What they say: Community perspectives on health services in the Eastern Cape

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

After making damning findings on the conditions of some Eastern Cape Hospitals, the Deputy Public Protector recommended several changes the provincial health department had to implement within 60 days. The report was published on 30 June this year. Halfway through the 60 days, people still have mixed feelings about their hospital visits and the provincial health department has little to say about what they’ve done to implement the recommended changes.

What they say: Community perspectives on health services in the Eastern Cape

IN-FOCUS: How to protect hospitalised infants from dangerous germs

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Outbreaks of hospital-acquired infections such as Klebsiella have claimed the lives of infants and made headlines on a number of occasions over the last decade. Tiyese Jeranji looks at how the germs involved spread, how common these infections are, and what can be done to prevent outbreaks.

IN-FOCUS: How to protect hospitalised infants from dangerous germs

COVID-19: Gauteng hospitals under strain as third wave continues

Posted in: Gauteng, Latest, Provinces

As the third wave of COVID-19 infections continues in Gauteng, hospitals remain under severe strain due to staff and equipment shortages. Add to this the ongoing unrest in certain areas in Gauteng, and it makes for a very grim picture. Thabo Molelekwa reports on the situation in East Rand hospitals.

COVID-19: Gauteng hospitals under strain as third wave continues

OPINION: Without contraception, Limpopo women’s rights are being violated

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Latest, SRHR

The ongoing stockouts of contraceptives grossly violate individuals’ and couples’ reproductive rights but alternative measures have not been put in place. If the issues of access to contraceptives are not dealt with, the country will face a baby boom and a rise in HIV infections at the end of the current pandemic writes Thuthukile Mbatha and Annah Maluleke.

OPINION: Without contraception, Limpopo women’s rights are being violated

In-depth: What South Africa’s power cuts mean for health facilities

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Every now and again people in South Africa have to endure a few weeks of mostly scheduled power cuts. Because power cuts can be deadly in hospitals, most facilities have backup systems in place. Tiyese Jeranji investigates how it all works and what safeguards are in place to prevent the lights from going out while you are on the theatre table.

In-depth: What South Africa’s power cuts mean for health facilities

Confusion over healthcare worker contracts in the Eastern Cape

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

Thousands of healthcare contract workers in the Eastern Cape Department of Health face an uncertain future over the continued extension of their contracts. This follows two conflicting decisions on ending contracts of workers roped in February last year to help in the fight against COVID-19 in the province. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports.

Confusion over healthcare worker contracts in the Eastern Cape

COVID-19: “When will it end? I wish it would happen tomorrow” – Gauteng GP

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

For Dr Yakub Essack, a GP in Gauteng, the long workdays have become even longer as GPs become a vital pillar for managing COVID-19 patients in their homes for as long as possible to free up hospital beds during Gauteng’s third wave. Ufrieda Ho reports.

COVID-19: “When will it end? I wish it would happen tomorrow” – Gauteng GP

Opinion: Amidst the pandemic, health facility quality ratings give a false sense of security.

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Health facility assessments are crucial to ensure patients’ needs for care are met, but often these assessments become a box-ticking exercise the country can ill afford, writes René Sparks.

Opinion: Amidst the pandemic, health facility quality ratings give a false sense of security.

COVID-19: Free State in third wave with old problems, health workers say

Posted in: COVID-19, Free State, Latest, Provinces

By 16 June, the National Department of Health’s statistics showed the Free State has recorded 108 515 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4 612 deaths with 94 761 recoveries. Now, with the province caught in a third wave, healthcare workers say they still stuck with old problems from the previous two waves.

COVID-19: Free State in third wave with old problems, health workers say

Bullying in healthcare: What is behind the worrying numbers?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

Around 58% of staff at a local university’s health science faculty, including those jointly working in public hospitals, report having been bullied more than once. Elna Schütz spoke to medical practitioners and experts about the prevalence and impact of bullying, and other toxic workplace conditions on health workers’ mental health and patient care.

Bullying in healthcare: What is behind the worrying numbers?

What is behind Gauteng’s shocking serious adverse event numbers?

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Provinces

Rates of Serious Adverse Events that result in unintended harm to patients are disturbingly high in Gauteng public hospitals. Thabo Molelekwa spoke to health activists and government to see what is at the root of these risks to patient safety and what is done to curb it.

What is behind Gauteng’s shocking serious adverse event numbers?

Employing more nurses can reduce total health costs, study suggests

Posted in: Latest

A recent study published in The Lancet medical journal suggests that employing more nurses can result in cost savings double the cost of employing the additional nurses. The study was conducted in Australia but may well have important implications for nursing in South Africa. Tiyese Jeranji reports.