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03 June 2022 - NW1799

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

With reference to claims of medical negligence and/or injuries, what (a) total number of newborns have (i) died and/or (ii) been left physically and/or mentally disabled due to diagnostic errors, surgical errors or any other reasons in (aa) public and (bb) private facilities in each of the past three financial years and (b) are the full relevant details for each province?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information can only be made available by sourcing it from all provinces, it is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH). In this regard, the NDOH is busy soliciting this information from all the provinces of the country, to enable the Minister of Health to respond to the question.

The Minister will provide the full response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all the provinces.

END.

03 June 2022 - NW1911

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, when allocating graduate health professionals to perform their required community service internships, health professionals are provided with an allowance and/or stipend for relocation if they are placed outside of their ordinary residence; if not, why not; if so, (a) which sectors in the profession are eligible for allowance and/or stipend for relocation and (b) what is the total amount of the subsidy?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information can only be made available by sourcing it from all provinces, it is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH). In this regard, the NDOH is busy soliciting this information from all the provinces of the country, to enable the Minister of Health to respond to the question.

The Minister will provide the full response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all the provinces.

END.

03 June 2022 - NW1858

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)(a) What (i) number of positions are currently vacant at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and (ii) is the level of each vacant post and (b) by what date is it envisaged that each post will be filled; (2) what is the total number of community service (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) interns who are currently employed at the specified hospital; (3) whether the community service doctors, nurses and interns have been paid on time since their employment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what number of specialised (a) medical doctors and (b) nurses does the hospital currently have as compared to the amount of specialised health care professionals that the hospital needs to provide effective service delivery to its patients?

Reply:

According to the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health, the situation is as follows:

(1) (a) (i) 935 vacant posts as of 31 April 2022

(ii) Salary levels of the posts:

Management

 Number

 

Nursing

Number 

Level 12

4

 

Level 4

81

Level 13

1

 

Level 5

80

Level 14

2

 

Level 6

40

Admin

 

 

Level 7

82

Level 5

122

 

Level 9

103

Level 7

20

 

Level 10

17

Level 9

9

 

Level 12

1

Level 11

3

 

Medical

Number 

Allied

Number 

 

Level 11

39

Level 7

1

 

Level 12

82

Level 8

9

 

Support

Number 

Level 9

4

 

Level 2

177

Level 10

5

 

Level 3

34

Level 11

3

 

Level 4

9

Level 12

1

 

Level 5

20

Allied Support

Number  

 

Level 7

4

Level 4

4

 

 

 

Level 5

7

 

 

 

Level 6

3

   

 

Out of the 935 vacant posts, 302 are funded and are in the process of being filled

(2) (a) Doctors: 12

(b) Nurses: 40

(c) Medical Interns: 300

(3) The response is as follows:

  • All Community Doctors have been paid on time
  • 12 of the Medical interns were not paid on time as a result of late funding and creation of posts
  • 16 Nurses were timeously paid as the Hospital had enough posts to accommodate them. The other 24 Nurses’ posts were only created on the 2nd week of May 2022. The affected Nurses will be paid as soon as their transactions are processed on the Personnel and Salary (PERSAL) system.

(4) The response is as follows:

(a) Medical Specialist: 279

b) Professional Nurses: 474

The ideal staff compliment can only be determined once Provincial staffing norms are adopted and work studies completed.

END.

03 June 2022 - NW1857

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) total number of teenage abortions and/or terminations of teenage pregnancy have been performed at each public healthcare facility in each province (i) in the (aa) 2019-20 and (bb) 2021-22 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2022 and (b) is the breakdown in terms of age; (2) what number of the abortions were performed as a result of (a) sexual assault and/or rape and (b) any other specified reasons?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information can only be made available by sourcing it from all provinces, it is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH). In this regard, the NDOH is busy soliciting this information from all the provinces of the country, to enable the Minister of Health to respond to the question.

The Minister will provide the full response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all the provinces.

END.

03 June 2022 - NW1856

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the expenditure on security for each hospital in each province; (2) whether all health care facilities and/or hospitals have cameras erected on their premises; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether the cameras are in working order; if not, for how long have the cameras been out of order?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information can only be made available by sourcing it from all provinces, it is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH). In this regard, the NDOH is busy soliciting this information from all the provinces of the country, to enable the Minister of Health to respond to the question.

The Minister will provide the full response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all the provinces.

END.

03 June 2022 - NW1855

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

With reference to health standards that must be at a minimum standard of 80%, what is the standard of health (a) in each province and (b) in each hospital in each province?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information can only be made available by sourcing it from all provinces, it is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH). In this regard, the NDOH is busy soliciting this information from all the provinces of the country, to enable the Minister of Health to respond to the question.

The Minister will provide the full response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all the provinces.

END.

03 June 2022 - NW1854

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the status of financial mismanagement within his department in terms of each province in the past three financial years; (2) (a) what is the total amount of funds that have been found to be mismanaged in respect of each province in the specified period and (b) what are details of (i) each supplier whose contracts were involved in each financial mismanagement case and (ii) the service that each supplier was contracted to provide in each case?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information can only be made available by sourcing it from all provinces, it is not readily available at the National Department of Health (NDOH). In this regard, the NDOH is busy soliciting this information from all the provinces of the country, to enable the Minister of Health to respond to the question.

The Minister will provide the full response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all the provinces.

END.

20 May 2022 - NW1765

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)(a) What number of doctors have not been paid by his department of health in each province, (b) for what period have they not been paid and (c) in what province has this occurred; (2) whether doctors have been paid overtime; if not, (a) in what provinces are overtime payments outstanding and (b) for how long have overtime payments been outstanding; if so, in what provinces doctors have been paid overtime?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this information is not readily available at the National Department of Health but is with the provinces. The National Department of Health is therefore consulting with all the Provincial Departments of Health to source the full details on this matter. The Minister will provide the Honourable Member and Parliament with the response as soon as the details have been received from the Provinces.

END.

20 May 2022 - NW1741

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What total number of persons have died due to suicide in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021 (i) in total and (ii) broken down in terms of (aa) gender and (bb) age; (2) what plans, programmes and/or awareness training has his department put in place to address the issue of suicide and mental health?

Reply:

1. According to the time periods stated by the question, the information is currently not available because it being handled by various bodies such as those that are responsible for population register and as such the department does not keep this information. Stats-SA which is the health entity supporting us in this area of work, has the report on the official statistics as regards to intentional self-harm (suicide) by gender and age up to 2018. This means that the report for 2019,2020 and 2021 is not yet available.

2. The Department is implementing a number of interventions in collaboration with other stakeholders to address factors that increase the risks for suicide including prevention, education and early intervention. Among others these include:

  • The Department has established a training programme for professional nurses and medical doctors on clinical mental health since 2018/19 to enhance early detection, diagnosis, treatment, referral and rehabilitation of mental disorders at Primary Health Care.
  • Screening for mental health has been included as part of health care package of services at primary health care to bolster early identification and intervention services
  • The Department is continually educating the public on mental health issues using various platforms with special emphasis in July on mental illness and October on mental health, on annual basis to increase public awareness on mental health issues that can contribute to suicide as well as where the public can access mental health services.
  • Mental health has been integrated into Integrated School Health Programmes to ensure early identification through screening and referral of learners that need further assessment and management.
  • Mental health is being included in the package of services that are rendered by Community Health Care Workers to ensure integration of education, early identification and referral at community level
  • The Department is funding the South African Federation for Mental Health to provide mental health advocacy and health promotion interventions. Since COVID-19 the organisation has utilised the funding to run a mental health information and support desk to strengthen access to information on mental health including how and where to access mental health services
  • The Department if working closely with the Higher Education and Training sector through providing support to Higher Health organisation to strengthen mental health interventions among students in higher education institutions.

END.

20 May 2022 - NW1718

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) is the extent of the damage assessed by his department caused by the break-ins at Opkoms Clinic in Mangaung in the past few months and (b) are the reasons that his department has placed no security at the specified clinic despite the numerous break-ins?

Reply:

Honourable Member, the National Department of Health is consulting with the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health to source the full details of this matter. The Minister will provide the Honourable Member and Parliament with the response as soon as the details have been received from the Province.

END.

19 May 2022 - NW1766

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) is the reason that the repair of the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital has been shifted to his department, (b) is the expected additional budget to ensure that the repairs are done speedily and (c) would the time frame be for the repair to ensure that the hospital opens within the time frame that is indicated?

Reply:

a) Due to a slow progress, both the Minister and Premier have agreed to transfer the project to the National Department of Health.

b) There is no additional budget. The estimated budget is R1 billion. The project will be completed within budget.

c) End of November 2023.

END.

19 May 2022 - NW1767

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether any audit has been done of the COVID-19 deaths in each province; if not, why not; if so, what was the outcome of the audit for each province; (2) whether the specified outcomes aligned and/or are congruous with the reported deaths on a daily basis by his department and that were communicated to the public at large; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

a) The department reports the reported deaths of every person that has been diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of death, whether the COVID-19 is the cause or incidental to a death from any other condition. There is no audit done on reported deaths in hospitals.

b) Deaths are reported by the attending clinicians at public and private facilities at the time of death, therefore on a daily basis, and the reports are captured into the national data base (DATCOV) as they are reported. A corpse may not be released to the undertakers without the death certificate. The deaths reported are available on a daily basis (https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/surveillance-reports/) and are reported in the national media daily. The department monitors which hospitals are reporting on DATCOV to ensure completeness of data.

END.

19 May 2022 - NW1709

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Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health

Taking into account the time that has lapsed since the Republic first administered COVID-19 vaccines, what has he found were the lessons learnt by his department about the safety and side-effects of the specified vaccines?

Reply:

Spontaneous reporting of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) increased significantly compared to pre-COVID-19 vaccine rollout. A total number of AEFIs reported between 17 May 2021 and 30 April 2022 (SAHPRA microsite) was 5893, this represent a reporting rate of 0.0172% of total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered for the same time period. The most frequently reported AEFIs were in line with the available product information. No safety concerns were raised based causality assessment outcomes conducted on severe and serious AEFI reported. Vaccine safety surveillance and monitoring trends of reported AEFI are vital measures to ensure that the benefits of immunisation are maintained in the interest of public health. Transparent communication with the public is important to maintain public confidence in vaccines and prevent all AEFI being misinterpreted as caused by the vaccine. The department in collaboration with SAHPRA, provide information on the process of AEFI reporting, investigation and causality assessment on the SAHPRA microsite. The AEFI reported should be investigated and causality assessed to maintain high levels of vaccine confidence in the immunisation programme.

END.

19 May 2022 - NW1682

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Following the National Health Laboratory Services’ insourcing of cleaners and security guards, by what date will (a) the remaining entities of his department follow suite and (b) his department insource cleaners and security guards at clinics and hospitals?

Reply:

a) Following the National Health Laboratory Services’ insourcing of cleaners and security guards, the remaining entities have advised as follows regarding insourcing of cleaners and security guards:

  • Council for Medical Schemes (CMS): The CMS insourced the cleaning personnel on 1 November 2016. The cleaning personnel enjoy employment benefits such as 100% subsidized medical aid, group life and disability cover as well as training opportunities. However, no decision has been taken on the insourcing of security personnel due to budgetary constraints.
  • South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA): the SAHPRA is currently making use of outsourced security and cleaning services with contracts expiring in 2024. Going forward an analysis to review the current structure of the services will be conducted before expiry of the current contracts to determine the possible insourcing of the services.
  • South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC): the SAMRC has evaluated in-sourcing and has been in discussion with labour. To this end, the in-sourcing of Patterson A and B staff has been included in the SAMRC. However, given the specialized nature of security, and the scope of business of research, the SAMRC cannot afford to develop this capacity to include security as in-sourced personnel since this requires in-depth situational analysis and specialized expertise of which the SAMRC does not have nor is able afford to acquire.
  • Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC): the OHSC has two (2) contracts; (1) Cleaning Services for three (3) years ending 28 February 2024; and (2) Security Services for three (3) years ending September 2023. The OHSC will, prior to the expiry of the contracts, conduct an assessment and accordingly take a decision with regard to the future of cleaning and security services.

(b) This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health, it is with the Provinces and in municipalities as these are managed there. We are sourcing this information from provinces and municipalities and submit the full response as soon as such information is received.

END.

13 May 2022 - NW1457

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With reference to the South Rand Hospital in (a) each of the past three financial years and (b) the current financial year, what was the (i) allocated budget and expenditure, (ii) average expenditure in each month for water, electricity, security and security services, food and catering services, maintenance and upgrades, cleaning services, medication, consumables and disposables and (iii)(aa) maximum bed capacity and (bb) average bed occupancy in each month; (2) what is the (a) staff complement currently in each department of the hospital and (b) total number of posts that are unfilled currently in each department?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is consulting with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to source the relevant details in this regard. The Gauteng Provincial Department has been requested to provide the Ministry with the required information to enable the Minister to provide the response to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will be submitted as soon as information has been obtained from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.

END.

13 May 2022 - NW1556

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

What are the reasons that the much talked about academic hospital has not yet been built in Limpopo despite many promises in the past two years that construction would have started by this time?

Reply:

The size and complexity of a project like Limpopo Central Hospital (LCH) requires a consolidated and concerted effort between various role players to eliminate risk and to keep the project on track, so that it can ultimately benefit the community and students it serves. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the envisaged consultative processes for the LCH could not be undertaken between the relevant stakeholders due to the lockdown, lack of access to engagements with design consultants and the various Departmental Stakeholders. The consultative processes were thus delayed in finalising Stage Gate 3.

The project is however, currently in Stage 4: Design Documentation. The National Department of Health (NDoH) requested a Gateway Review process in line with the Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (FIDPM) in December 2021 for this stage gate deliverables. The reviewal of Stage 4.1 was not a mandatory process but done to reduce the risk associated with the project during construction and eliminate any unforeseen costs. The objective of the review process was to ensure that the project delivers value for money, that any design related issues are appropriately addressed and that the overall project structure and governance is sound to take the project through construction. The Gateway review process have been concluded and the project is expected to go out on tender on approval of the Stage Gate 4 deliverables. The construction process is set to start in Q3 of this financial year.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1650

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the details of the outstanding utility bills of his department and (b) is the breakdown of the total amount according to each province?

Reply:

(a) All invoices for utility bills have been processed and paid, except for one invoice currently under dispute for Civitas building to the amount of R3,2 million for the period 01 October 2021 to 02 November 2021. The National Department of Health did not occupy the building during this period.

(b) We still await information from the provinces. This information will be submitted to Parliament as soon as it is received.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1681

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Following the public call for submissions to be made regarding the draft regulations relating to the surveillance and control of notifiable medical conditions, what (a) has been the general contribution of society and (b) is the total number of the specified submissions (i) opposing and/or (ii) endorsing the adoption of the specified draft regulations?

Reply:

a) The Department has received numerous responses from society to the published regulations.

b) The closing period for the submission of public comments has been extended by a further three months ending 5th August 2022. Consequently, the Department is not in position to furnish the numbers that are opposing or endorsing the adoption of the specified draft regulations.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1693

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Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Health

In view of lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, what (a) areas has his department identified as needing urgent intervention to improve the quality of public health in the Republic and (b) steps has he taken in order to implement the identified improvements?

Reply:

The department has identified the following as areas needing urgent intervention to improve the quality of public health in the Republic, which is as a result of the lessons learned from Covid-19. All key pillars which were captured in the first surge and subsequent resurgence plans, have been identified as in need of attention and they are:

a) Key are of lessons

b) Steps taken to implement the identified improvements

Leadership and governance

The provinces are working on various interventions such as the process of conducting mortality audits across the country. This will assist us to know what were the underlying causes of high rate of deaths of many people during Covid-19

The department is also working on the improvement in the management of PHC services, through various interventions which will include the collaboration with school of government and other training institutions.

The department is working with the provinces to integrate the Covid-19 management into the health systems management.

Infrastructure

The department is working on the capacity building programme for human resource capacity in the district hospitals where there is an infrastructure that was improved to cater for Covid-19 patients.

The department has worked on the repurposing of the infrastructure to support the delivery of services.

Human Resources

The department is working on the process to increase number of nurses in the specialist areas to build on the capacity that was made available during Covid-19

Health Technology

The equipment that was procured for Covid-19 response will be made available for use in the hospitals. This is part of the Covid-19 legacy projects.

Diseases surveillance

The department has published the regulations that are preparing the health system to improve the surveillance and response to the notifiable medical conditions. The department has extended the closing date for the submission of comments by a further three months, meaning that the department is prepared to listen to as many voices and views as possible.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1708

Profile picture: Mohlala, Ms MR

Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health

Considering the fact that there is fear that the fifth wave of the coronavirus is going to hit the Republic soon, what steps are being taken by his department to ensure that the impact of the specified wave is not as severe as previous waves?

Reply:

The department has worked with the provinces to do the following in order to ensure that the impact of Covid-19 is not as severe as the past four waves:

  • Conducting the Intra-Action Review to identify the lessons learned from the previous waves and to develop plans to identified close the gaps, while also enhancing those areas that the department did well.
  • The development of the resurgence plans which is based on the lessons learned from the four waves.
  • The plan is working on the Integration of Covid-19 into the health system, so that it must be managed as part of the mainstream.
  • The department is encouraging the South African Public to get vaccinated, as the best barrier to slowing down the impact of the pandemic while also minimising the severity in the event of infections.
  • Integrating the vaccine into the PHC services, to avoid creating silos and vertical programmes.
  • The plan is also to develop the Recovery and Rebuilding of the health systems for resilience.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1770

Profile picture: Masango, Ms B

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) total number of children have died nationally in public hospitals as a result of malnutrition and/or starvation and (b) is the total breakdown in each province?

Reply:

As part of the Integrated Management of childhood disease services, two Data Elements are monitored for malnutrition deaths. These Data Elements are:

  • Moderate acute malnutrition death under 5 years
  • Severe acute malnutrition death under 5 years

a) The total number of children who have died nationally in public hospitals as a result of malnutrition in the past three years is as follows:

Data Element

FY 2019/20

FY 2020/21

FY 2021/22

Moderate acute malnutrition death under 5 years

166

207

238

Severe acute malnutrition death under 5 years

868

568

771

Total (National)

1034

775

1009

The above table shows a drop in malnutrition deaths in 2020/21, however, the 2021/22 deaths are similar to the pre-COVD-19 deaths of 2019/20.

b) The Total breakdown in each province is as follows:

Data Element

Province

FY 2019/20

FY 2020/21

FY 2021/22

Moderate acute malnutrition death under 5 years

Eastern Cape Province

24

20

20

 

Free State Province

21

7

8

 

Gauteng Province

34

45

45

 

KwaZulu-Natal Province

33

83

81

 

Limpopo Province

27

13

21

 

Mpumalanga Province

11

24

29

 

Northern Cape Province

0

8

11

 

North West Province

14

6

19

 

Western Cape Province

2

1

4

Severe acute malnutrition death under 5 years

Eastern Cape Province

149

72

127

 

Free State Province

65

50

86

 

Gauteng Province

94

75

120

 

KwaZulu-Natal Province

176

164

187

 

Limpopo Province

124

70

82

 

Mpumalanga Province

60

52

59

 

Northern Cape Province

38

21

33

 

North West Province

154

56

62

 

Western Cape Province

8

8

15

 

Total (National)

1034

775

1009

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1651

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the details of the status of payments to suppliers within his department, (b) total number of suppliers have not been paid within the prescribed 30 days’ period and (c) are the total outstanding amounts that have not been paid?

Reply:

a) 80.7% of supplier invoices are paid within 30 days from receipt of an invoice.

b) A total of 44 suppliers have not yet been paid within the 30 days’ period.

c) The total amount not yet paid within the prescribed 30 days is R73,793,809.86.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1429

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) is the (i) total outstanding amount for medical claims currently and (ii) break down of the amount for each province and (b) were the claims for; (2) what is the total status quo in terms of legal costs for the specified claims broken down for each province; (3) whether the (a) legal costs and (b) costs of the outstanding medical claims have been factored into the current health budget; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the specified (a) legal costs and (b) cost of the outstanding medical claims have been factored into the current costing of the National Health Insurance Bill [B11-2019]; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health, it is in the provinces. The National Department of Health is therefore still consulting with all the Provincial Departments of Health to provide these details, and this will enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the provinces.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1338

Profile picture: Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN

Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Noting the remarks by the Auditor-General that the administration of the Eastern Cape Department of Health is in crisis, what intervention measures has he put in place to resolve the specified crisis in the specified province?

Reply:

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has put together a Health Turn-Around Plan consisting of six pillars to address the administrative challenges of the EC DOH. The strategies outlined in the plan envisage collaboration with and seeking assistance from other government departments and the Office of the Premier as well as external stakeholders including private sector, communities and academic institutions. The plan gives a detailed outline of the strategies and the support required from each of these stakeholders. The pillars of the plan are summarised below.

PILLARS OF THE EC HEALTH TURNAROUND PLAN AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT

1. Financial sustainability initiative: This pillar addresses the EC DOH financial discipline and wellness; looking at strategies to take department beyond compliance and towards social entrepreneurship. Strategies to address this pillar include a) revenue generation, b) introducing efficiencies, c) management of cost-drivers and d) management of debt and unauthorised expenditure.

2. Medico-legal intervention: addresses the following strategic objectives i.e

a) Stopping haemorrhage of funds

b) Strengthening case management

c) Developing Medico-Legal litigation expertise

d) Manage unauthorised expenditure associated Medico-Legal (ML) settlements

3. Service delivery optimisation pillar focuses on:

a) Service Optomisation Implementation Planning

b) HR Intervention to promote SDO

c) Securing buy-in from key stakeholders

4. Digitalisation and eHealth: This pillar addresses issues of inadequate capacity to track all debts against the department, insufficient staff and budget to electronically capture and store of maternity medical records on HMS2 module. Support services are manual therefore labour-intensive, cumbersome and prone to human error and broadband to critical sites slow. Alternative solutions are required in the interim to gain last mile connectivity.

5. Clinical - Healthy Communities Initiatives: has four strategic objectives which are:

a) National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation through ward-based community outreach teams

b) Primary Health Care (PHC) Approach of inter-sectoral collaboration

c) Addressing Burden of Disease

d) Integrated Development Planning6. 

6. The Foundation Pillar purports to strengthen Leadership and Management Capability and improves stakeholder trust and confidence in the EC healthcare system. The key focus areas are valued employees, capable teams, effective leadership and communication & change management.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1365

Profile picture: Langa, Mr TM

Langa, Mr TM to ask the Minister of Health

What steps have been taken by his department to ensure that service providers in hospitals, such as the Ngwelezana Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, comply with the minimum wage labour legislation and that workers are not abused?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is still consulting with the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health on this matter, to enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the province.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1391

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) intervention measures has he and/or his department taken at the Stanford Terrace Clinic in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, in 2021, where patients reportedly had to wait outside the locked gate in the rain while nurses enjoyed their lunch and (b) are the reasons that the problem has not been solved as complaints of a similar nature continue to be reported?

Reply:

The Department has investigated the matter with the Operational Manager of Stanford Terrace clinic and one of the reasons for the patient queuing outside the gate was due to inadequate space in the waiting area of the clinic as the clinic was implementing disaster management strategies and observing social distancing. The spacing of patients in mitigating the spread of COVID 19, resulted in queues that were outside the gate also because of large patient numbers.

Whilst the EC DOH acknowledges the basic conditions of employment of employees and nurses in particular, the locking of the gate with nurses enjoying lunch is regrettable, and investigations by labour relations office in this regard is underway. Should the findings of our investigation be found to be inconsistent with the EC DOH policies, consequence management will be instituted to those employees who failed to exercise the Batho Pele Principles whilst on duty.

PLANNED INTERVENTIONS

  • Training of Stanford Terrace Nurses on Batho Pele Principles and;
  • Procurement of a tent as a temporal measure for patients waiting to be served

As the National Department of Health, we will follow this matter closely to see to its conclusion.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1442

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) number of (i) doctors, (ii) paramedics and (iii) nurses have been victims of a violent and/or non-violent crime in the workplace and (b) is the breakdown in each province; (2) what (a) plans have been put in place to improve the safety of medical staff on duty and (b) has he found to be the highest and lowest risk areas in the Republic in this regard?

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health, it is in the provinces. The National Department of Health is therefore still consulting with all the Provincial Departments of Health to provide these details, and this will enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the provinces.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1492

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What is the reason that his department has published new regulations under the National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003, which will effectively be a long-term replacement of the Republic’s state of disaster COVID-19 regulations?

Reply:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple adverse social and economic impacts on our people. The pandemic has created important lessons that should inform our policy actions and decision making going forward. The dissolution of the National State of Disaster by the President on 5th April 2022 necessitates that government retains the necessary mechanisms and levers that can be proactively utilised in the management of future COVID-19 and other types of similar future pandemics and notifiable medical conditions.

In this respect, and to ensure there are enough legislative and regulatory measures to manage the current and future outbreaks, the National Department of Health published the draft regulations under the National Health Act (61 of 2003) and International Health Regulations Act (28 of 1974). The objective of these draft regulations is to create transparent and structured measures which include the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions; public health measures in points of entry; management of human remains; and regulations relating to environmental health. These draft regulations are not in any way intended to allow for the long-term replacement of the dissolved State of Disaster regulations as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1493

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Noting the exorbitant prices of baby formula and the lack of provision thereof in hospitals, what steps will he and/or his department take to ensure (a) affordable pricing of baby formula in the hospitals and (b) that hospitals and/or clinics do not run out of baby formula?

Reply:

(a) The Department of Health actively promotes, protects and supports breastfeeding as a public health intervention to optimise child survival. This includes exclusive breastfeeding for a child’s first six month of life, followed by ongoing breastfeeding until at least two years of age together with introduction of good quality complementary household foods. The commitment is in line with the Tshwane Declaration which was adopted at the National Breastfeeding Consultative Meeting in August 2011.

In the years leading up to the Tshwane Declaration, the Department of Health provided free infant formula feed to infants whose mothers were HIV-infected. This policy and practice caused much confusion in communities and contributed to low exclusive breastfeeding rates in South Africa, which in turn contributed to high child mortality rates. One of the key Tshwane Declaration commitments was to stop providing free infant formula at public health facilities with limited exceptions for cases where breastfeeding is contraindicated.

(b) The Department has an RT-9 transversal contract in place which is managed by National Treasury. This contract includes all the necessary products or supplements that are currently required for use in people requiring specialised nutrition due to their disease conditions, and includes infant formula products. The products need to comply with the labelling, ingredient and other requirements as stipulated in the relevant regulations published in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetic and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972). Hospitals and clinics purchase the infant formula using the RT-9 transversal contract in accordance with their requirements. Where there are legitimate medical conditions as diagnosed by the medical practitioner, or when a mother is incapable for caring for her infant or young child, infant formula is provided for free by the hospital or clinic for up to 12 months.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1520

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department keeps a record of (a) hospitals and/or (b) clinics throughout the Republic that have been ravaged by (i) fire, (ii) theft and/or (iii) vandalism; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (aa) name of each hospital and/or clinic and (bb) extent of the damages in each specified case; (2) whether his department intends to repair such damages; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard; (3) what impact has he found has damaged clinics and hospitals had on healthcare service delivery in their respective areas?

Reply:

This information is not readily available at the National Department of Health, it is in the provinces. The National Department of Health is therefore still consulting with all the Provincial Departments of Health to provide these details, and this will enable the Minister to respond to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will therefore be submitted as soon as information has been received from the provinces.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1521

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether any (a) hospitals and/or (b) clinics throughout the Republic have been (i) temporarily and/or (ii) permanently shut down and/or (iii) non-operational; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, (aa) what are the reasons for this and (bb) have there been any claims that the shutdowns are due to supernatural activity experienced?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is working with all the Provinces to collate this information and will provide the response to the question as soon as the information has been received from all provinces, in due course.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1525

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Given that it was reported to the Portfolio Committee on Health that the National Health Laboratory Service has finally insourced the security guards and cleaners, (a) on what date did the insourcing happen, (b) what total number of workers (i) were insourced and (ii) are still to be insourced and (c) what is their current (i) remuneration and (ii) worker benefits?

Reply:

a) The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) insourced cleaners, gardeners and security officers starting from October 2017 and completed the process in April 2018.

b) The total number of workers insourced is (i) 430 however, (ii) the current total of insourced employees is 570 as the NHLS continued to recruit employees in the mentioned categories.

c) (i) Current remuneration: The cleaners and gardeners are graded at grade A on Paterson grading system. The salaries range from R96 051 per annum to R130 673 per annum. The security officers are graded at A3 on the Paterson grading system which ranges from R133 412 per annum to R179 198 per annum.

(ii) Worker Benefits: This cohort is part of the bargaining forum for employees within the NHLS. Their benefits include medical aid subsidy of 75%; 13th cheque which they receive in December each year, a living allowance of approximately R22 000 per annum and the pension fund. In addition, the NHLS implements a performance management and development policy which provides for annual performance assessment and criteria to qualify for performance awards or incentives in the form of pay progression and performance bonus. There are also bursary programs, and all employees complete a workplace skills plan for further skills development.

The NHLS also subscribes to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act No. 75 of 1997, which regulate hours of work and leave. Other benefits include an employee assistance program, where if an employee experiences personal challenges of any nature, they can call the NHLS’s 24 hours hotline and speak to a professional for assistance.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1557

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What has he found to be the reasons that (a) more than 42 000 suppliers of the Gauteng Department of Health are owed R3,1 billion and (b) the situation was allowed to get to this point; (2) whether all the suppliers have been paid monies owed to them; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is consulting with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health to source the relevant details in this regard. The Gauteng Provincial Department has been requested to provide the Ministry with the required information to enable the Minister to provide the response to the Honourable Member’s question. The response will be submitted as soon as information has been obtained from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1565

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

What package of health interventions has he put in place to deal with the crisis caused by floods in KwaZulu-Natal?

Reply:

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health treated 529 patients at our health facilities for flood-related incidents with 17 deaths reported during the acute phase of the flood disaster. There were no major disruptions to rendering of health care services in the affected health districts.

An additional 7 sessional pathologists were brought in to expedite the postmortems. A total of 429 post mortems were conducted, of which, 399 bodies have been identified by families.

Health care services continue to be rendered to 1 749 clients from displaced communities that are currently sheltered in community halls. This also includes ensuring dispensing of chronic medication.

Environment Health is monitoring water quality in eThekwini Municipality and Ugu District Municipality. Where water quality issues have been picked up in tanked water and Jojo tanks, these have been escalated to the relevant authorities. Health and hygiene education on small-scale water purification methods i.e., use of Jik and chlorine sachets by households is ongoing. Health awareness on Waterborne illnesses, Waste Management & COVID 19 Protocols is ongoing. Awareness on foodborne illnesses on soup kitchens and distribution centres has also been raised. Communicable Disease Control monitoring for water borne diseases is ongoing.

Water tankers were used and still continue to be used supply water to hospitals and clinics without piped water.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has identified at least 87 projects at health facilities related to the flood damages at an estimated cost of R258 million and is currently addressing these together with the Department of Public Works.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, together with the National Department of Health, continue to monitor the situation and are addressing the challenges accordingly.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1579

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Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Health

Whether (a) his department and/or (b) entities reporting to him concluded any commercial contracts with (i) the government of the Russian Federation and/or (ii) any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for each commercial contract, what are the (aa) relevant details, (bb) values, (cc) time frames, (dd) goods contracted and (ee) reasons that the goods could not be contracted in the Republic?

Reply:

a) The National Department of Health did not conclude any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation or any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

b) None of the entities reporting to the Minister of Health concluded any commercial contracts with the government of the Russian Federation or any other entity based in the Russian Federation since 1 April 2017.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1613

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Considering the exorbitant amount owed by the State for medico-legal claims, how does his department plan to pay all the outstanding medical claims against them; (2) will payment of the claims come from the national health budget; if not, where will the payment come from; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

As the National Department of Health, we are consulting with the provincial Departments of Health to collate the responses from those provincial Departments of Health to enable the Minister to respond to this question. The Minister will submit the response to the question as soon as the relevant information is received from the provinces.

END.

12 May 2022 - NW1629

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Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department keeps a record of clinic and hospital visits of children who receive a Child Support Grant from the SA Social Security Agency; if not, why not; if so, what number of children who receive the grant in each (a) province and (b) metropolitan municipality are currently being treated for malnutrition?

Reply:

No, the Department of Health does not keep a record of clinic and hospital visits of children who receive a Child Support Grant from the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA). The Department renders health services according to the needs of all clients, regardless of their social standing.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW942

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)(a) What total number of complaints have been (i) received from women who claim to be abused during labour by health workers and (ii) resolved, (b) at what hospitals did the specified abuse occur and (c) what measurers has his department put in place to deal with the issue; (2) what measurers has his department put in place to deal with the epidemic of obstetric violence; (3) what (a) total number of complaints have been received from patients who did not sign in terms of consent to undergo episiotomies during labour and (b) are the names of the health facilities where this has occurred?

Reply:

The information requested by this question is not readily available at the National Department. The Department is working with all provincial departments of Health to source this information. As soon as the information is received, the Minister will furnish a full response in this regard.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1441

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro Collaboration Programme is a national programme; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, is it funded provincially or nationally?

Reply:

The Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme is a National Programme that was established through a Government-to-Government memorandum of agreement between the government of the Republic of Cuba and the government of the Republic of South Africa. Eight (8) provincial departments of Health are participating in the programme except one provincial department of health. The participating provinces fund the training of students that come directly from these provinces.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1430

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

What (a)(i) is the reason that the Republic has not allowed for foreign verification of vaccine passports into certain countries and (ii) consequences will this have for South Africans entering into those countries and (b) by what date will foreign verification of vaccine passports be available from a global point of view?

Reply:

a) (i) Countries generally do not provide mechanisms for verification of vaccinations in other countries (other than their trading blocs as in the EU). It is not possible for South Africa to verify vaccination certificates from other countries in South Africa. The QR codes from most countries are also not readable outside of their own countries. This is for security reasons and to prevent fraud. As a way to accept other country vaccination certificates the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has taken responsibility for the negotiations of reciprocity for the acceptance of Vaccination Certificates through the individual country embassies. This will provide for the acceptance of the South African Vaccination Certificates by foreign countries and in return the acceptance of vaccination certificates from foreign countries within South Africa.

(ii) Where individuals are experiencing challenges with regards to entering another country, and the SA COVID 19 Vaccination Certificates are questioned, this is being handled through the embassies on a case-by-case basis.

(b) The are no common international standards for the COVID 19 Vaccination Certificate development or its technology use cases. This is an ever-evolving environment within different countries or regions’ specific policies. Within the above scenario a specific date cannot be confirmed.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1389

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

In light of the negative impact of COVID-19 and budgetary constraints, what steps have been taken by his department to assist the Office of the Health Standard Compliance to fill some of its critical vacancies?

Reply:

The department is responsible to make transfer payments to the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) as allocated from the national fiscus for the entity to conduct its operations in accordance with its legislative mandate. Requests for additional funds for the entity’s operations including compensation of employees would be made to the National Treasury by the entity with support from the department following due process (budget process).

The department supported the OHSC’s application to the National Treasury to retain accumulated surplus for the 2020/21 financial year considering the negative impact of COVID-19 and budgetary constraints to fund the following objectives as identified by the entity:

  • Supplementing human resource capacity in the Complaints Management Unit, Certification and Enforcement Unit, and Legal Service Unit; 
  • Additional budget for inspections and re-inspections, and certification and enforcement; 
  • Replacement of old computer equipment/tools of trade (recapitalization); and 
  • Development and/or enhancement of core systems – inspection, early warning system, certification, and enforcement.  

In addition, the Department during the 2020 MTEF process ensured that the OHSC’s budget was not reduced. National Treasury had proposed a reduction of 5.7% in 2021/22 and 8.5% in 2022/23 as a result of the tight fiscal envelope.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1337

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, noting the low intake of vaccines, any additional procurement is taking place currently; if not, why not; if so, what will (a) be his department’s intervention strategy for an uptake in vaccines be and (b) happen to the vaccines procured, if persons are no longer getting boosters as it is expected?

Reply:

As of April 2022, 23 million doses of vaccine were available in South Africa. Given the continuing low uptake of vaccination, there is a high risk that a significant number of doses will not be utilised before their expiry date. In light of this situation, no vaccines are currently being procured.

  1. The Department of Health continues to work with a range of partners to increase uptake of vaccination. These interventions include:
  1. Continuing to provide consistent messaging around the importance of vaccination through a multiple media channels.
  2. Ensuring effective liaison and collaboration for COVID -19 vaccination with community leaders and key stakeholders at ward-level
  3. Strengthening platforms for participatory community dialogues, events, and activations
  4. Improving community engagement and mobilisation for COVID-19 vaccination through the use of trained vaccinated Social Mobilisers
  5. Providing technical assistance for localised communications that support COVID-19 vaccination mobilisation activities
  6. Improving site marketing and build sustainable vaccine trust by advertising vaccination sites and using Social Mobilisers
  7. Strengthening social mobilisation results-based management using Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and Geolocation Information System (GIS) generated data
  8. Strengthening demand acceleration amongst vulnerable and hard to reach populations such as youth, undocumented persons and People Living with HIV thorugh community engagement strategies

(b) The National Department of Health is exploring opportunities for donating excess vaccines to other countries. If this is not possible, then excess vaccines that have reached their expiry date will be discarded.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1323

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King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) is the current ratio of (i) doctor to patient and (ii) nurse to patient in public hospitals and (b) total number of medical professions are on the critical skills list?

Reply:

(a) (i) The current ratio of doctor to patient in public sector is 1:3198.

(ii) The current ratio of Nurse to patient in public sector is 1:357.

This is based on the following:

  • The current total of Medical Doctors in the public health sector is 16 073.
  • There are currently 144 090 Nurses appointed in the public health sector as of 31 March 2022. (This total includes all categories of nurses) (i.e., in all 9 Provinces including the National Department of health) recorded on the 31 March 2022 PERSAL System date set.
  • Based on the Stats SA mid-year population estimates 2021, the current South African population is 60.14 million, with 4.05 million registered members, serving 8.94 million beneficiaries (i.e., insured population according to the 2021 Council of Medical Schemes data); and
  • Approximately 51.4 million citizens are uninsured, and they depend on the public sector hospitals.

(b) From 01 April 2017 to 31 March 2021 the National Department of Health has supported 1356 Medical doctors to apply for critical skill visa with Department of Home Affairs.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1277

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he will furnish Ms H Ismail with a copy of the report of the internal audit and reconciliation as conducted by his department with the provinces on the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro Collaboration Programme from October to December 2021; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is still working with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health on this report. It will be shared with the Honourable Member as soon as it has been completed.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1235

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

Noting that the recent report of the Auditor-General details irregularities pertaining to his department which have also been noted in previous reports, what (a) steps have been taken to rectify the irregularities identified and (b) action will be taken against those who keep repeating the same irregularities identified?

Reply:

(a) The department has reviewed its Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy and aligned it with the National Treasury SCM Instruction Notes and Circulars that are issued from time to time by National Treasury. Currently NDOH SCM is also reviewing its Standard Operating Procedure of SCM to be also in line with the new with the intension to workshop rework shop all their internal stakeholders (different branches and clusters in the department). With these workshops is the enhance compliance with prescripts and bring everyone on board with the latest developments in SCM space.

(b) Section 38 of the PFMA and Chapter 8 of the Irregular Expenditure Framework issued by National Treasury direct that disciplinary steps must be taken against officials responsible for irregular expenditure. In adhering to these requirements, some of the officials implicated in irregular expenditure cases had been suspended and disciplinary hearings are in progress.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1097

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, in view of allegations that hospitals are not complying fully with current health and safety legislation, state hospitals have representatives who serve on the safety committees; if not, why not; if so, do they identify Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment; (2) whether budgets have been made available to ensure that state hospitals are compliant; if not, what budgets will be required to ensure that all state hospitals are compliant; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is working with all provincial departments of Health to source the information requested by this question. As soon as the information is received, the Minister will furnish a full response in this regard.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1059

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What (a)(i) total number of recommendations emanating from the reports of the Commission for Gender Equality concerning his department have been implemented over the past 10 years and (ii) are the details of the recommendations and (b)(i) total number of recommendations have not been implemented and (ii) are the reasons for not implementing these recommendations?

Reply:

The National Department of Health engagements has been on the issues highlighted in the following Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) report.

1. Report on the consultative hearings on the status of shelters in South Africa 2020.

(a) (i) Total number of recommendations is six (6) and 1 of the recommendations has six (6) sub-recommendations.

(b) (i) Total number of recommendations not implemented is two (2).

Table below responds to details of the recommendations and indicate those implemented and not implemented

Table:

Recommendations

Implemented

Not implemented

Reason for not implementing

(a) The NDOH must develop norms and standards for the provision of services to domestic and GBV survivors, including:

(i) The creation of an area-relevant shelter referral list

(ii) The sensitive treatment of survivors of GBV.

(iii) The required services for survivors and their children at shelters and duties of care.

List received from the Department of Social Department

Front line workers are trained on treatment on sensitivity to survivorsrs and children implemented by all health facilities using the Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights policy and guidelines

 

Plotting of the shelter list to health facilities still needs to be concluded.

 

(iv) The prioritisation of survivors of GBV at clinics and hospitals.

(v) Transport for survivors to health facilities and the provision of primary healthcare at shelters.

(vi) Clear, sensitive norms for the provision of services to the LGBTIQA+ community and PWDs and other vulnerable survivors.

Ambulances are provided when needed.

Front line workers are now trained for gender sensitisations in the Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights Module

Adapted the The South African National LGBTI HIV Plan, 2017-2022 that define norms and package of care also to survivors.

 

After the process of plotting shelters, we will be able to know proximity of shelters to health facilities. Where there are no fixed structures, we will look at the option of mobile clinics.

a) The NDOH is to issue a circular by the end of December 2019 on the prioritisation of GBV survivors at health facilities at all levels. A copy of the circular is to be provided to the Commission.

 

Director General of Health to still approve Circular

Director General of Health to still approve Circular

b) The NDOH is to develop a programme on harmful social norms and myths that facilitate the spread of GBV, rather than to focus only on a legislative approach. The Commission welcomes engagements on this development

 

This Programme is a social phenomenon and Ndoh will not be able to prepare a Programme, however, will collaborate with other social stakeholders guided by the National Strategic Plan doe Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

 

c) The NDOH is to make mental health services as well as detoxification facilities more accessible to shelter residents. The NDOH must revert with the proposed roll-out plan.

Mental Health services are established in terms of the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020, which is being updated and founded on the provisions of the Mental Health care Act 2002 (Act No 17 of 2002).

Access for all citizens including shelter residents is ensured, among others, through the following initiatives:

  • Integration of mental health in the core package of district health services.

  • Routine screening for mental illness and a stepped approach to management and referral for mental conditions from PHC.

  • Establishment of district specialist mental health teams to plan and coordinate mental health services in districts.

  • Strategic purchasing of services from health providers to render mental health services at Primary Health Care. These includes psychiatrists, Psychologists, Registered Counsellors, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists.

  • Regarding Detoxification, Substance abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services are provided in terms of the Prevention of and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act, 2008, which is led by the Department of Social Development (DSD).

  • Substance abuse

rehabilitation centres are subsidized by DSD.

  • The Department of Health screens for and manages substance abuse across all levels of the health system in line with the Adult Primary Care guidelines and the Essential Medicines List, Standard Treatment Guidelines.

  • Detoxification is provided to all community members in general hospitals, when required.

 

 

(e) The NDOH must provide a report on the training that frontline staff, managers, and senior managers have received on GBV.

Report was provided for frontline staff provided in 2020.

 

 

(f) The NDOH has a duty to educate communities around issues of health and it must engage the community around the stigmas surrounding survivors, and where to seek help.

Community mobilization is done on this issue by the Department and partners such as Love Life and Soul City.

 

 

 

2. Report into the investigation on the forced sterilization of women living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa 2020.

(a) (i) Total number of recommendations is nine (9) only 5 applicable to the Department of Health

(b) (i) Total number of recommendations not implemented is one (1) and in process.

Table below responds to details of the recommendations and indicate those implemented and

not implemented

Table:

Recommendations

Implemented

Not implemented

Reason for not implementing

1.The Commission will refer this report and its findings to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (Health Professions Council of South Africa) and the complaints contained herein. The HPCSA guides and regulates health professions on all aspects pertaining to professional conduct and ethical behavior. Thus, they ought to engage with this report on this matter as they have the necessary capacity to investigate the professional conduct and behavior of the implicated health care practitioners.

 

Responsibility of CGE

 

2. The Commission will refer this report and its findings to the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and the complaints contained herein. The SANC guides and regulates nurses on all aspects pertaining to professional conduct and ethical behavior. Thus, they ought to engage with this report on this matter as they have the necessary capacity to investigate the professional conduct and behavior of the implicated health care practitioners;

 

Responsibility of CGE

 

3.The NDOH, upon receipt of this report must interrogate and

scrutinise the provisions of the Sterilisation Act and interrogate

consent forms for sterilisations to ascertain whether the provisions

contained therein provide for and protect the principle of informed

consent in all respects. The NDOH must report to the CGE within 3

(Three months) of receipt of this report as to what concrete steps the Department will take to ensure that the eradication of

the harmful practice of forced

sterilization.

Implemented, and there was no need to change the Act however, clarification on Sterilization Act was provided in the National Contraceptive guideline updated in 2019

 

 

4. The NDOH, upon receipt of this report must facilitate dialogue between themselves and the complainants to for them to find ways of providing redress to the Complainants.

Done on the 3rd and 4th June 2021 in Durban.

 

 

5. The Commission will present this report as part of its petition to the SALRC for amendments to legislation that ensure consent is properly obtained such as counselling prior to consent, the timing of obtaining consent and compulsory information that must be provide.

 

Responsibility of CGE

 

6. The NDOH must revise consent forms to bring them into conformity with the guidelines provided by International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and standardised for all sterilization procedures. The NDOH should also print consent forms in all official languages, and the explanation around the procedure,particularly its irreversible nature should be given in the patient’s language of choice. This must be executed and attested to;

Implemented. Translation to 10 other languages completed and the process is in the process of acquiring tender to print the revised consent forms.

 

 

7. The NDOH must make it an operational policy requirement that where a patient agrees to sterilisation, they must be given a

“Cooling off” period to fully appreciate the risks and

consequences of their sterilisation procedure.

Implemented as documented on the revised Maternity case record

 

 

8. Standard timeframes should be put in place in relation to when the discussion around sterilisation should take place. Patients cannot be informed about this process minutes before going to theatre.

Patients must also be informed that they are at liberty to change

their minds at any time before the procedure takes place;

Implemented as documented on the revised Maternity case record

 

 

9. The DOH must ensure that their filing systems, both manual and

electronic are standardised for ease of coordination. Feedback to the latter must be provided within 3 months from date of this report.

 

Not implemented however the process of filing systems are being addressed through the NHI configuration systems.

 

3. Report on the Government's Emergency Response Action Plan (ERAP) on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, Review of implementation 2020.

No recommendations in the report specific to the Department of Health.

4. Report on the gender transformation on procurement 2018/19

No recommendations in the report.

5. Report on the Victims Charter: Assessing the Effectiveness of Implementation by Departments of Health and Correctional Services 2012.

No recommendations in the report.

 

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1055

Profile picture: Madlingozi, Mr BS

Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What progress has been made in refurbishing the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital since the fire incident that destroyed parts of the hospital and (b) on what date is it envisaged that the hospital will reopen?

Reply:

a) The following progress has been made:

PROGRESS FOR THE EMERGENCY UNIT

The technical work for the Emergency Unit is 99% complete. The Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the City of Johannesburg. The clinical operations will be executed in phases starting from the 6th May 2022.

PROGRESS FOR THE REMEDIAL WORK FOR ALL THE BLOCKS

The remedial work covers the following milestones:

(i) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW STORES FACILITY

  • Construction works will start on the 25 May 2022
  • Practical handover of the News Stores Facility is scheduled for the 10 November 2022.

(ii) CONDUCTING OF A DETAILED ASSESSMENT

Construction works will start on the 4 April 2022 until 13 June 2022

(iii) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TEMPORARY ACCESS TO PARKING

  • Construction works will start on the 13 April 2022
  • Practical handover of the News Stores Facility is scheduled for the 15 May 2022.

(iv) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAIN WORK FOR BLOCK 4 AND 5 REMEDIAL WORKS

b) Practical handover and completion is December 2023

END.

05 May 2022 - NW1045

Profile picture: Ceza, Mr K

Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the root causes of the persistent postponement of the completion date for the Middelburg District Hospital and (b)(i) corrective measures have been taken and (ii) are the details regarding the lifeline of the project?

Reply:

a) The root cause is related to the following factors:

  • Some of the delays were caused by the COVID-19 restrictions including the unavailability of material. CORRECTIVE MEASURE: Due date for completion has been extended until end of September 2022.
  • There was a poor application of the design standard to be used for example: IUSS (Infrastructure Unit System Support) matters. CORRECTIVE MEASURE: Training has been arranged to unpack the IUSS requirements.
  • There was a lack of bulk infrastructure on site. CORRECTIVE MEASURE: The National Department of Health has provided a team of technical engineers to the Mpumalanga Province to address the issues related to the lack of bulk infrastructure.
  • Insufficient yearly budget allocation due to COVID-19 requirements and priorities.

b) Further remedial activities:

Department has allocated budget for 2022/23 financial to install the bulk infrastructure services (sewerage, bulk water supply, storm water drainage and access road) because municipality does not have the funds and these charges will be deducted from the municipality bill payment of the services.

END.

05 May 2022 - NW944

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) total number of cases of obstetric violence have been reported since 2016, (b) is the breakdown of such cases in each province, (c) are the relevant details of each case, (d) are the total legal costs to his department relating to obstetric violence since 2016 and (e) total number of patients have reported episiotomies being conducted without their permission since 2016; (2) what (a) total number of cases of (i) maternal death due to medical negligence after birth have there been since 2016 and (ii) infant death have occurred due to medical negligence since 2016 and (b) is the current total amount in legal fees owed by his department due to medical negligence?

Reply:

The information requested by this question is not readily available at the National Department. The Department is working with all provincial departments of Health to source this information. As soon as the information is received, the Minister will furnish a full response in this regard.

END.