Gauteng Health: Has a damning Public Protector report had any impact?

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

After visiting several hospitals in Gauteng in 2020, the Public Protector found that the Gauteng health department has failed to ensure appropriate conditions for the enjoyment and delivery of healthcare services for Gauteng residents. Ahead of the Gauteng health budget vote speech this week, Thabo Molelekwa looked at what has changed after the Public Protector’s recommendations and asked health experts what it will take to improve public healthcare services in the province.

Gauteng Health: Has a damning Public Protector report had any impact?

Poor security and water shortages undermining healthcare in Mpumalanga

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Mpumalanga, Provinces

The Mpumalanga Department of Health is plagued by many challenges ranging from water shortages affecting some of its health facilities, poor medicine distribution, and a spate of assaults and robberies putting healthcare workers at risk. Nthusang Lefafa spoke to unions, opposition parties, and the department about these ongoing challenges and plans to address them.

Poor security and water shortages undermining healthcare in Mpumalanga

Editorial: Dysfunctional provincial health departments make a mockery of the ‘capable state’

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

One of the great paradoxes in healthcare in South Africa is that, while we have impressive healthcare expertise in the country, most of our provincial health departments are poorly managed. Spotlight editor Marcus Low considers what this means for efforts to build state capacity in general, and for healthcare in particular.

Editorial: Dysfunctional provincial health departments make a mockery of the ‘capable state’

Eastern Cape health department continues to use mud clinics

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Despite Eastern Cape Health authorities acknowledging that the continued use of mud clinics is a concern, rural residents still have to make do with these dilapidated clinics. Luvuyo Mehlwana visited some of these mud clinics to speak to some residents and asked the provincial health department about their plans to address this.

Eastern Cape health department continues to use mud clinics

OPINION: Reflections on a budget of ‘unmet expectations’

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, NHI

Budgets alone do not solve structural issues, but what it does is provide some insight into the government’s plans for addressing its broader developmental priorities. Russel Rensburg unpacks what the medium-term budget policy statement means for the health sector.

OPINION: Reflections on a budget of ‘unmet expectations’

In Focus: Water shortages in parts of Free State affecting health services

Posted in: Free State, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Qwaqwa, situated in the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality is close to the Sterkfontein Dam, which is one of the four biggest dams in the country. Yet, hospitals and clinics in and around Qwaqwa have for years struggled with dirty water, dry taps, and constant water interruptions. Refilwe Mochoari reports.

In Focus: Water shortages in parts of Free State affecting health services

Staff shortages undermining quality of healthcare in Limpopo, report finds

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest, Limpopo, Provinces

Many clinics in Limpopo are operating without the required number of staff needed to deliver quality healthcare services, according to a report from Ritshidze, a community healthcare monitoring project. Activists say these staff shortages contribute to long waiting times for patients and overworked staff – which can ultimately undermine the province’s HIV programme.