BHEKISISA: How Kwanele Asante’s 20-year fight for patients’ voices reached the UN
You may not know her name, but South African lawyer and bioethicist Kwanele Asante has spent two decades pushing health institutions — from Soweto to the United Nations – to listen to the people their policies are meant to serve. Sean Christie traces a life defined, from birth, by healthcare.
Kwanele Asante, a South African lawyer and bioethicist, has dedicated 20 years to advocating for patients' voices in healthcare institutions, from Soweto to the United Nations. Her journey began with a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent health challenges, which she now experiences as a combination of various ailments, rather than as separate diseases.
In September 2021, Asante delivered a powerful address at the United Nations General Assembly on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, representing the lived experience of those affected by these conditions. In February 2023, she faced another health crisis when Google AI mistakenly referred to her as "the late Kwanele Asante," which led to a wave of new health challenges.
Today, Asante's health issues include chronic treatment for chemotherapy-induced congestive heart failure, bipolar mood disorder, anxiety, and a functional neurological disorder. Despite these obstacles, Asante remains committed to her mission and refuses to be defined by any single illness or label.
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