South Africa: Widening gulf between Khayelitsha and Cape Town

In Khayelitsha, diarrhoea and gastro-enteritis have overtaken HIV/Aids as the biggest killer of children under five years with the deaths doubling over the last four years. By mid- 2004, 60 Khayelitsha toddlers had died of diarrhoeal disease, a preventable and treatable illness. “Lack of access to basic services does impact on the health of a community, especially children,” said Dr Ivan Toms, head of Cape Town’s health services.