Opinion: The devastating cost of the North West strikes
Nearly a year on from the crippling health sector strikes in the North West province the full cost is still to emerge. UFRIEDA HO reflects that even the “victors” lost.
Mankosi Clinic: The long and winding road to rural healthcare
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.
OHSC – need we help it to do more?
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.
NHI: A tale of two hospitals
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.
Health4Sale: Loss and more loss in the North West
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.
Health4Sale: More dodgy equipment supplied to the Free State
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
Health4Sale: Government employee represents private company as Free State again prepares to outsource part of ambulance service
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
Not forgotten: The sordid story of how Mosebenzi ‘Gupta’ Zwane’s thugs wreaked havoc in a Free State hospital
An article this week by the Daily Maverick’s Ferial Haffajee The sordid story of Mosebenzi ‘Gupta’ Zwane – South Africa’s most captured Cabinet minister reminds us just what a scumbag this former MEC, Minister and still Member of our Parliament is.
Memo to SAPS and NPA 12 May 2016
SAPS & NPA MARCH MEMORANDUM
Health Minister should be given greater powers
We need to amend the National Health Act (No. 61 of 2003) so as to give the Minister of Health greater powers to intervene in provinces and avert disasters in provinces. If we do not, the Minister’s hands will remain tied when it comes to the next Life Esidimeni, the ongoing oncology crisis, and the non-placement of medical interns, argues Dr Ndiviwe Mphothulo.
How rural stereotypes are being broken in Bulungula
An innovative project in Bulungula in the Eastern Cape is showing how quality healthcare and education can be provided in a deep rural area.
How “Nomakhayas” beat a scabies outbreak
With tenacity, teamwork and a plan of action, a group of community health workers in the Eastern Cape show just how effective they can be in bringing better healthcare to a rural community. UFRIEDA HO met these local heroes.