Eye health services in the public sector are critically impaired – it is high time the health department responds

By Haseena Majid and Rene Sparks, August 16, 2024

Posted in: Comment, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

Despite South Africa producing a substantial number of trained optometrists, the majority of them work in the private sector and in urban areas. This imbalance leaves rural communities underserved and exacerbates health inequities. Does it make sense for us to use public funds and institutions to train people predominantly for the private sector, ask Dr Haseena Majid and Rene Sparks.

Eye health services in the public sector are critically impaired – it is high time the health department responds

New Western Cape health MEC Mireille Wenger says child health is near her heart

By Biénne Huisman, August 14, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Access to Medicines, Child health, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Mireille Wenger was recently appointed to the Western Cape’s top health job. Biénne Huisman chatted to Wenger about health policy, child health, and the challenge of providing quality public health services at a time of shrinking budgets.

New Western Cape health MEC Mireille Wenger says child health is near her heart

EDITORIAL | Behind the Life Esidimeni headlines is the suffering of human beings who deserved better

By Spotlight Editors, August 1, 2024

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Editorial, Focus, Gauteng, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

While we focus here on the nine deaths that Judge Mmonoa Teffo found to be unnatural, there were 144 deaths associated with the Life Esidimeni tragedy. Ultimately, these were human beings and for the world to know what happened to them is better than the world not knowing.

EDITORIAL | Behind the Life Esidimeni headlines is the suffering of human beings who deserved better

Face to face: Healthcare veteran Kgosi Letlape on leaving the ANC, serving in parliament, and the tragic loss of his daughter

By Biénne Huisman, July 31, 2024

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

Former ANC member, now with ActionSA, Kgosi Letlape was recently elected to parliament’s health committee. Biénne Huisman spoke to the past president of the Health Professions Council of SA about leaving the ANC, healthcare in the country, gender-based violence, and the murder of his daughter.

Face to face: Healthcare veteran Kgosi Letlape on leaving the ANC, serving in parliament, and the tragic loss of his daughter

Medicines stockouts persist in North West as tide turns slowly

By Nthusang Lefafa, July 25, 2024

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, North West, Provinces, Spotlight, TB

Despite some improvement over the past three years, the North West province continues to experience medicine shortages, according to a survey by a community clinic monitoring initiative. Nthusang Lefafa unpacks the latest findings and asks why shortages persist in the province.

Medicines stockouts persist in North West as tide turns slowly

Walking with “nomakhayas”: How the Bulungula Incubator is creating change in Wild Coast communities

By Sue Segar, July 18, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Focus, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

An innovative health programme is thriving and making a difference in the lives of people in a rural Eastern Cape community. Sue Segar spent time with the project, walking with “nomakhayas” from house-to-house and taking a ferry trip across the Xhora river.

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Walking with “nomakhayas”: How the Bulungula Incubator is creating change in Wild Coast communities

Questions over new Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, but stakeholders willing to give her a chance

By Ufrieda Ho, July 15, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Limpopo, Provinces, Spotlight

The deployment of the relatively unknown Dieketseng Mashego as Limpopo’s new MEC for health has raised eyebrows. Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her appointment.

Questions over new Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, but stakeholders willing to give her a chance

How ‘NHI on wheels’ is bringing life-changing healthcare to young people in rural Eastern Cape

By Sue Segar, July 11, 2024

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Child health, Eastern Cape, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, NHI, Spotlight

The Keready project uses mobile clinics to take healthcare services to rural areas. Sue Segar spent time with the project as they took eye, dental, and other healthcare services to communities in the Eastern Cape.

How ‘NHI on wheels’ is bringing life-changing healthcare to young people in rural Eastern Cape

New North West health MEC Sello Lehari lacks health experience but vows to prioritise NHI

By Nthusang Lefafa, July 10, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, North West, Provinces, Spotlight

Sello Lehari is the newly-appointed MEC for health in the North West province. Critics have doubts about his deployment while healthcare unions stand ready with several items for his to-do list. Spotlight’s Nthusang Lefafa asked the new MEC about his plans.

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New North West health MEC Sello Lehari lacks health experience but vows to prioritise NHI

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko’s comeback as Gauteng health MEC sparks mixed reactions

By Ufrieda Ho, July 8, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Access to Medicines, Focus, Gauteng, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

ANC support in Gauteng dipped below 40% in the recent provincial elections and an ANC-lead minority government is now at the helm. Among those in Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s new Cabinet is Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko who’s been reappointed as MEC for health and wellness. Spotlight’s Ufrieda Ho rounds up some responses to her return.

Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko’s comeback as Gauteng health MEC sparks mixed reactions

Of South Africa’s nine health MECs, five are new

By Elri Voigt, July 4, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Focus, Free State, Gauteng, Healthcare system, InFocus, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Following South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial elections, the decisions about the top health jobs in the country’s nine provinces have now all been made. Elri Voigt rounds up the appointments.

Of South Africa’s nine health MECs, five are new

Cutting edge robotic surgery: Beacons of excellence at two Cape Town public hospitals

By Biénne Huisman, June 27, 2024

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, InFocus, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Within South Africa’s beleaguered public health sector – unsettled by budget cuts, understaffing, and divisive NHI legislation – cutting edge surgical robots that have been used to perform more than 600 surgeries at two Cape Town public hospitals are beacons of excellence that offer a glimmer of hope. Spotlight’s Biénne Huisman visited Dr Tim Forgan at Tygerberg Hospital to learn more.