People: Face to face with Dr Bandile Masuku
Dr Bandile Masuku was recently appointed as MEC for Health in Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province. Biénne Huisman asked him about the task ahead.
#People: Face to face with Jack Bloom
When it comes to healthcare, Jack Bloom is arguably the most well-known opposition politician in South Africa. Biénne Huisman went to meet the man behind the headlines.
Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Circulars on migrants may be a sign of things to come
OPINION: The first few days of March 2019 must have been a time of great uncertainty for migrants in South Africa in need of health care services. Circulars by the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal health departments said that all non-South Africans, other than refugees, would from now on have to pay in full for all health care services at public clinics and hospitals. By Sasha Stevenson
Life Esidimeni Arbitration: Testimonies
SECTION27 is representing 66 families whose loved ones passed away as a result of the Marathon Project. The arbitration heard heartbreaking testimony from family members – represented separately by SECTION27, The Legal Aid Clinic and Solidarity – about the state in which they found their loved ones.
Hospital horrors
The hospital is full. Two young girls lie on trolleys in the main hallway. They are wrapped in pink blankets; drips come out of
their arms and hang on the walls. One looks in severe agony. She calls out for a nurse again and again. heir mother tells
us that they arrived at the hospital seven hours ago and have yet to leave the hallway.
Spotlight on health MECs: Gwen Ramokgopa
Government’s merry-go-round of political appointments saw Gwen Ramokgopa return to the position of MEC for Health in Gauteng in February – a post she first held in 1999.
TAC survey highlights poor infection control in clinics
By Marcus Low Tuberculosis (TB) infection control measures in some South African public sector clinics fall woefully short. This is according to an infection control survey that was published by…
HIV docs win quack HIV gel case
The South Gauteng High Court this week ruled in favour of the SA HIV Clinicians Society in its legal battle with a doctor who promoted a product marketed as Dr Hugh’s Dermo Blue Pre-sex Protection Gel, which claimed to prevent HIV infection.
PR and platitudes
By Ufrieda Ho – It’s ‛good governance’ week for the Public Protector’s office at the beginning of October and officials are going through the motions of holding a community meeting in Vosloorus. The meeting is however, already running over an hour behind schedule.
A new coalition for people-centred health care
By Ufrieda Ho – Two specific issues emerged as priorities for Gauteng from the Provincial Health Assembly this year: migration and mental health.
Getting the system to work
By Ufrieda Ho – Staff shortages remain a massive challenge for the public health service.
Rich province, poor health care
By Ufrieda Ho – In money terms, Gauteng’s health budget looks plump and healthy at R37,4 billion for the 2016-2017 financial year – R2.07 billion more than the previous financial year.