FemmeFocus Junction

  I have been working in South Africa’s healthcare system for 9 years now, during all the festive seasons except for December 2022, when I was on maternity leave. I willingly made this choice, mostly because my family does not celebrate Christmas. I feel happy to know that my colleagues who celebrate during this time can spend time with their families. We know that we are part of a team and can support each other and fulfill our duties. We have to take extra care and consideration for the patients who are also in the hospital during the festive season. Some patients might show up to casualty with vague complaints just because they didn’t want to be alone. We have even had women coming to maternity complaining of decreased fetal movement, and not initially disclosing to us that she has been a victim of gender-based violence. There are those patients who delay presenting to the hospital with their illness and they present very ill, in need of resuscitation, blood transfusion, or IC...

  It is that time of the year when things tend to slow down, and we have time to reflect on what has happened through the past eleven months. Looking back, I have a good feeling about this year. We have been happy and healthy and trying our best to survive. I want to elaborate on the different aspects of my life. My health journey: I have not had any major health issues this year besides those intense dentist visits and getting crowns for my teeth which cost a fortune. My pap smears and blood tests are up-to-date. The thought of having to do mammograms in my 40s from next year is scary. Mentally there are those days when I feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, and exhausted, but I am trying to give myself precious time to journal, read a book, and relax. Physically, I have not been successful in my weight loss journey this year, but I hope to do better next year. We cannot eat what we used to eat in our 20s and have the same figure. Work has been going well. The first half of the y...

  The 1st of December is marked as World ADIS Day. The purpose of this is to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and honour those who are affected by the disease. This year’s theme is “ Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress  “. The day was first observed in 1988, and since then significant progress has been made in addressing HIV/AIDS through advancements in medical research, increased access to treatment and prevention, and a broader understanding of the virus. The objectives of dedicating a day to HIV/AIDS is to: Raise awareness about the disease's impact Support the affected groups Promote  HIV testing and prevention Advocate for policies and programs that support research, treatment, and prevention   We can all get involved by: Wearing a red ribbon , which is the symbol of the world AIDS day Sharing information about HIV/AIDS on social media Participating in local events and fundraisers Supporting organizations that work on H...