NHI pilot district “shows signs of collapse”
The Mpumalanga Department of Health is crumbling as the province struggles with deadly shortages of equipment, medicine and staff.
Health Systems
Read More » NHI pilot district “shows signs of collapse”
Emergency medical services leave patients stranded
Women in Mpumalanga are teaching themselves to deliver babies because there is such a dire shortage of ambulances, which take up to six hours to respond to calls.
Thousands face disability as orthopaedic services collapse
Mpumalanga has the country’s highest rate of road accident deaths, but when survivors are pulled from the wreckage, there are just four doctors in the province who can mend their bones – and the wait to see them may kill and maim many.
Drug-resistant TB patients lost in the system
Mpumalanga patients with drug-resistant TB say health workers at specialist TB hospitals in Standerton and Barberton keep them in the dark about their diagnosis and treatment.
Mothers deliver in filing room
Staff at Limpopo’s Matavhela Clinic in Vhembe say they have run out of room to house new mums and babies or guarantee patients’ privacy.
Orlando West clinic without running water, working toilets
Orlando West’s Mandela Sisulu Clinic near the Phefeni Railway Station has no working taps or toilets. Patients say conditions in the clinic named after the struggle stalwarts are disgusting.
Government to promote infant male circumcision
With government still far off its goal to medically circumcise 4.3 million by 2016, Department of Health officials say they plan to begin promoting medical male circumcision (MMC) among infants and young boys.
Dilapidated Tshwane health office without computers
Lodging a complaint with the Tshwane Department of Health’s regional office in Mabopane is nearly impossible as it lacks working computers, internet access and even door handles.
Report: S. African National AIDS Council Annual Performance Plan 2014/15
The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) outlines its plan for the next three years in this 48-page performance plan.
Civil society groups threaten to sue Eastern Cape Dept of Health
Activists from more than 30 civil society organisations have again threatened to take the Eastern Cape Department of Health to court over alleged failure to fix the provincial health services.
Distance not the only barrier between disabled and care
Ramps, floor lighting and sign language interpreters are just a few of the simple things disabled people say they need to access health care but few health facilities are well-equipped.
Report: Summary of Competition Commission submissions
Public interest organisation Section27 has summarised inputs from the Department of Health, medical schemes, civil society and others on documents set to form the base of the Competition Commission market inquiry into the private health care sector.
Draft Regulations: Dispensing fee for pharmacists
The public has until 15 September to submit comments on this draft legislation regarding pharmacist dispensing fees released by the South African government.
Controversial policy to regulate doctors on hold
The Department of Health has decided to shelve plans to regulate where doctors could practice – at least temporarily.
Mandela Day answer to Tshepong Hospital’s dirty laundry
Tshepong Hospital’s laundry caters to about 20 North West hospitals. Mandela Day inspired volunteers to pitch in to lighten winter’s heavy laundry load.