Department of health Archives - Page 2 of 2

PPE tender saga is biggest financial scandal in Gauteng since 2014: Makhura

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the R125 million tender for the COVID-19 personal protective equipment is the biggest financial scandal his government has faced since he became Premier in 2014. Makhura has placed Health MEC Bandile Masuku on a leave of absence over his alleged involvement in the controversial tender to supply personal protective equipment to the department during the coronavirus pandemic. The tender was awarded to Royal Bhaca, a […]

31 July 2020

News

350% increase in trauma patients during alcohol unbanning

The Western Cape Department of Health has welcomed the reinstatement of the ban on alcohol sales, given the recent rise in alcohol-related traumas being reported at hospitals across the province. It comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the reimplementation of the ban in order to alleviate strain on the healthcare system, which has seen an influx of trauma cases. Speaking to VOC’s Breakfast Beat on Wednesday, the departments’ head of […]

15 July 2020

Local

Covid-19 deaths now on 1 210 as cases hit over 55 000

The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in South Africa has risen to over 55 000 on Wednesday with a further 2 430 cases reported in the last 24 hours. According to a statement by Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, the total number of confirmed cases of the virus, as of 10 June, is 55 421. The country has also edged even closer to the one million mark for tests […]

11 June 2020

Local

WCape to use high-flow nasal oxygen as early signs show improved treatment

Western Cape doctors are feeling hopeful about the early results of using nasal oxygen instead of ventilators to treat serious Covid-19 cases at public hospitals. As a result, the provincial Department of Health will now be rolling out high-flow nasal infrastructure, it was revealed during a digital press conference on Thursday. Head of department Keith Cloete said at Tygerberg Hospital, the team had decided to test the measure on seven […]

5 June 2020

Local

Government to use cellphone towers to track all Covid-19 contacts

The government will use cellphone towers to trace people who have been in contact with those who tested positive for Covid-19. Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said this was to assist the Department of Health in tracing people who came into contact with those who tested positive for the virus. She added the department had sought permission from cellphone network operators to access the geo-location of people who had tested positive. […]

3 April 2020

Local

SA does not have enough hospital beds: analyst

South Africa appears to be woefully underprepared for a serious escalation in Covid-19 cases, with roughly 3 000 out of about 7 000 critical care beds available between the public and private healthcare sectors, according to best estimates. On Thursday, News24 reported approximate projections used by the government indicated 80% of Covid-19 infections would be mild, while 15 to 20% might require hospital admissions. About 5% would require critical care. […]

20 March 2020

Local

WC Community Safety MEC calls for amendment of liquor legislation

Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, is calling for the liquor legislation to be amended. This follows the killing of four people on Wednesday night during a shooting incident at a tavern in Khayelitsha. The victims, aged between 24 and 34 years old, were allegedly ambushed by six unknown suspects. The men died on the scene. Fritz's spokesperson, Cayla Ann Murray says they are calling on the police […]

24 January 2020

Local

SA drops price of ARVs‚ saves R11bn in six years

South Africa is introducing a new single-pill antiretroviral‚ which will save the country about R11-billion over the next six years. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said in a statement on Friday that the large volumes of ARVs bought by South Africa and its commitment to provide treatment to people with HIV were used to leverage a decrease in the price. The agreement‚ negotiated with international organisations and agencies‚ meant the […]

23 September 2017

Local

Looming crisis for SA healthcare as specialists face 30% pay cut

A new overtime policy introduced by the national Department of Health could see some doctors in the public sector facing a pay cut as high as 30% in January. Several KwaZulu-Natal doctors speaking to News24 on condition of anonymity have warned of a mass exodus of specialists from the public sector to the private sector if the policy is implemented. The doctors, most of whom are specialists, raised concerns after […]

9 December 2016

Department of health

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