RIGHT OF REPLY: Reducing the surgical and cancer treatment backlogs is an urgent priority

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Gauteng, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Following an article in Spotlight bemoaning “the lack of urgency” by the Gauteng Department of Health in addressing cancer and surgical backlogs despite having been allocated funds toward this, Dr Stephen Mankupane, Acting Head of Hospital Services in the provincial health department, writes that there is no disputing the fact that there is a need to act with urgency in attending to these backlogs and outlines what the department is doing. Here is his response in full.

RIGHT OF REPLY: Reducing the surgical and cancer treatment backlogs is an urgent priority

OPINION: Worrying lack of urgency as Gauteng Health sits on money earmarked to outsource urgent cancer treatment

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

It is almost three months since – partly through the efforts of SECTION27 and Cancer Alliance – money was made available to the Gauteng Health Department to outsource radiation oncology services and address surgical backlogs in the province. It is deeply worrying that despite being provided with resources for this outsourcing project, very little has been done to date to ensure that patients get the long overdue care that they need, writes Khanyisa Mapipa.

OPINION: Worrying lack of urgency as Gauteng Health sits on money earmarked to outsource urgent cancer treatment

In-depth: Ongoing security concerns at Gauteng hospitals amid reports of cable theft

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Already bogged down by loadshedding, operations at various health facilities in Gauteng and a few other provinces have also been disrupted due to cable theft, creating another layer of risk for patients and healthcare workers. This is despite millions being paid for security at these health facilities. Thabo Molelekwa reports.

In-depth: Ongoing security concerns at Gauteng hospitals amid reports of cable theft

Opinion: Patients to benefit from new funding and decision to let private sector help with Gauteng’s oncology backlog

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

On 8 March 2023, the Gauteng MEC for Finance delivered his budget speech in which he indicated that an amount of R784 million has been set aside for the provincial health department to “address backlogs in surgical and radiation oncology services” in Gauteng. Khanyisa Mapipa and Salomé Meyer reflect on the work done to get to this point.

Opinion: Patients to benefit from new funding and decision to let private sector help with Gauteng’s oncology backlog

Mixed reactions to health department’s plans to mitigate loadshedding

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Health minister Dr Joe Phaahla last week announced several measures to mitigate the impact of loadshedding on healthcare services – a move that was met with mixed responses. Some have welcomed the move, while others argue it is long overdue. Thabo Molelekwa reports.

Mixed reactions to health department’s plans to mitigate loadshedding

Opinion: Gauteng health in flames – making it through the fires and fumbles of SA’s richest province

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Gauteng is a province of immense potential and tragic recent history. It is a province that has allowed politics to overwhelm the interests of patients, argues Sasha Stevenson in a talk delivered as part of a lecture series hosted by the Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics at Wits University.

Opinion: Gauteng health in flames – making it through the fires and fumbles of SA’s richest province

A year after the fire, little progress at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

Posted in: Gauteng, Latest, Provinces

One year after the fire at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg there’s damning evidence of missteps and delays in maintaining health and safety standards, sabotage and incompetence in managing the rebuild, and dire knock-on effects for the province’s healthcare system. Ufrieda Ho reports

A year after the fire, little progress at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

EpiPens: People in South Africa often can’t access this lifesaving allergy treatment

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest

Epinephrine auto-injectors, often known by the commercial name EpiPen, can be life-savers for people suffering severe allergic reactions, but the treatments are difficult to find in South Africa and expensive.