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
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The boat is launched to cross the Xhora River in Bulungula, South Africa (VOA/D.Taylor)
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The ferryman rows the boat across the Xhora River … From left to right are American medical student Sam Partington and Buselwa Senyuko and Bongesi Gashe, who must journey to a distant clinic for medical help. (VOA/D.Taylor)
![Buselwa Senyuko [front] and Sam Partington on their way to meet the ferry at the Xhora River (VOA/D. Taylor)](https://gdb.voanews.com/65054A13-46C0-4181-AC43-88EDF43D24CB_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Buselwa Senyuko [front] and Sam Partington on their way to meet the ferry at the Xhora River (VOA/D. Taylor)
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Senyuko, who cannot swim, is overjoyed after crossing the river successfully (VOA/D. Taylor)