Latest News & Developments
The KwaZulu-Natal health department is facing a severe budget crisis, leading to significant service cuts and the suspension of key programmes. With funding needs exceeding R60 billion and only R58 billion available, urgent intervention is required to avert a looming calamity.
The department confirmed that contingency measures were promptly activated to ensure uninterrupted delivery of emergency services to the community during the unit’s closure.
An eight-year-old boy from Soweto remains in critical condition in ICU after consuming snacks from a local spaza shop.
The DA warns that without immediate action from Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to fill thousands of vacant health worker posts, South Africa faces a looming public health disaster.
An eight-year-old girl from Ramosadi village in North West has died after allegedly consuming snacks purchased from a local house, while authorities launch a new R500 million fund to support compliant spaza shop owners amidst concerns over food safety and illegal operations.
Denosa has condemned Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's announcement to recruit only 200 nurses as 'shockingly inadequate' amid a national nursing shortage crisis where projections indicate South Africa could be short 100,000 nurses by 2030.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that the department would be hiring 1,200 doctors, 200 nurses, and an additional 250 healthcare workers in other various professions.
On World Health Day 2024, South Africa faces a critical challenge: reducing maternal mortality from 109. 6 to 70 deaths per 100,000 births by 2030. The Department of Health and WHO are highlighting innovative programmes like MomConnect, which has already supported 5 million mothers, while calling for urgent action to address remaining gaps in maternal and newborn care. Despite progress, one preventable death occurs every seven seconds globally.
The Gauteng Department of Health announced it would appeal a recent Johannesburg High Court judgment in favour of the Cancer Alliance over radiation oncology services.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision, finding the Eastern Cape Health Department responsible for a child's cerebral palsy due to 'substandard monitoring' during birth. The court highlighted critical failures by medical staff who failed to properly monitor the baby with a cord wrapped three times around its neck.
Budget reallocations in South Africa raise alarm bells for cancer patients as funds shift away from critical healthcare services. With only a fraction of necessary stem cell transplants being performed, thousands face dire consequences. What does this mean for the future of cancer care?
Cancer Alliance is exploring legal responses after Gauteng Health appealed a High Court ruling that declared the department's failure to provide radiation treatment to 3 000+ cancer patients unconstitutional, despite having R784 million specifically allocated for this purpose since 2023.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision, finding the Eastern Cape Health Department responsible for a child's cerebral palsy due to 'substandard monitoring' during birth. The court highlighted critical failures by medical staff who failed to properly monitor the baby with a cord wrapped three times around its neck.
Cancer Alliance is exploring legal responses after Gauteng Health appealed a High Court ruling that declared the department's failure to provide radiation treatment to 3 000+ cancer patients unconstitutional, despite having R784 million specifically allocated for this purpose since 2023.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and the Democratic Alliance are calling for a forensic audit of community health workers in KwaZulu-Natal to eliminate ghost employees draining public funds.
In a major breakthrough addressing South Africa's mortuary crisis, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane announces a 61% reduction in unclaimed bodies - from 1 600 to 620 - following coordinated efforts between health officials and SAPS, offering a potential model for other provinces struggling with similar backlogs.
A two-year-old's death after being refused treatment at a Limpopo clinic raises urgent concerns over healthcare protocols, while a separate incident involving a nurse's inappropriate social media conduct underscores the fight against child abuse in South Africa.
During a recent oversight visit, the parliamentary portfolio committee on health uncovered significant challenges at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, including equipment issues and water supply problems.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has made South African medical history with its new R26 million children's burns unit — only the second in the country after Cape Town's Red Cross Children's Hospital. Funded by Surgeons for Little Lives in partnership with the Wells Foundation, this state-of-the-art facility features expanded ICU capacity and specialised treatment areas, transforming burn care for South Africa's youngest patients.
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto has made history by opening South Africa's second dedicated children's burns unit. Thanks to a R26 million donation from Surgeons for Little Lives and collaboration with the Wells Foundation, this state-of-the-art facility now features increased ICU capacity and improved treatment facilities, transforming care for young burn victims across the region
Investigations into the fire that killed a patient at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in February are ongoing.
The Western Cape Government has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to lift the ban on cannabis and hemp-derived foodstuffs, marking a significant step towards regulatory reform in South Africa's agricultural sector.
KwaZulu-Natal hopes to benefit from hosting the G20 Health Working Group, with discussions focusing on healthcare partnerships, investment opportunities, and addressing local health challenges.
Western Cape Government welcomes the lifting of the cannabis edibles ban, promoting public consultation and economic growth opportunities.
The patient, who couldn't get out of bed, defecated on the floor while the nurse had gone to fetch the bedpan.