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?

Frustration and confusion following North West hospital closure

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, North West, Provinces

The sudden closure of Thusong District Hospital in the North West has left healthcare workers and patients confused and frustrated with some patients still turning up at the hospital gates, not knowing where to go for medication and other healthcare services. Nthusang Lefafa reports.

Frustration and confusion following North West hospital closure

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

Staff shortages and long waiting times plague KZN health, report finds

Posted in: Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, NHI, Provinces

While KwaZulu-Natal is doing comparatively well on key HIV indicators, the public healthcare system in the province is plagued by staff shortages, long waiting times, poor tuberculosis infection control, and in some cases, dysfunctional filing systems. This is according to a new report from community-led monitoring group Ritshidze. Elri Voigt reports.

Staff shortages and long waiting times plague KZN health, report finds

In-depth: Dirty laundry at Eastern Cape hospitals and the plan to deal with it

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

Some staff members at Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape say old laundry machines and staff shortages are creating backlogs in getting clean linen, towels, and hospital gowns to patients. Patients, in turn, say they have to sleep on bare and soiled mattresses often with no bedding or dirty linen. Luvuyo Mehlwana reports on the situation, its implications for infection control, and the province’s plans to deal with it.

In-depth: Dirty laundry at Eastern Cape hospitals and the plan to deal with it

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.

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.