Unemployed doctors spend a night outside KZN health offices
KZN health MEC assures unemployed doctors that their concerns are being addressed at the highest government levels.
Health Systems
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Toxicology backlog in SA delays burials, leaves grieving mother in limbo
South Africa's toxicology backlog dates as far back as 2007. With only three toxicology labs operational nationwide, the cases keep stacking up.
Patients are being turned away from GP public health facilities, report shows
Patients using public healthcare facilities in Gauteng report being refused access to healthcare services, shortage of healthcare workers, hostile services and punitive action for people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) who miss appointments to collect treatment. These are some of the…
HIV in KZN: new report shows the most vulnerable still face stigma and hostile services
Public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) face a shortage of health workers; there are limited pick-up points for HIV treatment; and key populations continue to face hostile attitudes from healthcare workers and a lack of privacy. These are just some…
Don’t fall for fakes: Here’s how to spot a bogus doctor
[This story was first published on 17 October 2023. It’s been updated to reflect the latest developments] Bogus health professionals have been a hot topic in South Africa lately. One of the more sensational is the story of ‘Tik Tok’…
Community’s 12-year wait for a health centre may soon be over
Twelve years back, the North West Department of Health started construction on a multi-million rand, state-of-the-art community health centre (CHC) in Mathibestad in the Moretele local municipality. The project was meant to be completed in 2015. But the unfinished building…
Pregnant women in Moretele go months without ultrasound scans
It’s been three months since expectant mothers in Seutelong in Moretele, North West province have been able to get an ultrasound scan at Sediane clinic. Patients say they have repeatedly been told that the doctor is not available. The clinic…
Robbed, kidnapped and hijacked: the perilous task of South Africa’s paramedics
“We do not expect to be robbed or held at gunpoint while saving lives,” says Levy Leburu, an emergency medical services (EMS) worker based in Jouberton near Klerksdorp in the North West province. In August he started an online petition…
New report shows EC patients still face stigma and poor health services
Eastern Cape patients using public health facilities report being turned away, those living with HIV being shouted at, while key populations face hostile services from healthcare workers. These are some of the findings outlined in a new report by Ritshidze,…
Access to health services a major concern as Treasury mulls budget cuts
Academics, activists and medical professionals have rung the alarm bell over the further deterioration of South Africa’s public health services if stringent budget-cutting measures are implemented immediately. South Africa has been facing fiscal strain with increased interest rates and high…
New report shows shortcomings in Free State public health service despite some improvement
Patients using public health facilities in the Free State face hostile services, staff shortages, and long waiting times. Some patients have even reported being turned away and denied care. These are just some of the findings of a report published…
Patients in South Africa living in limbo amid stoma bag shortage in government hospitals
“I don’t even want to leave the house. I am scared that I might leak urine or faeces in public – this usually happens when I am at home. I am stressed most of the time, and live with consistent…
Patients, staff complain about water crisis in KZN hospitals
The quality and availability of water have been a major issue at two hospitals in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN). At Montebello Hospital in Ndwedwe families have to bring water when visiting sick relatives because the tap water at the hospital is…
Court orders national health department to disclose details of Covid-19 vaccine contracts
The National Department of Health has less than 10 days to hand over all the copies of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement contracts to the Health Justice Initiative (HJI). This follows a court judgement handed down by the North Gauteng High…
One ambulance for 96 villages as cash strapped Limpopo health fails to replace and repair broken ones
Residents in over 96 villages in Giyani, Limpopo, have been relying on a single ambulance for medical emergencies since the beginning of the year. “When you contact the Giyani EMS station for an ambulance, they will tell you straight that…