Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pandemic Magnifies South Africa's Mental Health Care Problems, Experts Say

Franco Puglisi

   JOHANNESBURG - The coronavirus has hit South Africa harder than any
   other country on the continent.'¯So far it has infected more
   than'¯23,000 people'¯and killed more than 480.'¯But the disease is
   also'¯impacting'¯the mental wellbeing of many people coping'¯with
   social isolation and the economic impact'¯of the virus.'¯

   South African Wendy, 60, Jones hasn't been able to work for 15 years
   due to debilitating mental health problems.

   She is not allowed to drive and, with the health care system focused on
   the outbreak of COVID-19, getting the right treatment has become a
   bigger challenge.

   "I personally feel more anxious, I get really'¯worried, and'¯with who
   do I go to?'¯Am I on the right medications, should my medications'¯be
   increased? I don't know these things, I need somebody to tell me, you
   trust, your trust in the medical system as it is, it should be
   complete, it should be absolute, but it isn't,"'¯ she said.

.