages. These delays can lead to poor health outcomes for TB patients.

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Teenage pregnancy is a major driver of school dropouts in SA. A Bushbuckridge study found that almost 16% of grade 8–11 girls fell pregnant during the study, making them 2.36x more likely to drop out, repeat grades, or struggle with attendance.

Read more: bit.ly/3zBpjTp

Mental health in rural SA needs a dedicated strategy to ensure communities are not left behind As a country South Africa has strong mental health policies on paper. But these are not being implemented equitably. Rural areas are especially disadvantaged, with […]

In rural SA, mental health is under-resourced & often invisible. Dr Bianca Moffett warns: policies mean little without dedicated strategy & culturally relevant care. No one should be left behind. #WorldMentalHealthDay

Read more: rhap.org.za/2025/07/ment...

Malnutrition remains a major challenge in South Africa’s fight against TB. In EC, lack of nutritional support, unemployment, and household hunger make treatment harder. TB survivor, Vuyiswa Zanekile stressed that patients would manage treatment better with enough food. #NationalNutritionWeek

Championing cancer advocacy in rural South Africa: CANSA’S Zodwa Sithole on advocacy, challenges, and hope Breast cancer affects thousands of South Africans every year, yet rural communities often face the greatest barriers in accessing life-saving information, screening, and care. In […]

Breast cancer affects thousands of SAs each year, but in rural communities, access to info, screening & care remains limited. This #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, we spotlight @CANSA's Zodwa Sithole who is working tirelessly to change this reality.

Read more: rhap.org.za/2024/10/cham...

Resilience in Healing: Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka on indigenous medicine and African heritage Growing up in Xhora, Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape, Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka was surrounded by healers. “My grandmother was a fertility herbalist, helping women struggling […]

Coming up at #RHC2025, Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka will explore resilience through an indigenous healing lens in Africa. Her work shows how African heritage shapes health and healing in rural contexts.

We spoke to her to get her insights, read more here: rhap.org.za/2025/08/resi...

Fighting stigma and strengthening TB treatment in Ehlanzeni district, Mpumalanga By: Palesa Chidi Tuberculosis (TB) remains a formidable public health challenge in South Africa, particularly in rural districts like Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga. Despite TB being […]

TB remains one of SA’s most persistent and deadly public health challenges, especially in rural areas. Ernest Nkanyana, a dedicated health worker and Chair of the Civil Society Forum in Bushbuckridge shares stark realities and solutions.

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Resilience in Healing: Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka on indigenous medicine and African heritage Growing up in Xhora, Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape, Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka was surrounded by healers. “My grandmother was a fertility herbalist, helping women struggling […]

Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka reflects on the strength found in indigenous medicine and African heritage. Her views highlights how traditional knowledge continues to shape healing and resilience in rural communities. #AfricanTraditionalMedicineWeek

Read more: rhap.org.za/2025/08/resi...

Dr Nicole Fiolet leads the charge against cervical cancer and diabetes in rural Mpumalanga Dr Nicole Fiolet leads the charge against cervical cancer and diabetes in rural Mpumalanga Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among South African women. Every year in South Africa, approximately 10,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, […]

In rural Mpumalanga, Dr Nicole Fiolet is transforming women’s healthcare. At Tintswalo Hospital, she turned a gap in cervical cancer screening into one of the province’s few dedicated women’s clinics, tackling cervical cancer. #WomensMonth2025

Read more: rhap.org.za/2025/08/dr-n...

Is the voice of the patient considered? RHAP Director, Russell Rensburg, will unpack this question at the GIBS/PPS Healthcare Conference. This conversation is vital to ensuring that healthcare systems reflect patient realities and experiences.

Championing cancer advocacy in rural South Africa: CANSA’S Zodwa Sithole on advocacy, challenges, and hope Breast cancer affects thousands of South Africans every year, yet rural communities often face the greatest barriers in accessing life-saving information, screening, and care. In […]

Head of Advocacy at @CANSA, Zodwa Sithole's passion for cancer awareness was born from personal tragedy. She now leads national efforts to improve rural access to cancer screening, treatment, and support. Her work ensures no patient is left behind.

Read: rhap.org.za/2024/10/cham...

The Rural Health Advocacy Project advocates for equitable access to quality health care for rural communities in SA. We advocate for equity in health policy, resource allocation, and service delivery, because rural lives matter too. #RuralHealth

From Passion to Purpose: Lungi Gamede's Journey as a nurse By: Palesa Chidi Nurses are the unsung heroes of rural communities, where access to healthcare can be limited and the challenges they face are unique. […]

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, bringing hope and healing, especially in #rural areas with limited medical access.

Midwife Lungi Gamede shares her journey, highlighting the vital yet often unseen roles nurses play beyond medicine.

Read more: rhap.org.za/2024/05/from...

August is a powerful reminder of how far women have come, from silenced voices to community leaders and nation-builders. As Thumeka Ndobane reflects, this month reminds women of their right to speak, lead, and be seen as more than their homely roles. #WomensMonth

"A mother is everything, the eye of the family and the nation. She leads, nurtures, teaches, and sacrifices. It’s time the state truly protects, values, and uplifts women for the role they play in shaping society," says Nontsokolo Sigcawu, a Mankosi village resident. #WomensMonth

Championing rural wellness: Jabulile Ndlovu's journey in Occupational Therapy By: Palesa Chidi In the corners of rural KwaZulu-Natal, where resources are scarce and challenges are abundant, Jabulile Ndlovu stands as a beacon of hope […]

Rural Champion | Jabulile Ndlovu is improving rural health through occupational therapy, supporting stroke survivors, children with disabilities, and people with mental health conditions to live fuller, more independent lives. #RuralHealth

Read more: rhap.org.za/2024/07/cham...

In 2022, 40% of patients at SA clinics faced contraceptive stockouts. 76% lacked injectables. Many adolescent girls get fewer options & poor counselling, raising risks of side effects & unplanned pregnancies. #InternationalYouthDay

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A Limpopo study highlighted challenges nurses face in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, such as staff shortages, and limited support. Solutions like health education, door-to-door campaigns, and policy implementation can improve outcomes.

Read more: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Stronger Together: Service Providers and Communities Unite at the Rural Health Conference 2024 in Mpumalanga. By: Palesa Chidi, Celene Coleman and Hanifa Mahlangu “Together WE CAN Make a Difference”: Ms Lungile Kasapato Rural areas face unique challenges such as limited […]

The 2024 Rural Health Conference highlighted the power of collaboration between service providers and communities. RHAP looks forward to #RHC2025 under the theme Rural Health in Real Life. #RuralHealth

Read the recap here: rhap.org.za/2024/08/stro...

Traditional healers play a key role in rural mental health, offering first-line care and culturally grounded support. Collaborative care models linking traditional and biomedical systems expand access, reduce stigma, and improve early detection.

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Mental health in rural SA needs more than awareness, it needs strong support. From youth-friendly services to traditional healer partnerships and better data, these grounded interventions highlight what real progress looks like. #ruralhealth

Read more: bit.ly/3GZF3no

SA’s rural communities still battle to access basic healthcare due to overcrowded hospitals, understaffed clinics, and long distances worsened by poor roads and poverty. RHAP’s report shows how equitable UHC can help close these gaps.

Read full report: rhap.org.za/wp-content/u...

Mental health in rural SA needs a dedicated strategy to ensure communities are not left behind As a country South Africa has strong mental health policies on paper. But these are not being implemented equitably. Rural areas are especially disadvantaged, with […]

This #MentalIllnessAwarenessMonth, RHAP spoke to Dr Bianca Moffett on the urgent need for a mental health strategy in rural SA. Urban awareness is rising, but rural areas still face silence, stigma & a dire lack of services.

Read the full article here: bit.ly/3GZF3no

Nearly 1 in 3 South Africans live in rural areas, but mental health care remains out of reach. Women facing GBV are at high risk of depression and PTSD, yet in rural provinces, they’re often referred to cities due to a shortage of professionals. Read more: bit.ly/4dv4Yxi

Gender-based violence leaves invisible wounds. In KZN, 42.2% of rape survivors showed signs of depression, 32.7% had PTSD. In rural Limpopo, women spoke of isolation, anger, and hopelessness.

Read more on our policy brief: bit.ly/4dv4Yxi

2023 @RitshidzeSA data shows patients still leave clinics without meds due to stockouts. North West (44.4%), Mpumalanga (31%), and Eastern Cape (19.6%) among the worst. In Dr Kenneth Kaunda, 50% of staff said this happened.

Read more in our factsheet: rhap.org.za/wp-content/u...