LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST: A Recap on its progress and what to expect

By Julia Chaskalson, October 6, 2021

Posted in: Latest, Mental Health

The ongoing judicial inquest into the deaths of mental healthcare users during the Life Esidimeni tragedy in 2016, has again been postponed this week. It is the fifth time the proceedings have been postponed since the inquest started in July this year, signalling that there is still a long road ahead for determining any criminal accountability for these deaths. Julia Chaskalson takes stock of the progress so far and what to expect in the months ahead.

Tags: access to mental health services Department of Health featured Gauteng Department of Health Justice Dikgang Moseneke Life Esidimeni Life Esidimeni Inquest mental health mental health budgets mental health medication mental health treatment mental healthcare services mental healthcare users Public Health

LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST: A Recap on its progress and what to expect

In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng?

By Ufrieda Ho, October 5, 2021

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

As World Sight Day approaches on 14 October, Gauteng faces the damning reality that thousands of cataract patients are waiting up to two years to receive the simple life-changing surgery. Ufrieda Ho reports.

Tags: cataract surgery backlog cataracts Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital COVID-19 Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi eyecare featured Gauteng Health Department Gauteng Health MEC healthcare users healthcare workers Leratong Hospital Ophthalmology Public Health Sebokeng Hospital waiting lists

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In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng?

Mental Health: How are we doing? What do we need to do?

By Professor Lesley Robertson, October 4, 2021

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

In its observations on South Africa, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) expressed grave concern regarding the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities. Professor Lesley Robertson looks at our medical model of disability and mental health legislation and unpacks the change needed at the societal and health system levels.

Tags: access to mental health services Department of Health disability featured health systems reform healthcare providers mental health mental health awareness month mental health conditions Mental health literacy person-centred mental healthcare Professor Lesley Robertson psychiatric hospitals public health expenditure public health sector World Health Organization

Mental Health: How are we doing? What do we need to do?

EDITORIAL: Spotlight on mental health

By Alicestine October, October 4, 2021

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mental Health

In the spirit of mental health awareness month this October, Spotlight will publish a mental health special series in the coming weeks. This is what you can expect.

Tags: access to mental health services bipolar disorder Cecilia Makiwane Hospital depression EASTERN CAPE HEALTH featured Life Esidimeni Life Esidimeni Inquest mental health awareness month mental health budgets mental health conditions mental health services National Health Insurance National Mental Health Policy Framework NHI OHSC public protector South African Federation for Mental Health Tower Hospital treatment guidelines

COVID-19: How to respond to vaccine hesitancy

By Chris Bateman, September 30, 2021

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Initially hamstrung by low and uncertain supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, government is arguably now in a better position to campaign actively to accelerate vaccine demand, albeit in the midst of an often-harmful viral “infodemic”. Chris Bateman asks what can be done to boost demand for the jab.

Tags: COVID vaccine COVID-19 Department of Health Electronic Vaccine Data System EVDS featured Groote Schuur Hospital national vaccine rollout strategy Pfizer Professor Glenda Gray SAMRC Sisonke Trial South African Medical Research Council vaccine hesitancy vaccine supply

COVID-19: How to respond to vaccine hesitancy

Eastern Cape health services hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages, report finds

By Luvuyo Mehlwana, September 29, 2021

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, Provinces

Findings of a clinic monitoring report released last week, again highlighted how delivery of health services in the Eastern Cape are hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages. Luvuyo Mehlwana unpacks the data and the provincial health department’s plans to address the challenges identified in the report.

Tags: access to healthcare access to medicine ART ARVs CCMDD programme Clinic monitoring clinical staff Community Health Care Workers contraceptives Eastern Cape Department of Health featured health budgets health workers HIV HIV programme Nomakhosazana Meth primary health care primary health facilities public health facilities Ritshidze Project Rolene Wagner stockouts TB Treatment Action Campaign

Eastern Cape health services hamstrung by staff and medicine shortages, report finds

Big Acts, little access: The disconnect between SA’s abortion policies and women’s lived realities

By Boitumelo Masipa and Thembi Mahlathi, September 28, 2021

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest, Reproductive Health, SRHR

Since the enactment of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP Act) in 1996, there has been a significant disconnect between the official policy on safe abortion and its implementation. The situation has worsened with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and access to abortion services is now severely limited, write Boitumelo Masipa and Thembi Mahlathi.

Tags: abortion care access to healthcare Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act Department of Health designated CTOP facilities featured Gauteng Department of Health illegal abortions public health facilities SECTION27 Sexual and reproductive health rights unsafe abortions

Big Acts, little access: The disconnect between SA’s abortion policies and women’s lived realities

Opinion: A look at new abortion guidelines

By Marion Stevens and Daphney Nozizwe Conco, September 28, 2021

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, SRHR

The new national clinical guidelines for the implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act serve as an opportunity to strengthen services in providing much-needed clarity and guidance to health workers. Marion Stevens and Nozizwe Conco unpack these guidelines on International Safe Abortion Day.

Tags: abortion care abortion services Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion Department of Health featured National Clinical Guidelines for the Implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act Sexual and reproductive health rights Sexual Reproductive Justice Coalition SRHR SRJC

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Opinion: A look at new abortion guidelines

COVID-19: Is SA vaccinating enough older persons to protect against possible fourth wave?

By Chris Bateman, September 27, 2021

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest

Just 54% of people in South Africa over the age of 50 have received at least one COVID-19 jab, with significant variation between provinces, as experts warn of the possibility of another wave of COVID-19 in future. Chris Bateman reports.

Tags: COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccination delta variant Department of Health featured fourth wave Joe Phaahla minister of health national vaccine rollout strategy Nicholas Crisp Pfizer SAMRC Shabir Madhi South African Medical Research Council vaccine hesitancy vaccine literacy virus mutations

COVID-19: Is SA vaccinating enough older persons to protect against possible fourth wave?

In Focus: Water shortages in parts of Free State affecting health services

By Refilwe Mochoari, September 23, 2021

Posted in: Free State, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Qwaqwa, situated in the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality is close to the Sterkfontein Dam, which is one of the four biggest dams in the country. Yet, hospitals and clinics in and around Qwaqwa have for years struggled with dirty water, dry taps, and constant water interruptions. Refilwe Mochoari reports.

Tags: dams featured Free State Department of Health health facilities health infrastructure hospitals infection control QwaQwa Ritshidze water and sanitation water crisis water shortages

In Focus: Water shortages in parts of Free State affecting health services

NHI Lawmakers: Interview with Kenneth Jacobs, new chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health

By Biénne Huisman, September 22, 2021

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Dr Kenneth Jacobs was elected chairperson of the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Health last month. Biénne Huisman chatted to Jacobs about National Health Insurance, the role of Parliament, working with the Stormers rugby team, and his own background and journey to serving as chair of such an important parliamentary committee.

Tags: accountability and oversight Corruption in Health Department of Health Digital Vibes Dr Kenneth Jacobs Dr Zweli Mkhize featured National Health Insurance national health insurance bill NHI Parliament parliamentary oversight Portfolio Committee on Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo Springboks Stellenbosch University Zondo Commission

NHI Lawmakers: Interview with Kenneth Jacobs, new chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health

COVID-19: What is behind Limpopo’s vaccination numbers?

By Mogale Mojela, September 21, 2021

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest, Limpopo, Provinces

Limpopo has consistently been one of South Africa’s leading provinces when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, outshining some larger and less rural provinces such as Gauteng. Mogale Mojela visited some vaccination sites and spoke to the Limpopo health department and other stakeholders about their approach to getting people jabbed.

Tags: COVID-19 COVID-19 response featured Limpopo Department of Health national vaccine rollout strategy Phopi Ramathuba vaccination sites