Spotlight lodged a Promotion of Access to Information Act application for all documents relating to a R352-million health department communications tender. Our five-part investigation 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.
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.
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.
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni put out a Twitter appeal last week for inputs on his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement which he delivers today. The Rural Health Advocacy Project’s Russell Rensburg heeded his call and has compiled some “Tips for Tito”.
The Rural Health Advocacy Project’s Samantha Khan-Gillmore makes a impassioned plea for the Office of Health Standards Compliance to be capacitated to do more.
National Health Insurance is supposed to shrink the gulf between the public and private health sector. SECTION27 Researcher Thabang Pooe recently experienced both sides in one day. Here she reflects on her observations.
Spotlight returned to the North West recently to take the temperature of the health system. Sadly, the picture is not pretty. The health system has faced massive protests at health facilities, rampant corruption, staff shortages, drug supply challenges and a myriad other problems. One mother shared her story of loss.
A company with a track record of supplying inferior medical equipment to the Free State health department recently sent five mobile x-ray units to Pelonomi Hospital, but it had to be returned after a key part of the machines was too short, making it unusable and increasing the risk of radiation exposure for patients. By Anso Thom and Marcus Low.
The Free State Department of Health has advertised a large new three-year private ambulance tender that flies in the face of comments by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi that it is not national policy to outsource ambulance services. Spotlight also has evidence that a Municipal government employee attended the pre-bid briefing on behalf of controversial businessman Thapelo Buthelezi. By Marcus Low and Anso Thom.
If our hospitals were mines they would be declared unsafe. Unfortunately though our canary-babies and their mothers can’t choose not to go into the mine.
Once upon a time and not so long ago our politicians and senior public servants cared about the lives of other people. They cared about the loss of life. They took personal risks to prevent it. They went to prison. They went into exile. They risked their own security and comfort. That was once upon a time. That was history.
It is one year since the Life Esidimeni arbitration kicked off. Ngqabutho Mpofu reflects on what has happened since and what still needs to happen for true justice to be delivered to those who were wronged.