Analysis: What does a security guard strike reveal about the Eastern Cape Department of Health?

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

Security guards at healthcare facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay went on strike in January when their salaries had not been paid. During the strike, healthcare workers had to close some clinics as they feared for their safety, and patients were left stranded. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports on what happened and asked the health authorities what plans are in place to prevent similar incidents amid persistent budget constraints.

Analysis: What does a security guard strike reveal about the Eastern Cape Department of Health?

Ten months later government hits reset button on Charlotte Maxeke Hospital repairs

Posted in: Gauteng, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

After almost a year, the Gauteng Health Department yesterday announced a strategic reset for repairs at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital after a fire ravaged parts of the hospital in April last year. The announcement comes ahead of Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s State of the Province Address on Monday but still does not provide immediate relief to patients and hospitals buckling as a result of delays. Ufrieda Ho reports.

Ten months later government hits reset button on Charlotte Maxeke Hospital repairs

In-depth: Surgery catch-up hamstrung by shortage of ICU nurses

Posted in: Spotlight

Hospitals in South Africa have been put under immense strain over the past two years as beds were filled with COVID-19 patients and elective surgeries had to be put on hold. To make things worse, pre-existing shortages of intensive care trained nurses and other critical staff were exacerbated by healthcare workers themselves contracting SARS-CoV-2 and falling ill or having to isolate themselves. Tiyese Jeranji explores how Gauteng and the Western Cape are catching up on elective surgeries and asks what is being done about the underlying problem of staff shortages.

In-depth: Surgery catch-up hamstrung by shortage of ICU nurses

In-depth: Top 10 health issues to watch in 2022

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

COVID-19 will continue to dominate headlines in 2022, but from National Health Insurance to the availability of a new HIV prevention injection, it will also be an important year for other areas of health service delivery and for health system governance and reforms. Here is Spotlight’s pick of the top ten issues to keep an eye on.

In-depth: Top 10 health issues to watch in 2022

Questions over implementation of SA’s new infection control plan

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces

Whether it is in the queue outside a community healthcare clinic, in a GP’s waiting room, or in the ICU at a private sector hospital, infections acquired at healthcare facilities pose a threat to people’s health. Nthusang Lefafa looks at government’s recently relaunched infection prevention and control plans and some obstacles to its implementation.

Questions over implementation of SA’s new infection control plan

Modest improvement at dysfunctional Gauteng clinics, report finds

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

Although a new community healthcare monitoring report notes some improvement in filling vacancies at Gauteng clinics, concerns remain over staff shortages and the impact this has on providing quality care, especially to people living with HIV. Thabo Molelekwa reports.

Modest improvement at dysfunctional Gauteng clinics, report finds

In Focus: Unpacking the link between HIV and mental health

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Studies show that people living with HIV are often at a higher risk for depression and anxiety, including a higher risk of suicide. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to mental health practitioners, activists, and people living with HIV to unpack the link between HIV and mental health.

In Focus: Unpacking the link between HIV and mental health

Ageing nurses: A crisis on the horizon

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Nurses make up a large part of the healthcare workforce in South Africa, but almost half of them are set to retire in the next 15 years. This suggests existing shortages of nurses will become even greater unless we take concrete steps to boost nurse training and retention. Elna Schütz reports.

Medical intern burnout worsened by COVID-19

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic many medical interns in South Africa had a tough time, often working long hours and with little oversight or support. Chris Bateman spoke to interns and junior doctors in public hospitals and tag-on COVID-19 facilities, who are performing tasks of porters, auxiliary nurses, and liaising with anxious relatives, instead of getting the required hands-on, supervised learning.

Medical intern burnout worsened by COVID-19

Transport issues putting brakes on vaccination efforts in rural Free State

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

In the Free State as a whole, roughly 16 COVID-19 jabs have been administered for every 100 people. In the province’s rural districts, the number is closer to one for every 100. Refilwe Mochoari spoke to a nursing union, some organisations on the ground, and the Free State Department of Health to get the full picture.

Transport issues putting brakes on vaccination efforts in rural Free State

Spotlight on Women in Health

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest

In 1947 the first black woman qualified as a doctor in South Africa. Her name was Mary Malahlela-Xakana. It took the country about 60 years after its first black male doctor started practicing for Malahlela-Xakana to don her stethoscope and practice medicine. Much, but not enough has changed since then, writes Alicestine October.

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.