SAHealth News

05/01/2025

CLARIFICATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO ABOUT KGAPANE HOSPITAL OPD TOILET CONDITIONS

The Limpopo Department of Health wishes to address recent concerns stemming from a video circulating on social media that depicts the condition of the toilets in the Outpatient Department (OPD) at Kgapane Hospital. We appreciate the opportunity to clarify this matter and provide accurate information to the public.

First and foremost, we acknowledge that some buildings within the hospital are older and may exhibit signs of wear. However, it is essential to note that the male toilet shown in the video does not reflect the current state of our facilities. We have included a recent photograph of the toilet to illustrate the improvements made.

It appears that the video may have been edited to present a misleading narrative, particularly concerning the toilet in question. The issue reported on January 2, 2025, regarding a blockage was due to improper disposal of items such as sanitary pads and disposable nappies, and our maintenance team addressed this issue promptly on the same day.

While we recognize the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, we want to assure the public that our dedicated team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and accessibility in our facilities. The OPD is a crucial component of our hospital, and we continuously strive to provide a comfortable environment for all visitors.

We would also like to clarify a common misconception highlighted in the video: access to toilet facilities at Kgapane Hospital is entirely free for all visitors. There is no charge for using these essential services.

Additionally, we are aware of concerns regarding water availability in some toilet cisterns. Our department is actively collaborating with the water service authority to address illegal connections and perforations in the mainline, which have contributed to low water pressure and shortages at Kgapane Hospital.

In light of this situation, we encourage everyone to verify information before sharing it and to reach out to us directly with any concerns regarding our facilities. Your feedback is invaluable as we work towards providing the best possible care for our community.

31/10/2024

HEALTH COMMITTEE TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TO***CO BILL IN NORTHERN CAPE

Parliament, Thursday, 31 October 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Health will from Friday, 1 November 2024 to Sunday 3 November 2024, resume public hearings on the To***co Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022) in the Northern Cape.

The hearings are a continuation of the public hearings hosted by the 6th Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health. That committee could not reach Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, hence the current hearing in the provinces that were not reached previously.

“On Friday, 25 October 2024, the committee resolved to continue its public participation process following a legal advice from Parliamentary Legal Services. The legal opinion stated that while the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) has its own internal protocol for considering matters, the NEDLAC Act does not prescribe a specific process that must be followed. It also noted that NEDLAC is empowered to continue engaging on the Bill even after it has been introduced in Parliament. It is on this basis that the committee decided to continue with its public participation process,” said Dr Sibongiseni Dlhomo, the Chairperson of the committee.

The public hearings form part of Parliament’s constitutionally mandated public participation process to consult citizens in the law-making process. The committee reiterates its commitment to create a conducive platform for constructive inputs on the Bill, irrespective of the views held.

The Bill seeks to strengthen public health protection measures, align South African to***co control law with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention, and repeal the To***co Control Act, 1993 (Act No. 83 of 1993).

The proposed legislative and policy changes seek to introduce the following:
(a) indoor public places and certain outdoor areas will be designated 100 per cent smoke-free;
(b) a ban on the sale of ci******es through vending machines;
(c) plain packaging with graphic health warnings and pictorials;
(d) a ban on display at point of sale; and
(e) the regulation and control of electronic ni****ne delivery systems and non-ni****ne delivery systems.

“We encourage the people of the Northern Cape to come out in their numbers to make inputs on the Bill and engender meaningful public participation, which is the bedrock of South Africa’s democratic constitutionalism,” Dr Dlhomo emphasised.

The details of the public hearings in the Northern Cape are as follows:

DATE Venue TIME
Friday, 01 November 2024 Bantu Hall, Kimberley 10:00 – 15:00

Saturday, 02 November 2024 Wrenchville Community Hall in Kuruman 10:00 – 15:00
Sunday,03 November 2024 Moses Links Hall, Upington, 10:00 – 15:00

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DLHOMO

29/10/2024

23/10/2024

What is the root cause of migraines?

A migraine is much more than a bad headache. It can cause debilitating, throbbing, one-sided head pain that can leave you in bed for days. Movement, lights, sounds and other triggers may cause symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vision changes, irritability and more. A healthcare provider can help you manage symptoms so migraines don’t take over your life.

Migraines are likely caused by a nerve that inflames the dura, spreading pain and changing local blood flow. There may also be genetic causes of migraine. There are multiple triggers that may lead to a migraine attack.
A migraine is a severe headache that causes throbbing, pulsing head pain on one side of your head. The headache phase of a migraine usually lasts at least four hours, but it can also last for days. This headache gets worse with, Physical activity, Bright lights, Loud noises, Strong odors, Migraines are disruptive. They can interfere with your daily routine and affect your ability to meet personal and social obligations. Treatment is available to help you manage migraines.

The frequency of a migraine varies from person to person. You might have one migraine per year or one per week. On average, most people experience two to four per month. They’re most common in the morning. Most migraines are unpredictable, but sometimes, you can have an idea of when a migraine will happen, like before menstruation or after feeling stress.

Researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of migraines, but studies show genetics play a role.

When you have a headache, specific nerves in your blood vessels send pain signals to your brain. This releases inflammatory substances into your head’s nerves and blood vessels. It’s unclear why your nerves do that.

A trigger is something that causes symptoms to start. Some of the most common migraine triggers include:

Stress.
Hormonal changes.
Certain medications.
Changes to your sleep.
Weather condition changes.
Too much physical activity (overexertion).
Addictive substances like caffeine or to***co.
Missing a meal.
Exposure to bright lights, loud noises or strong odors.
Your healthcare provider can help you identify your triggers. They might recommend keeping a migraine journal to track similarities between migraine attacks.

22/10/2024

MEC DIEKETSENG MASHEGO IS OUTRAGED AT THE KILLING OF A NURSE OUTSIDE LEBOWAKGOMO HOSPITAL

Limpopo MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego has expressed outrage and sadness at the tragic shooting of a female nurse this evening, a few meters outside the gate of Lebowakgomo Hospital. It is alleged that the nurse had just disembarked from a taxi on her way to work at the hospital when the perpetrator accosted her, shooting and killing her on impact.

MEC Mashego has described this incident as saddening. “As a community, we must stand firm against violence, especially towards those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Nurses are essential to our healthcare system, working tirelessly to serve the needs of patients and their families. The loss of this dedicated professional is not just a tragedy for her family, but a loss for our entire healthcare community,” MEC Mashego said.

The MEC has also on behalf of the entire Department of Health in Limpopo sent condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the victim. “My thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate this devastating loss. I have no doubt that law enforcement will prioritize this investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice swiftly. We must ensure the safety of all healthcare workers in our province.”

13/10/2024

Heatwave

09/10/2024

MEC LAUNCHES WEEK LONG CATARACT REMOVAL OPERATION- UP TO 200 CATARACTS TO BE REMOVE

The MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego will launch a week long cataract removal operation in Mankweng Hospital. This is done as part of promoting eye health awareness and addressing the pressing issue of cataract-related vision impairment in communities. The launch will take place as follows:

DATE: 10 October 2024
VENUE: Mankweng Hospital
TIME: 8H00

05/10/2024

Dr Aron Motswaledi Defend NHI-

05/10/2024

LIMPOPO PROVINCE ON HIV

03/10/2024

The pros and cons of the National Health Insurance Bill.

What is the NHI Bill and how will NHI benefit South Africans? The NHI fund will cover South Africans of all races, rich or poor and legal long-term residents. There will be one pool of healthcare funding for private and public healthcare providers alike.
South Africa’s health system is very complicated and
fragmented, resulting in high levels of waste. Consequently, health outcomes do not match the resources invested into the system. Both public and private sector have challenges that make current healthcare delivery systems unsustainable.

Disadvantages. Disadvantages of the system include: A blow to autonomy, as all South Africans will be forced to make use of NHI, regardless of whether they want to. The healthy paying for the sick and increased burdens on taxpayers.

South Africa's Constitution guarantees that everyone has access to healthcare services. This includes citizens, expats, refugees, and asylum seekers. Citizens can use both public and private healthcare. Public services are funded by the government while private care is accessible through insurance and direct payments.

Instead, the NHI will work alongside existing medical aid schemes to ensure that all South Africans have access to quality healthcare services. If you have medical aid coverage, you can rest assured that your coverage will not be cancelled once the NHI is fully implemented.

Patients who do not fall into these categories, including foreign tourists, must pay the full-paying UPFS fee. The Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS) is the tariff which sets out the fees which full-paying patients are charged at government hospitals in the Western Cape.

Investigations regarding the affordability of the National Health Insurance (NHI) reveal that each formally employed South African would be required to contribute R1,500 per month via a payroll tax to fulfill the Department of Health's funding projections.20 Feb 2024

The plan to strengthen the health system: South Africa is a member of the United Nations community and has committed to implement universal health coverage, as have all other 95 member states. The desired outcome is that “all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship”.

03/10/2024

LIMPOPO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLARIFIES MISREPRESENTATION MADE THROUGH PUBLIC STATEMENTS REGARDING AN ALLEGED INCIDENT PURPOTED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT BELA BELA HOSPITAL.
The Limpopo Department of Health wishes to address and clarify the recent public statements, which inaccurately insinuate that a patient at Bela Bela Hospital was assaulted by security personnel, leading to his subsequent death. We firmly believe that these claims are either the result of a grave misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, potentially in collaboration with a local business forum seeking to disrupt hospital operations for personal gain. In order to provide clarity, we present the following chronology of events:
1. On Friday, September 27, 2024, a known homeless man living on the streets of Bela Bela Town was admitted to Bela Bela Hospital for medical conditions unrelated to assault.
2. After being properly bathed the following day, the medical staff at the hospital noticed what looked like bruises on the patients face and body. When questioned about these injuries, he informed medical staff that he had been assaulted on the street on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
3. On Sunday, September 29, 2024, the patient requested to be discharged. He was discharged and left the hospital on foot, under his own will.
4. It is important to note that at no point did the patient or his family file any complaint regarding an assault by hospital security personnel.
5. On Monday, September 30, 2024, a local business forum approached hospital management, demanding the removal of the current security company in favor of a local alternative. When queried about their claims, the forum alleged that the security guards had assaulted the patient, leading to his death.
6. Hospital management inquired whether a police report had been filed concerning the alleged assault, to which the group responded that they were uninterested in pursuing a formal complaint, focusing instead on their demand for a change in security service provider.
7. To date, there is no evidence to support claims of an assault by hospital security. The department’s preliminary enquiry has revealed that the patient arrived at the hospital with pre-existing injuries.
8. The patient left the hospital voluntarily and, if he subsequently passed away, it occurred outside the hospital's premises. The exact cause of death remains unknown and as such it will be opportunistic to attempt to connect to any events that transpired at the hospital.
9. In light of the patient’s death occurring at one of the homes in the nearby township, the police have opened an inquest case. The Limpopo Department of Health will fully cooperate with the police during their investigation because they will shed more light on this death instead of speculations.
Consequently, the department finds it deeply troubling and opportunistic that certain formations would exploit this tragic event to pursue their own commercial and political objectives. Such actions show a lack of sensitivity and respect for the deceased and his family.
The Limpopo Department of Health extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and urges all parties to refrain from using this unfortunate incident to further their own agendas.

03/10/2024

NHI STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

22/09/2024

Heath Is Wealth

30/08/2024

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02/07/2024

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28/06/2024

REDUCE THE RISK OF GETTING MPOX