Analysis: High turn-over in Health MECs continues

Analysis: High turn-over in Health MECs continues

After the 2019 elections, new MECs for Health (provincial ministers) were appointed in four of South Africa’s nine provinces. Less than two years later, three of the four are no longer in their jobs, writes Marcus Low.

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In-depth: Getting Gauteng’s HIV and TB response back on track

In-depth: Getting Gauteng’s HIV and TB response back on track

From March to July this year, the Gauteng Department of Health recorded 57 848 TB tests – a decrease of about 30 000 tests compared to the same period last year. The province performed better with HIV testing, although the HIV response has faltered in other areas. Melissa Javan makes sense of the province’s numbers and speaks to activists and community health workers about the impact of lockdown on their services and plans to get things back on track.  

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In-depth: Women living with HIV, still waiting on redress after ‘forced sterilisations’

In-depth: Women living with HIV, still waiting on redress after ‘forced sterilisations’

Almost nine months since the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) released a damning report with dozens of women living with HIV’s testimonies about forced sterilisations allegedly performed on them in public health facilities, the Department of Health has now moved to implement the Commission’s recommendations. Nomfundo Xolo reports.

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COVID-19: How provinces are catching up on elective procedures

COVID-19: How provinces are catching up on elective procedures

As South Africa prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals had to come up with plans to deal with the expected influx of COVID-19 patients. Part of this plan was that hospitals would minimise or temporarily put elective procedures on hold. Now, with the country at alert level 1 of its lockdown, Tiyese Jeranji looks at how four provinces are again phasing in elective procedures.

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IN-DEPTH: On the streets with paramedics amid COVID-19 and high crime rates

IN-DEPTH: On the streets with paramedics amid COVID-19 and high crime rates

In South Africa responding to medical emergencies can mean risking your life, possible assault and losing some of your belongings. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and added to  these daily challenges faced by paramedics. Melissa Javan investigates.

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IN-DEPTH: Are clinic committees a missing link in SA’s COVID-19 response?

IN-DEPTH: Are clinic committees a missing link in SA’s COVID-19 response?

Clinic Committees can be a powerful link between the community and primary healthcare facilities. Several clinic committee members however say they have been side-lined in South Africa’s COVID-19 response. Tiyese Jeranji reports.

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COVID-19: Western Cape and Gauteng prepare for the peak

COVID-19: Western Cape and Gauteng prepare for the peak

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called the COVID-19 pandemic the gravest crisis in the country’s democratic history. Now, with the Western Cape and Gauteng making up nearly 64 percent of the country’s total confirmed infections, Kathryn Cleary asked departments of health in both provinces how prepared they are for the coming peak.

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COVID-19: R500bn and the case for procurement reform

COVID-19: R500bn and the case for procurement reform

President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to act strongly against any corruption and profiteering from the COVID-19 crisis but the systems in place to guard against this may be falling short. Spotlight looked at preliminary spending figures and asked some experts about how public money can be safeguarded during this time.

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#Whatitslike: Heading up Charlotte Maxeke’s Emergency Department in the time of COVID-19

#Whatitslike: Heading up Charlotte Maxeke’s Emergency Department in the time of COVID-19

Professor Feroza Motara remembers how she felt when the Minister of Health announced in February that the hospital where she works would become a designated COVID-19 hospital. Melissa Javan interviewed her about life and work on the frontlines of South Africa’s COVID-19 response.

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Mamelodi Hospital: A promising new start after last year’s handcuffing scandal

Mamelodi Hospital: A promising new start after last year’s handcuffing scandal

Mamelodi Hospital in Pretoria made headlines in May last year when 76-year-old Martha Marais was found tied to a bench in the facility’s Accident and Emergency section. Spotlight visited the hospital to see what has changed.

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Gauteng Health MEC says department not just planning, but executing

Gauteng Health MEC says department not just planning, but executing

When Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku was sworn in last year, he committed to turn the department around – a department the Gauteng premier described as ‘on its knees’. Spotlight sat down with Masuku to talk about staff morale, COVID-19, NHI, Mamelodi Hospital, and more.

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