Opinion: The devastating cost of the North West strikes
Nearly a year on from the crippling health sector strikes in the North West province the full cost is still to emerge. UFRIEDA HO reflects that even the “victors” lost.
Report exposes bullying, harassment and abuse at UNAIDS
An independent commissioned following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying by senior staff at UNAIDS has been released telling a story of patriarchy, harassment and abuse of authority. At…
12 questions answered on the state of SAHPRA
In February 2018 the Medicines Control Council was replaced by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Spotlight sent SAHPRA 12 questions to gauge how things are going with the new regulator.
Six advantages of dolutegravir
Dolutegravir is a critically important antiretroviral medicine that is set to become the backbone of South Africa and many other countries’ HIV programmes.
The SADMON Files 5: When social media doesn’t go viral
In 2015 Sadmon Projects and Consulting was awarded a three-year, R352 million communications contract by the Department of Health. The tender was for an external service provider to run a mass media communication and social media mobilisation campaign. The emphasis was on “mass”, and a successful social media strategy was therefore critical.
The SADMON Files 4: Autopsy of the Phila communications campaign
In 2015 Sadmon Projects and Consulting was awarded a three-year, R352 million communications contract by the Department of Health. Spotlight analysis of reports Sadmon submitted to the department (obtained through a Promotion of Access to Information Act request) paint a worrying picture of multiple delays and constant miscommunication – all while the bills for the public purse keep mounting up.
The SADMON Files 3: Red Ribbon or red flag?
In 2015 Sadmon Projects and Consulting was awarded a three-year, R352 million communications contract by the Department of Health. An essential part of the contract was the oversight, management and stock control at the Department’s Red Ribbon Resource Centre (RRRC) where the National Department of Health’s condoms, branding and communication materials are warehoused.
Sadmon threatens Spotlight with legal action
Spotlight today received a letter from lawyers representing Sadmon Consulting CC and its sole director Mr Cyril Sadiki threatening legal action should Spotlight publish any further articles relating to Sadmon’s R352-million contract with the Department of Health.
The SADMON Files 2: How not to manage a government contract
In 2015 Sadmon Projects and Consulting was awarded a three-year, R352 million communications contract by the Department of Health. Documents obtained by Spotlight through a PAIA show an astonishingly dysfunctional relationship between Sadmon and the department.
The monthly progress reports submitted by Sadmon are studded with incidences of frustration and finger pointing and Sadmon does not come across as the innovative, mass media communication (and project management) experts they profess to be.
The SADMON files 1: Government pushed R352m to controversial communications company
In 2017 Spotlight lodged a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for all documents relating to a R352-m health department communications tender. The aim was to understand how this bid was granted, what monies were paid to Sadmon and what was delivered in return. Our five-part investigation (this is part 1) provides an unprecedented perspective on one of South Africa’s most critical communication projects, and a unique insight into the interface between a service provider and government. It is not a pretty picture.
NHI shenanigans exposed
Presidential Advisor Dr Olive Shisana and Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi appear to have side-lined senior Department of Health and Treasury officials in preparing a new version of the National Health Insurance Bill for submission to Cabinet. Spotlight’s Marcus Low and Anso Thom report on a leaked letter.
Mankosi Clinic: The long and winding road to rural healthcare
The Mankosi Clinic story is a long and winding one, very much like the backroads in the Eastern Cape. Kathryn Cleary visited Mankosi Village, where a clinic was built starting in 2010, but eight years later remains empty. This is a story of broken promises and a community with poor access to healthcare.