South Africa: Why did Bafikile feel so unwell?
Without help, Bafikile may not have found out why she felt so ill until it was too late.
Bafikile lives in Embo, South Africa. She had started rapidly losing weight, had a cough that wouldn’t go away, and seemed tired all the time. So Bafikile’s sister asked Annastasia for help.
Annastasia is an MAI-supported community caregiver, who helps those in her community who are struggling with their health. Many people in Embo don’t understand what support they are entitled to or how they can access it when they start experiencing health problems, so caregivers like Annastasia act as a vital connection between those like Bafikile and the Embo Clinic.
When Annastasia went to visit Bafikile, she was bedridden. Annastasia recommended that Bafikile go to the Embo clinic to take tests for TB. If left untreated, TB can lead to permanent lung damage, and can even be life-threatening.
Annastasia organised a driver to take Bafikile to the clinic for tests. The tests came back positive for TB. Although this wasn’t good news, at least Bafikile now understood why she had been feeling so unwell, and was able to start the right treatments.
With help from Annastasia (pictured right) and medical care from the clinic, Bafikile (pictured left) saw her health improve, and she has been able to return to work.
In 2024, the Community Caregiver team at the Embo Clinic supported 281 vulnerable people struggling with illness like Bafikile, thanks to the support and prayers of people like you.
Bafikile’s story was included in our latest annual review. She is just one of the thousands of people whose lives were changed for the better in 2024, thanks to the generosity of MAI supporters. You can read our annual review online here, and find more inspiring stories of how our partners are bringing health and hope to those facing their hardest times.
