Questions to Ministers

14 October 2022 - NW3361

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the reasons that he has not responded to grievances and cases reported to him telephonically via SMS, calls and/or whatsapp and (b) steps must be taken to ensure that he is able to respond to cases pertaining to his Ministry and healthcare facilities?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Honourable Member is kindly requested to provide us with specifics of this question. The Honourable Member is also requested to utilize the available processes of Parliament in raising the issues with the department, in order to obtain the information and assistance required.

END.

14 October 2022 - NW3276

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the (a) total number of hospital beds that are available for mental health illness patients and (b) breakdown of the beds in each province; (2) what is the total number of (a) mental health related admissions and (b) public healthcare facilities? NW4034E

Source
Link

Reply:

1. (a) There are 14004 number of beds available for mental health patients

(b) The following table reflects the details in this regard, according to the Provincial Departments of Health:

Breakdown of the beds in each province

Table 1.

Province	Total beds
Eastern Cape	1816
Free State	927
Gauteng	2478
KwaZulu-Natal	3028
Limpopo	1569
Mpumalanga	329
Northern Cape	344
North West	1446
Western Cape	2067
TOTAL	14004

2. (a) The information from the District Health Information System indicates that there were 131 837 mental health separations (admissions) during 2021.

(b) There are 328 public mental health facilities in the country

Stand-alone specialized psychiatric hospitals	Psychiatric units attached to general hospitals	Facilities listed to conduct 72-hours assessments
24	40	264

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3483

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What are the details of his department’s response to the recent calls by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa for healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics to be exempt from load-shedding as it poses risks to patients; (2) whether he has found that patients are being adversely affected by the blackouts; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) to what extent and (b) what are the full relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. Firstly, the National Department of Health has identified a priority list of health facilities that require an urgent exemption either from Eskom or local municipalities. The list has been submitted to both Eskom and local municipalities for approval. Secondly, my department is currently conducting a due diligent exercise for the installation of solar panels at all our health facilities as a second or third power back-up mechanism (first being generators and second being Uninterrupted Power Supply).

2. Refer to response above.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3357

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) is the ambulance-to-population ratio in George in the Western Cape and (b) plans have been put in place to provide more ambulances to George and other areas in the Southern Cape area?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) In the Western Cape resources are deployed based on District and Sub-District level rather than Local Municipalities. In this case they deploy resources to the Garden Route District. The population for the Garden Route District is 622 000. This equates to 0.3 ambulances per 10 000 population. The ambulance allocation per sub-district is as follows:

George 3

Knysna 2

Plettenberg Bay 2

Uniondale 1

Dysselsdorp 2

Oudtshoorn 2

Calitzdorp 1

Ladismith 1

Heidelberg 1

Riversdale 2

Mosselbay 2

b) The reality is that without a significant increase in the budget for compensation of employees the Western Cape province is unable to increase the number of ambulances. The Province is however, deploying several other initiatives to augment service delivery. These include:

Community-orientated Emergency Care underpinned by the Emergency First Aid Programme
Augmentation of provincial services with contracted private ambulance service

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3356

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

Which of the recommendations that were made to his department by the AuditorGeneral in the 202122 financial year were (a)(i) implemented and (ii) how were they implemented in each case and (b)(i) not implemented and (ii) what are the reasons that they were not implemented?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Auditor-General ‘s (AGSA) audit on National Department of Health (the department) for 2021-22 was concluded on 27 September 2022 which is when the final version of the audit reports were issued to the department. The timing of the parliamentary question preceded the issuing of the final version of the audit report to the department by AGSA. Furthermore, the department has just tabled its Annual Report 2021/22 that includes the 2021/22 AGSA’s Audit Report with recommendations. The departments Annual Report 2021/22 is also scheduled to be presented at the Portfolio Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, 14 October 2022.

The department is currently coordinating the process of ensuring that all the AGSA’s audit findings and recommendations are supported by proper management action plans to address the findings.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3346

Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With reference to the dysfunctional sewerage plant that was pouring raw and contaminated sewerage into the Elands River, upon which thousands of persons rely for water for irrigation and daily use and which is spreading water borne diseases like Cholera, Dysentery and Hepatitis and many other diseases in the process, what interactions are being held with other departments, in particular the Department of Water and Sanitation, to assess and mitigate health disasters; (2) whether water sources are checked and tested to assess the (a) possible increase in COVID-19 and (b) the spread of other diseases; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what measures are in place at a provincial level to regularly assess the water quality and other potential disease risks in vulnerable communities; (4) what number of patients in each district in Limpopo have been treated for possible water borne diseases in the past 12 months?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. Interactions are being held with other departments. Municipal Health Services Departments, led by Environmental Health Practitioners, with other sector Departments such as Department of Water and Sanitation in those areas of jurisdiction jointly assess potential health hazards and risks.

The Department of Health has developed the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards that further guides Municipalities on roles they should play to ensure that communities are not exposed to unsafe water including development of Municipal Water Quality Monitoring Plans against which routine water sampling is conducted. The National Department of Health further encourages and support Municipalities in conducting health Education to the communities affected including providing all other Municipal Health Services.

2. (a) Yes, wastewater is tested. Domestic water sources are not tested because SARS-CoV-2 is not spread by water.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Durban University of Technology started testing wastewater for SARS-COV-2 in mid-2020, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Municipalities.

As a result, interested laboratories formed the South African Collaborative COVID-19 Environmental Surveillance System Network (SACCESS). The aim of the SACCESS is to create a network of stakeholders (including laboratories and municipalities) capable of testing wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 by standardised methodology to support tracking of the COVID-19 pandemic across South Africa.

Results of wastewater based testing for communicable diseases in influent sewerage reflect the health status of the population, and proves helpful in monitoring effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 is not transmitted by wastewater and untreated wastewater influent is not regarded as infectious for SARS-CoV-2. Data from testing of wastewater has been made available in South Africa through the NICD-led South African ‘SACCESS’ network and has contributed to developing COVID-19 response plans.

(b) Municipalities’ environmental health services are required to develop water quality monitoring plans in accordance with the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards for Environmental Health. These plans include, monthly domestic water quality monitoring plans including water borne diseases environmental surveillance, include cholera monitoring amongst others.

3. District and Metropolitan Municipalities’ environmental health services are required to develop water quality monitoring plans in accordance with the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards for Environmental Health. These plans include, the requirements for monthly domestic water quality monitoring supplies in terms of microbiological and chemical quality of water for fitness for human consumption for water services and non-water services authorities.

Sampling is focused on water supplies that are likely to pose risk to human health.

In the event of non-compliance with water quality standards, sampling frequency is increased (for example to 4 (four) samples per month).

Monitoring of water sources is accompanied by the necessary community education.

(4) The following information is supplied by the Limpopo Department of health. The most recent period for which data is available is August 2021 – July 2022.

Below is a table that indicates the number of cases of water-borne diseases that were treated:

Table: Diarrheal cases by district for last 12 months from Aug 2021 to Jul 2022 District

District	Waterborne disease	Number of case treated
Capricorn	Cholera	0
	shigellosis	1
	Typhoid	2
Mopani	Cholera	0
	shigellosis	0
	Typhoid	0
Sekhukhune	Cholera	0
	shigellosis	0
	Typhoid	0
Vhembe	Cholera	0
	shigellosis	0
	Typhoid	2
Waterberg	Cholera	0
	shigellosis	0
	Typhoid	0
Total		5

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3290

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department has been informed that the Health Professions Council of South Africa has refused to refund examination fees that it has charged repeat candidates (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what measures have been taken to rectify the issue?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department has been informed that the Health Professions Council of South Africa is currently processing refunds for candidates that paid and were scheduled to take both components of the medical professions board examination (Theory and OSCE) but ended up taking only OSCE component.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3408

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What total number of vaccines have (a) expired and (b) been destroyed as a result of expiry, since the initial purchase of the vaccines; (2) what is the breakdown of the total amount, including transport and storage fees, that it actually costs when a vaccine has expired and must be destroyed; (3) what total amount has it cost the Government to date to destroy (a) Johnson & Johnson and (b) Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines due to the (i) specified vaccines reaching expiration dates and (ii) vials being unsealed?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. No vaccines have been destroyed as a result of expiry from the central storage managed by the National Department of Health.

2. When it becomes necessary to destroy vaccines due to expiry at the central storage level, there will be two cost elements resulting in a total cost per vial:

(i) Distribution from the central warehouse to the waste management sites:

Pfizer: R16.24 to R20.49 per vial of 6 doses - depending on the vaccine distributor.

J&J: R14.90 to R14.94 per vial of 5 doses - depending on the vaccine distributor.

(ii) Cost of destruction, which is estimated to be between R18 and R25 per kilogram.

Pfizer: A tray of 195 vials weighs approximately 1.2kg - therefore, R0.11 to R0.15 per vial
J&J: A shipper of 480 vials weighs approximately 3kg - therefore, R0.11 to R0.16 per vial

(iii) Estimated total cost of destruction per vial:

Pfizer: R16.35 to R20.64 per vial of 6 doses
J&J: R15.01 to R15.10 per vial of 5 doses.

3. (a)-(b) (i) Zero Rands in central storage. The province bears the cost of destroying expired vaccine doses at a facility level. The waste disposal is integrated into the normal waste disposal contracts and is generally costed by weight. It will be difficult to calculate the cost for vaccines only as the waste would include other medicines.

(ii) The province bears the cost of destroying opened vials. As these doses are disposed of together with the needle and syringes in yellow sharps containers (i.e. normal waste for any immunization programme) it is once again difficult to determine the cost for the vaccines alone as these vials, syringes, and needles will generally be mixed with other sharps disposed of at a facility level.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3270

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the (a) ratio for physio and/or biological to psychiatric and/or psychological healthcare services in public health facilities nationally and (b) breakdown of the ratio in each province; (2) what is the ratio for physio and/or biological to psychiatric and/or psychological healthcare workers in the Republic?

Source
Link

Reply:

The National Department requests the Honourable Member to rephrase the question in a clear manner for the Department to assist in responding. The question is not clear and it is difficult to provide a response.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3234

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Following his visit to Kalafong Hospital after the reported xenophobic attacks against patients assumed to be foreign nationals and patients who did not carry identification documents, (a) what is the outcome of his visit to the specified hospital and (b) how did hospital management take accountability for the flouting of security requirements and expectations?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Minister of Health conducted site visit to the hospital on Thursday, 01 September 2022, and interacted with facility management to assess the impact of protests on health service deliver, local SAPS authorities to understand their role in enforcing the court interdict and leaders of the Operation Dudula to understand their concerns.

a) During this meeting an agreement was reached that the protests should end with immediate effect, and all concerns should be raised through proper channels, instead of protests action that will affect service delivery. The protest was called-off.

b) After Kalafong hospital management was alerted of the disruption of free access to the hospital, hospital security and SAPS members were deployed to ensure free access to the hospital.

2. Secondly, the hospital management applied for an urgent court interdict against the protesting organization. A Court interdict preventing disruption to free access to the hospital was subsequently granted.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3210

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, in view of the important role that advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) play in national and international health care (details furnished), what are the reasons that (a) the Government is not making more of a concerted effort to train more ANPs in an attempt to address the Republic’s health care system which continues to struggle with a shortage of doctors and (b) more posts that fully utilise the capacity of qualified APNs in the Republic are not prioritised in the Republic’s healthcare system?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) Training of specialist nurses, as referred to as ANPs in the question here above, has always been a priority for the national and provincial departments of health. Accordingly 11 118 Clinical ANPs have been trained between 2017 and 2021. In addition all public colleges have prioritised ANP as part of new programmes which commenced in January 2020. Accordingly with finalisation of accreditation processes by the Council of Higher Education ( CHE) it is anticipated that public nursing colleges will continue to produce ANPs.

In terms of the statement “attempt to address the Republic’s health care system which continues to struggle with a shortage of doctors” it is to be noted that doctors and nurses, including specialist nurses, have different scopes of practice and can thus not replace each other.

(b) All posts for health professionals including those that utilize the capacity of qualified APNs in the Republic’s healthcare system are prioritised to ensure that the required health skills mix is provided in all the levels of care.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3205

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

(1)How does his department intend to bridge the knowledge skills gap that is due to the fact that some of the drugs that are used in government hospitals for the management of haematology and oncology are between 20 and 30 years old and that, due to the use of the outdated drugs, specialist doctors who are training in government hospitals are not exposed to modern medicine practices, resulting in the doctors turning to the private sector in order to be exposed to training with access to adequate therapeutic options; (2) with approximately 70% of the Republic using the public health care system, what budget is available to ensure that modern treatment options are updated to the benefit of the people of the Republic?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The National Department of Health (NDoH) is committed to improving the health status of all South Africans. The ministerially appointed National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) consider medications for inclusion on the Essential Medicine List (EML) based on priority conditions within the country, taking into consideration the clinical need, evidence of efficacy, quality, safety, affordability and implications for practice.

The review of medicines for inclusion on the EML and use in the public sector is a dynamic process, with disorders/medicines being reviewed continuously based on factors including the changing clinical need, emerging clinical evidence, availability of new medicines, price of medicines. This has been demonstrated with the approval of newer agents on the EML such trastrastuzumab and bortezomib in the management of breast cancer and are both available in the public sector.

Although a number of the agents used in the field of haematology and oncology are 20 to 30 years old, these agents are established effective therapies considered standard of care for particular indications in these fields.

Cost-effectiveness, affordability and security of supply of these newer agents is often the reason why they are not considered for use in both the private and public sectors.

The private sector is also often limited by the price of these newer agents, and may only be able to use them in situations where medical schemes cover portions of the costs, with large co-payments are made by individuals out of pocket. The availability of generic and biosimilar agents will promote competition driving down the prices of these newer agents for consideration for widespread public health use.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate trained clinicians in the fields of medical oncology and clinical haematology are exposed to modern therapeutic options. Additionally, exposure to use of these agents is often gained through work in clinical trials and access programmes.

2. Treatment options that are currently provided in the South African public sector are based on available evidence as described above.

The current budget for medicines is approximately R 20 billion, with an additional budget allocation per province for more modern therapeutic options in the National Tertiary Services Grant.

MEDICINE BUDGET
R Thousands	Main Budget 2022/23
Provinces
Eastern Cape	2,067,531
Free State	1,020,160
Gauteng	5,117,929
Kwazulu-Natal	4,535,574
Limpopo	1,499,518
Mpumalanga	1,793,290
Northern Cape	415,010
North West	1,215,842
Western Cape	1,876,983
Total	19,541,837

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3154

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What number of (a) bursaries and (b) scholarships have been awarded for the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme in each of the past five financial years; (2) what is the (a) total number of students in the specified programme for 2022 and (b) breakdown of the specified members in each province; (3) what is the (a) total cost of the programme, (b) breakdown of the cost in each province, (c) total amount to be transferred and (d) breakdown of the amount in each province?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The following is the status of awarding of bursaries and scholarships for the (8) Provincial Departments of Health participating in the Nelson Mandela Fidela Castro Medical Collaboration Programme.

2017/2018 no bursaries and scholarships were awarded
2018/2019 no bursaries and scholarships were awarded
2019/2020 only Northwest awarded four (4) bursaries
2020/2021 no bursaries and scholarships were awarded
2021/2022 no bursaries and scholarships were awarded

2. (a)-(b) There is a total number of 702 students in the specified programme for 2022 also broken down in tables below:

Table 1 below indicates that a total of 103 students were integrated into the Universities in South Africa in July 2022.

Table1: Students integrated in 2022 into South African Universities

Province	UCT	UL	UP	SMU	WITS	WSU	Total
EC	1	0	0	0	2	5	8
FS	0	1	1	0	0	0	2
GP	5	0	4	1	6	1	17
KZN	3	3	1	2	1	3	13
LP	3	14	2	1	2	2	24
MP	4	2	6	2	5	5	24
NC	1	0	1	0	0	0	3
NW	3	3	1	2	1	3	13
SA	8	20	23	16	17	19	103

Table 2 below indicates that a total of 466 students were integrated into the Universities in South Africa in July 2021 and are currently completing their programme.

Table 2: Students integrated in 2021 and in Universities 2022

Province	SMU	SU	UCT	UFS	UKZN	UL	UP	Wits	WSU	Total
EC	2		1	3	3	1	2	8	5	25
FS	1		0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2
GP	12	5	5	12	20	1	10	52	6	123
KZN	3	3	2	2	7	3	4	13	7	44
LP	12	5	4	4	17	11	9	37	15	114
MP	7	4	3	11	6	3	10	22	6	72
NW	8	1	4	3	6	3	8	14	10	57
NC	5	2	2	7	1	3	5	4		29
SA	50	20	21	42	60	25	48	151	49	466

Table 3 below indicates that 94 students are repeating some modules in 2022 in South African Universities.

Table 3: Students repeating in 2022

Province	UCT	UL	UP	SMU	WITS	WSU	SU	UFS	UKZN	Total
EC	0	1	0	0	5	4	0	2	1	13
FS	0	0	1	2	1	1	1	3	0	9
GP	0	0	0	2	8	2	0	0	0	12
KZN	1	1	3	2	2	3	2	1	5	20
LP	0	1	2	2	6	0	0	2	0	13
MP	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
NC	1	0	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	6
NW	1	3	1	5	3	0	2	3	1	19
SA	3	6	12	13	25	10	6	12	7	94

Table 4 below indicates that 37 students are currently in Universities in Cuba Universities.

Number of students in Cuba in 2022

Province	Number
Eastern Cape	0
Free State	0
Gauteng	8
KwaZulu-Natal	8
Limpopo	5
Mpumalanga	5
Northern Cape	2
North West	9
Total	37

3. (a) Total cost of the Programme

Costs for Cuba

This is a Scholarship Programme which is jointly funded by both Governments. The fixed cost per student per year, depending on the Rand/Dollar Exchange Rate at the time of transfer, is reflected below:

Preparatory (one year) : $2000.00 per students
1st – 5th Year (per student) : $5000.00
Stipend (per student per year) : $2400.00
Additional costs include two return flight tickets during six years and additional flight ticket in case of death of immediate family member. The tickets cannot be costed as it also depends on the Rand/Dollar Exchange at the time.

The Expanded Training Programme (ETP) which is wholly funded by the South African Government is reflected in the table below:

Table: 5

Level	Tuition Fees	Meals and Accommodation	Ave. cost Med. Ins.	Stipend	TOTAL
Preparatory	$6000.00	$6022	$450	$2400.00	$14, 872.00
1st – 2nd Year	$12, 500	$6022	$500	$2400.00	$21, 422.00
3rd – 4th Year	$11, 500	$6022	$500	$2400.00	$20, 422.00
5th Year	$13, 500	$6022	$600	$2400.00	$22, 522.00

Costs for integration in the local Universities

Tuition fees charged by South African universities during the integration since inception until 2018 varied from one university to another. After the agreement was signed with local universities, the cost of integration per student has been standardised since July 2018 and adjusted according to annual Consumer Price Index. Students have to be in the clinical training platform for 18 months. This translates to three (3) semesters. Additional costs include transportation of the final year students to local universities which depends on the mode of transport and distance to the university.

July 2018 – June 2019 : R231 325.00 (R115 662.50 per semester).
July 2019 – June 2020 : R241 734.63 (R120 867.31 per semester).
July 2020 – June 2021 : R252 612.68 (R126 306.34 per semester).
July 2021 – June 2022 : R260 696.28 (R130 348.14 per semester).
July 2022 – June 2023 : R277 641.54 (R138 820.77 per semester).

(b)(c)(d) The information below indicates total cost by provincial breakdown, by number of students and amount to be transferred by each province to South African University for the specified period.

Eastern Cape Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
25	R3 450 967.01		8	R 2 208 618.88	R 5 659 585.89

Free State Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
1	R138 038,68		2	R552 154,72	R690 193,40

Gauteng Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
120	R 16 564 641,60		17	R 4 693 315,12	R 21 257 956,72

KwaZulu Natal Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
43	R5 935 663,24		13	R3 589 005,68	R9 524 668,92

Limpopo Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
112	R 15 460 332,16		24	R 6 625 856,64	R 22 086 188,80

Mpumalanga Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
68	R 9 386 630,24		24	R 6 625 856,64	R 16 012 486,88

Northern Cape Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
30	R4 141 160,40		3	828 232,08	R4 969 392,48

Northwest Department of Health

FOURTH COHORT - Third Semester- July to December 2022		FIFTH COHORT - First & Second Semester - July 2022 to Jun 2023
Total No of Students	Total Cost		Total No of Students	Total Cost	Grand Total to be transferred
57	R7 868 204,76		13	R3 589 005,68	R11 457 210,44

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3101

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the status quo of the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal currently; (2) (a) what was the cost of the specified project and (b) in what time frame was the project to be finalised; (3) (a) what total number of months has the contract gone over its time frame and (b) were any penalties imposed; (4) what is the reason that the hospital has not opened at this stage; (5) does the hospital have the (a) budget and staff structure and (b)(i) operational needs and (ii) budget to open its doors?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The hospital was completed on 9 March 2022 and is currently operational.

2. (a) The table below reflects the details in this regard:

Contract Name	Cost
Contract 1 : Earthworks	1 244 730,50
Contract 2 Pilling	24 451 211,82
Contract 3 Superstructure	3 172 362 000,79
Contract 3 VAT	475 854 300,12
Total	3 673 912 243,23

(b) The original completion date was the 05 October 2018.

(3) (a) 41 Months

(b) Yes there were penalties imposed.

(4) The hospital is operational since August 2021. The practical completion has been following a phased approach until the overall practical completion was reached on 9 March 2022.

(5) (a) Yes

(b) Yes, Operational needs and budget have been catered for

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3089

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal has taken up the offer made by the private health care groups to train more than 200 nurses to counter a threatening shortage of skills; if not, why not; if so, who are the private health care groups that have offered to train nurses in the specified province; (2) whether any of the other provincial health departments have collaborated with private health care groups in order to assist with the training of nurses; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) in which provinces has the partnership transpired and (b) what total number of nurses have been taken through the training courses?

Source
Link

Reply:

The KZN Department of Health is not aware of any offer made to the Province by the Private Health Care Groups to train more than 200 nurses to counter a threatening shortage of skills. Instead the Province have granted permission and support letters to Private colleges to place their students in public health establishment for them to achieve the clinical training component which cannot be provided by the private nursing schools.
None of the other provincial departments of health offer nurse training in collaboration with the private health care groups.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3090

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With regard to shooting incidents taking place within public health care facilities, (a) what is the procedure of taking a prisoner to a hospital for health care, (b) what are the responsibilities of the health care facilities assigned to the SA Police Service members while at the facility, (c) to whom do they report if they have to suddenly leave and (d) what are the strategic guidelines of the whole process from the prisoner leaving prison to the time he/she is returned after receiving health care; (2) what (a) total number of violent incidents have been recorded at each public health care facility in the past five years and (b) are the relevant details of each violent incident; (3) whether he will furnish Ms H Ismail with a list of facilities where the violent incidents have occurred; if not, why not; if so, on what date?

Source
Link

Reply:

(1) The following table reflects the details in this regard.

North West

(1)

(a) what is the procedure of taking a prisoner to a hospital for health care,

(b) what are the responsibilities of the health care facilities assigned to the SA Police Service members while at the facility

(c) to whom do they report if they have to suddenly leave

(d) what are the strategic guidelines of the whole process from the prisoner leaving prison to the time he/she is returned after receiving health care;

The prisoner warden / guard accompanies the patients in health facilities and stay with them through out until they leave the health facility.

SAPS / Correctional Services takes care of prisoners as outpatients and inpatients.
During consultation, they are being prioritized, as they do not follow the queue. When admitted they are under-guard by SAPS/Correctional Services
The Correctional Service department make prior arrangements with the hospital for the retrieval of files and immediate medical treatment at Casualty and out patients departments.

Operational Manager, doctor, nurses and security

Procedure lies with the department of Correctional Services. However, the responsible nurse from Correctional Services Facility will arrange a booking at the hospital in advance. The hospital will retrieve the prisoner’s file 2 days before the actual date of appointment.

Once in the facility, the prisoner will be processed while balancing the rights of the other patients and that of the prisoner. The prisoner remains under guard right through every step of care until the last working station which is pharmacy and exit the facility.

(2) The response is as follows:

(2)
Facility	what (a) total number of violent incidents have been recorded at each public health care facility in the past five years		and (b) are the relevant details of each violent incident;
Klerksdorp / Tshepong Hospital	6		03/02/2022 at 02:45, a mentally disturbed patient fought with the nurse and security officer at Casualty. 06/03/2022 at 02:20, a patient fought with the security at casualty and broke the window. 22/03/2022 at 11:40, a gang brought their friend with a gunshot wound, when the Doctors referred their friend to Tshepong they threw tantrums. 19/06/2022 at 01:00, two armed men gained access to the doctor’s quarters and robbed doctors. 15/08/2022 at 20:00, a gangster was shot and brought to Tshepong Hospital, other gang members followed him to the hospital to try and finish what they started. SAP had to be called for assistance. 13/08/2022, there was an attempt to abduct a female Doctor at the doctor’s quarters, guards fired four shots and the intruders ran away.
Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital	None
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital	5		House breaking with force entry Robbery at gun point Employees fight using a child Theft using force Gang fights
Potchefstroom Hospital	4		A psychiatric patient stabbed a nurse One patient was followed by others to finish him Another psychiatric patient attacked the security guard and a nurse A family who wanted to enter the hospital by force and slapped the security guard.
Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital	2022 – Two (02) 2021-2018 - None		2022 (01) – Intoxicated patient physically assaulted nursing staff in Casualty. 2022(02) – Staff member physically assaulted in Radiology Department due to person grievances not pertaining to work.
Witrand Hospital	0		None
Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital	0		None
Klerksdorp / Tshepong Hospital Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital Mafikeng Provincial Hospital Potchefstroom Hospital Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital Witrand Hospital Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital		The hospitals have electricity backup (Generator) which only covers clinical/patient areas, Load shedding affects areas that are not on backup as follows: Safety issues (break-ins, opportunistic theft, attacks, etc.) Communication breakdowns (non-availability of systems such PERSAL, BAS, Walker, emails, internet, etc), delay in capturing of invoices. Damage to equipment’s High costs incurred on fuel Water interruption due to the water pumps filling water slowly in the reservoirs

Northern Cape:

(1)

(a) what is the procedure of taking a prisoner to a hospital for health care,

(b) what are the responsibilities of the health care facilities assigned to the SA Police Service members while at the facility

(c) to whom do they report if they have to suddenly leave

(d) what are the strategic guidelines of the whole process from the prisoner leaving prison to the time he/she is returned after receiving health care;

The prisoner warden / guard accompanies the patients in health facilities and stay with them through out until they leave the health facility.

SAPS / Correctional Services takes care of prisoners as outpatients and inpatients.
During consultation, they are being prioritized, as they do not follow the queue. When admitted they are under-guard by SAPS/Correctional Services
The Correctional Service department make prior arrangements with the hospital for the retrieval of files and immediate medical treatment at Casualty and out patients departments.

Operational Manager, doctor, nurses and security

Procedure lies with the department of Correctional Services. However, the responsible nurse from Correctional Services Facility will arrange a booking at the hospital in advance. The hospital will retrieve the prisoner’s file 2 days before the actual date of appointment.

Once in the facility, the prisoner will be processed while balancing the rights of the other patients and that of the prisoner. The prisoner remains under guard right through every step of care until the last working station which is pharmacy and exit the facility.

(2)

(2)
Facility	what (a) total number of violent incidents have been recorded at each public health care facility in the past five years	and (b) are the relevant details of each violent incident;
Windsorton Clinic	1 – 2018	Nurse assaulted by psychiatric patient (outpatient) – waiting too long to receive medication.
RMSH A&E	5 – 2018 6 – 2019 5 – 2020 3 - 2021	Patient assaulted nurse (shocked death of family member and way nurse relayed message) Drunk patient Psychiatric patient attack security trying to steal food. Triage waiting period (violence patient) Mental patient damaged drs vehicle (stone thrown windscreen). Patient threatened guards with knife. Dr threatened by family (child died) to shoot him. Aggressive patients A&E (swearing staff) Patient arrested for rape treated at hospital threatened staff verbally. 72-hour observation attacked guard (clothes ripped). Two Fleet employees assaulted one another. Patient threatened staff (gun in car not confirmed) – casualty. Professional Hitmen shot patient recovering in ward (gang related). Gun threat, Mental patient (arrested with unlicensed firearm). Buck horn taken off patient entering casualty to receive treatment. 4 x gun-shot wound victims treated (gang-related). Staff threatened not to work unless security increased. 72-hour ward – one patient attacked another using food-tray. Khoocs – foreigner verbal threat to shoot. Racial tension patients waiting. Knife found in sleeve of patient being treated (who came in unconscious in ambulance).
Springbok (Dr Van Niekerk) Hospital	1 – 2018 1 - 2021	Psychiatric patient attacked guard who caught him stealing food out of kitchen. Patient under alcohol influence assaulted staff.
Prof ZK Matthews Hospital, Barkly	1 – 2018 1 – 2019	Mental patient broke doors. Staff striking at facility – burn tyres and blocked entrance.
Hopetown Clinic	1 – 2018	Nurse assaulted patient coming for treatment (long waiting time for assistance)
Kuruman Hospital	1 – 2018 3 - 2020	Union disruptions Kidnapping patient – saps caught (CAS215/09/2020) Guard stabbed with knife by patient trying to enter. Guard assaulted and attacked with knife stopping gangs entering.
MaDoyl Clinic	1- 2018 1 – 2020	NGOs contracting Health Care Workers (HCW) – threaten to close clinics (absorption into Health) Alleged knife threat by staff (to close clinic) – victimization concerns COVID.
EMS Control Room, Kimberley	1 – 2018	Assault (domestic dispute at work)
Colesburg Nursing home	1 – 20108 1 – 2019	Attach nurse in flat (domestic). Drunk visitors refused entry – vulgar language security.
Bill Pichard Hospital, Prieska	2 – 2019	Rape victim threatened rapist family at hospital. Gang violence following victim to hospital.
Harmony Home	2 – 2019	Assault patient by guard (patient stole guard’s money – mental patient). Mental patient attacked guard and ripped uniform.
Ritchie Clinic	1 – 2019	Social worker / nutritionist threatened after removal malnutrition children from mother
De Aar Hospital	1 – 2019 1 – 2020	Foreign nationals entered with knives – threat to nurses (x-ray equipment not working). Gang-related violence. Assault by mental patient.
Ipeleng Clinic	1 – 2019	EPWP workers strike – burn tyres and blocked entrance to facility.
Hopetown Clinic	1 – 2019	Mental patient fight with staff (waiting for medication issue).
Pampierstad Nursing home	1 – 2019	3 males jumped fence and attacked staff residing to steal.
City Clinic	1 – 2019	Municipal strike action – threats.
Loeriesfontein Clinic	1 – 2019	Nurse assaulted by boyfriend at clinic.
WESH (Mental B3)	2 -2019	Mental patient alleged assaulted security guard (stole money). Patient attacked guard with hair clipper.
Victoria West Hospital	1 – 2020 1 – 2021	Gang violence hospital (threat at hospital when gang arrived whilst person was receiving treatment). Malicious damage of front door – psychiatric patient.
Oliphantshoek CHC	1 – 2020	Assault and public violence (drunk visitors)
New Mental Health Hospital	3 – 2020 1 - 2021	Patient assaulted guard with metal coffee mug. Patient assaulted guard (needed medical attention and clothes ripped). Attempted escape of mental patient who tried to flee whilst being transported in ambulance to RMSH (overpowering staff). Guard assaulted by 4 unknown suspects fled theft power-station copper.
Connie Vorster Hospital, Hartswater	1 – 2020	Mental patient (broke window) COVID protest
LAdams Clinic	1 – 2020	Patients threaten staff.
Beaconsfield Clinic	1 – 2021	OPD Patient threaten staff.
EMS Kuruman	1 – 2021	Guard overpowered by 5 unknown suspects (hostage situation) theft. CAS 799/03/2021
Galeshewe Day Hospital	1 – 2021 1 - 2022	Guard attacked with sharp object (eye injury). Assault – maternity patient slapped nurse.
Dr Winston Torres Clinic	1 – 2021	Patient slapped guard refusing entry (skipped queue).
Jan Kempdorp Hospital	1 – 2021	Emotional trauma patient damaged property – broke door after death of family.
Carnarvon CHC	1 – 2022	Assault – 4 drunk people tried to enter facility and assaulted security.
Pampierstad CHC	1 – 2022	Mental patient threaten staff (OPD).
Dr Harry Surtie Hospital, Upington	1 – 2022	Aggressive visitor with patient under influence of alcohol removed by SAPS.
Valspan Clinic	1 – 2022	OPD mental patient threaten staff.

Free State

(1)

(a) what is the procedure of taking a prisoner to a hospital for health care,

(b) what are the responsibilities of the health care facilities assigned to the SA Police Service members while at the facility

(c) to whom do they report if they have to suddenly leave

(d) what are the strategic guidelines of the whole process from the prisoner leaving prison to the time he/she is returned after receiving health care;

The prisoner warden / guard accompanies the patients in health facilities and stay with them through out until they leave the health facility.

SAPS or Correctional Services takes full responsibility for the prisoners admitted and for outpatients at health facilities.
Prisoners are prioritized at health facilities and don’t follow the queue. Prisoners when they

are admitted are under SAPS and Correctional Services watch.

The Correctional Service department make arrangements with the facilities and responsible for opening for files and collection of medical treatment.

Doctor, Operational Manager, nurses and Security Officers on duty.

Procedure lies with the department of Correctional Services. However, the responsible nurse from Correctional Services Facility will arrange a booking at the hospital in advance. The hospital will retrieve the prisoner’s file 2 days before the actual date of appointment.

Once in the facility, the prisoner will be processed while balancing the rights of the other patients and that of the prisoner. The prisoner remains under guard right through every step of care until the last working station which is pharmacy and exit the facility.

(2)

(2)
Facility	what (a) total number of violent incidents have been recorded at each public health care facility in the past five years		and (b) are the relevant details of each violent incident;
Universitas Academic Hospital	4		Porter fought with the messenger. The cleaner fought with the messenger. ATM bombed and Security Officers were pointed with firearms. Break in and 31 computers stolen
Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital	3		Security Supervisor assaulted by community member. Female Security Officer assaulted by psychiatric patient Male Security Officer assaulted by psychiatric patient.
National District Hospital	2		Psychiatric patients fought with Security Officers and nurses in two different incidences.
Bongani District Hospital	0		None
Boitumelo District Hospital	1		Security Officer fought with the patient where Security Officer broke his leg.
Botshabelo District Hospital	0		None
Dr JS Moroka Hospital	0		None
Fezi Ngubentombi District Hospital	1	Intoxicated patient assaulted Security Officer and the nurse.
Sinorita Nhlabathi District Hospital	0	None
Free State Psychiatric Complex	Several	Patients fighting each other
Parys District Hospital	0	None
Tokollo District Hospital	0	None
Mafube District Hospital	0	None
Winburg District Hospital	1	Two nurses fought each other
Katleho District Hospital	0	Messenger fought with cleaner
Thusanong District Hospital	0	None
Mohua District Hospital	0	None
Nala District Hospital	0	None
Elizabeth Ross District Hospital	1	Patient fought with nurses and Security Officers
Phekolong Nketoane District Hospital	1	Gangsters fought with Security Officers at the gate because they wanted to force to see the patient.
Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital	1	Visitors fought with nurses and Security Officers claiming they are from far and wanted to see their patient.
Diamant District Hospital	0	None
Stoffel Coetzee District Hospital	0	None
Embekweni District Hospital	0	None
Dihlabeng District Hospital	0	None
Thebe Phumelela District Hospital	0	None
Winburg District Hospital	0	None

Eastern Cape

(1)

(a) The inmate is accompanied and guarded by the warden/ guard team into the health facility, through the entire visit to the facility.

The hospital have a fast line leeway for inmates visiting the hospital, especially when hospital booking system have been followed to the various clinics of the hospital

(b) The inmates consult on a booked appointment schedule; they receive priority consultation to avoid subjecting them in long queue in health facilities. This is in line with hospital standard operating procedures.

(c) If there is any unexpected eventuality in a form of incident, it is reported, firstly to the hospital CEO, Head of clinical Governance to the doctors, nursing service manager staff and the security officers.

(d) The Correctional Services officials bear responsible for safeguarding procedure of the inmates upon egress point of the health facility up until the exit point and safe return to the correctional facility. In accordance to the Correctional Services Act.

(2)

(2)
Facility	what (a) total number of violent incidents have been recorded at each public health care facility in the past five years	and (b) are the relevant details of each violent incident;
Fort England Psychiatric Hospital (Sarah Baartman District)	1	10/06/2019 - One in-Patient stabbed another in-patient with a sharpened thick piece of wood on the forehead and left eye
Bisho Hospital (Buffalo City Metro)	1	19/01/2019- Assault of a security officer by a patient
Nomangesi Jayiya Clinic (Nelson Mandela Bay Health District)	1	13/01/2022- Security guards were attacked/ assaulted by 4 thugs.
Nelson Mandela Metro Health District	38	EMS personnel have been victims of crime in the Gqeberha Northern areas. there has been no fatalities; 2019- 26 attacks 2020- 6 attacks 2021- 5 attacks 2022- 1 attack

Information from other remaining provinces is still being collated and will be furnished as soon as it is received.

END.

13 October 2022 - NW3502

Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) total amount does his department owe to the (i) Walter Sisulu Local Municipality and (ii) Senqu Local Municipality and (b) is the age analysis of the monies owed in each case; (2) what (a) are the specific details of the buildings in respect of which his department owes the specified municipalities and (b) is the use of each specified building; (3) whether his department has any plans to address the debts; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the details of his department’s plan and (b) is the time frame in which the debts will be settled?

Source
Link

Reply:

The response is as follows, according to the Eastern Cape Province Provincial Department of Health

QUESTIONS	RESPONSES
1. What (a) total amount does his department owe to the (i) Walter Sisulu Local Municipality and (ii) Senqu Local Municipality and (b) is the age analysis of the monies owed in each case;	a) (i) Walter Sisulu Municipality - R6 147 567 (b) Age analysis:- Current R 205 831 30 Days R 1 739 086 60 Days R 168 002 90 Days R 533 722 120 + Days R 3 500 926 Amount under dispute R2 200 400 (not included above) a) (ii) Senqu Municipality - R3 956 314 b) Age analysis:- Current R 695 501 30 Days R 589 036 60 Days R 560 980 90 Days R 483 178 120 + Days R1 627 619
2. What (a) are the specific details of the buildings in respect of which his department owes the specified municipalities and (b) is the use of each specified building;	2. (a and b) Walter Sisulu Municipality Hospitals Aliwal North Hospital - Aliwal North Burgersdorp Hospital - Burgersdorp Jamestown Hospital - Jamestown Steynsburg Hospital - Steynsburg St Francis Hospital - Aliwal North Clinics Khayamandi Clinic - Steynsburg Venterstad Clinic - Venterstad Maletswai Clinic - Aliwal North Poly Clinic - Aliwal North Nurses Home Venterstad Clinic Nurses Home - Venterstad Under dispute Eureka Clinic - Burgersdorp Oviston Satellite Clinic - Oviston Acc 10 - Dept. of Health Hilton Clinic - Aliwal North Old Prison - Burgersdorp Town Clinic 2. (a and b) Senqu Municipality Hospitals Cloete Joubert Hospital Empilisweni Hospital Lady Grey Hospital
3. Whether his department has any plans to address the debts; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the details of his department’s plan and (b) is the time frame in which the debts will be settled?	3. (a) Funding recently received – mid-September 2022. Amount authorised 05/10/2022 and awaiting disbursement as indicated below: - Walter Sisulu Municipality - R6 142 115 Senqu Municipality - R2 666 843 3.(b) Remaining amounts as follows are in the process of being paid: Walter Sisulu Municipality- R5 542 Senqu Municipality – R1 289 47

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2793

McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Health

What resources are available within his department to protect whistle blowers?

Source
Link

Reply:

No, there is no dedicated resources allocated to Whistle-blowers protection programme in the Department of Health.

Nevertheless, the Department rely on the measures that are in place for the protection of whistle blowers in government at large, the first being based on the existing measures dependent on the Department’s relationship with the South African Police Services (SAPS).

Secondly, the department in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has approved concept by UNODC to develop and establish a whistle blowing protection and risk assessment and mitigation in the procurement system within the health sector which is due to be launched soon, details will be provided upon finalisation of the concepts by the department of Health.

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2879

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With reference to investigations into deaths in all state mortuaries, in what total number of the deaths (a) in the (i) 2018-19, (ii) 2019-20, (iii) 2020-21 and (iv) 2021-22 financial years and (b) from 1 April 2022 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, the specified death occurred due to (aa) firearms, (bb) blunt objects and (cc) knives and/or other sharp objects; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Source
Link

Reply:

The table indicates total number of deaths by Province

Province	(a)((i) 2018/19	(a)((ii) 2019/20	(a)((iii) 2021/22	(a)((iv) 2022/23	(a)01 April 2023 to date
Eastern Cape	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Free State	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Gauteng	17940	18324	16243	20221	9392
KwaZulu- Natal	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Limpopo	4658	5008	4406	5416	2439
Mpumalanga	4892	4949	4994	5098	2246
Northern Cape	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Northwest	1256	1225	1194	1423 to date
Western Cape	5666	5824	5362	5965	2416

Province	(aa) Motor vehicle	(bb) drownings
Eastern Cape	outstanding	outstanding
Free State	outstanding	outstanding
Gauteng	602	102
KwaZulu- Natal	outstanding	outstanding
Limpopo	701	45
Mpumalanga	10108	1201
Northern Cape	outstanding	outstanding
Northwest	2045	318
Western Cape	917

2. No.

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2862

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What are the reasons that medical students who were sent by his department to study in Russia are no longer receiving stipends, (b) on what date is it envisaged that the crisis will be resolved and (c) who has been held responsible for the negligence?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Provincial Departments of Health have provided the following information regarding the payment status of South African Citizen students who pursuing medical studies in Russia:

Name Provinces	Student sent to Russia Yes/No	Stipends being paid Yes/No	When will the crisis be solved	Who has been held accountable
Eastern Cape	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Free State	Yes	All active students in Russia are receiving stipends as authorization was given for the whole financial year 2022/23.	No crisis.	Not applicable
Gauteng	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
KwaZulu-Natal	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Limpopo	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Mpumalanga	Yes 229	32 of the 229 students not paid. Reason for delayed payments is due to the fact that these students have technical glitches with their banking details and they are already in Russia and the Province is exploring ways to process payments	Students were advised to open Digital banking accounts through e.g. Tymes bank in order to be able to send the bank confirmation letter for payment through BAS(Basic Accounting System). Once bank confirmations are received, the stipends will be paid accordingly for the 32 students.	No one as the challenge was not caused by employees.
Northern Cape	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
North West	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Western Cape	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2861

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) total number (i) of adverse effects caused by COVID-19 vaccines have been reported to the Government, (ii) of those have been investigated and (iii) have been found to be related to the specified vaccine and (b) has been the response of Government in instances where adverse effects caused by COVID-19 vaccines have been reported?

Source
Link

Reply:

An adverse event (not effect) following immunisation (AEFI) is any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunisation and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. The adverse event may be any unfavourable or unintended physical sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease.

i) From 17 May 2021 to the 8 August 2022 a total number of 6561 AEFIs (total minor and severe) following the use of either the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or J&J (COVID-19 vaccine Janssen) were reported to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

ii) Only severe and serious AEFIs are investigated. A total of 2771 clinical investigations are either concluded or under way.

iii) Following investigation, the case files are sent to the National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee (NISEC) for assessment. For assessments completed up to the 2 September 2022:

81 AEFIs have been linked to the use of a COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer 52 and J&J 29)
these events include immunisation stress related reactions (fear of vaccination) and vaccine product related reaction or were related to the immunisation programme

The causality assessment outcomes are shared with the provincial health departments to provide feedback to the vaccine injured parties, regardless of the outcome.

The purpose of causality assessment is to ensure that high levels of vaccine confidence are maintained in the immunisation programme, and it is therefore essential to identify if an AEFI was causally linked to the use of the vaccine or whether the AEFI was coincidental to vaccination.

Accurate communication about AEFI is essential to prevent misinformation circulating in the community.

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2860

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What total number of COVID-19 vaccines (a) have (i) been discarded and (ii) had their expiration date extended and/or adjusted further and (b) is the Republic still in the process of purchasing?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) (i) No doses that were stored at the vaccine distributors have expired.

(ii) There have been three shelf-life extensions of the Pfizer Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. The shelf-life extensions were effective on the following dates, and the stock on hand at the vaccine distributors at the time of the extension is reflected below:

1 October 2021 - three-month shelf-life extension. Stock on hand at the time of extension = 9,145,590 doses.
14 December 2021 - three-month shelf-life extension. Stock on hand at the time of extension = 9,209,880 doses.
12 May 2022 - three-month shelf-life extension. Stock on hand at the time of extension = 10,449,150 doses.

(b) The Republic is not in the process of purchasing more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2858

Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether payment was made for the 12 Community Healthcare Workers of Maredi and Madras who were put onto the Persal System and made to sign contracts for screening COVID-19; if not, (2) whether he has found that his department inadvertently misled the Public Protector when they committed to correcting the specified issue; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. Payment was made to 24 Community Health Workers in Mariti (16) and Madras (8).

2. In terms of the information received from Mpumalanga Department of Health, all Community Health Workers had received their stipend by the end of August 2022.

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2831

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

With reference to his reply to question 271 on 17 March 2022 in which he gave a breakdown of the number of nurse vacancies in the provinces with KwaZulu-Natal having the highest number of vacant posts for nurses, (a) what progress has been made to address the vacancies, (b)(i) how was the budget adjusted to employ more nurses in the provinces and (ii) what is the breakdown of how funds were shifted to provide for the budget adjustment and (c) what (i) is the total number of vacancies still vacant in each of the provinces respectively and (ii) measures were put in place to further decrease the numbers?

Source
Link

Reply:

According to the information received from the Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health-

a) There has been no further allocation towards compensation of employees (COE) for us to address actual vacancies of nurses in the Province, However, to ensure that there are minimal disruption of services, the Provincial Department has introduced several interventions to address the shortage of health workers in health facilities and this amongst others includes –

Increased hours of work for health workers those that are working part-time to full time and approved overtime for permanent serving staff,
Continues to engage with the Provincial Treasury for approval to fill posts in the current financial year
Appointed 671 community service professional nurses to underserved and rural areas
Redistribution of personnel to areas where the vacancy rate is higher to balance the equation, .

(b) (i) There were no budget adjustment instead the Department is experiencing further budget cuts.

(ii) As mentioned above on b(i), no budget adjustments were made.

(c) (i) The total number of nurses vacancies in KwaZulu-Natal is currently 6 435 details as per the table below:

SPECIFIED RANKS	TOTAL
Nursing Assistants	1011
Professional Nurses	3086
Staff Nurses	2338
Grand Total	6435

(ii) Measures put in place by the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health .

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2792

McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether he has received any communication from the Office of the Premier of Gauteng, Mr D Makhura, pertaining to the case of Babita Deokoran which is under investigation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has been informed of any disciplinary procedure pertaining to Babita Deokaran's investigation case; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Minister received a briefing from the MEC of Health in Gauteng on issue pertaining Babita Deokoran, Thembisa Hospital and precautionary suspension of two senior officials related to the matter.

2. The Minister will await the outcome of the disciplinary process from the Provincial department

END.

28 September 2022 - NW2747

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, with regard to South African medical students studying outside the Republic, he will furnish Ms H Ismail with details of what total number of such students (a) are currently studying and/or (b) have completed their studies outside of the Republic; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details, including the (i) gender of the specified students and (ii) countries in which they studied in each case; (2) (a) what total number of South African medical students who have studied outside the Republic have been allocated to serve their community service duties in the past seven years and (b) to which hospitals have they been allocated to complete their community service; (3) what (a) total number of community service positions are reserved for female and male doctors and (b) are the requirements for each job reservation for female and male doctors

Source
Link

Reply:

1. (a) The only data available records for South African medical students studying outside the Republic is limited to those students studying under government to government agreements

(b) The completed and eligible data of recorded South African medical students studying outside the Republic are provided in 2 below (i) with gender per specified students .

(2) The data as recorded in the Internship and Community Service Program (ICSP) online System, is available from 2018 and the data can therefore be provided for the past five (5) years:

a) total number of South African medical students who have studied outside the Republic have been allocated to serve their community service duties in the past five (5) years is 323

Year	Citizen	Gender	Total
2018		Male	1
	SA	Female	39
		Male	20
	Grand Total		60

	Citizen	Gender	Total
	SA	Female	35
Year		Male	26
2019	Grand Total		61

	Citizenship	Gender	Total
	SA	Female	4
		Male	16
	Grand Total		20
Year
2020	Citizenship	Gender	Total
	SA	Female	25
		Male	28
	Grand Total		53
Year
2021	Citizenship	Gender	Total
	SA	Female	62
		Male	47
	Grand Total		109

b) The following table reflects the details in this regard.

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
ec Humansdorp Hospital	2								2		4
ec Khotsong TB Hospital	2										2
ec Laetitia Bam CHC		1							1		2
ec Madwaleni Hospital	1								1		2
ec Mhlakulo CHC	1										1
ec Mjanyana Hospital		1									1
ec Sipetu Hospital	1										1
ec Victoria Hospital		2					1				3
fs Boitumelo Hospital	1										1
fs Diamond (Diamant) Hospital		1	1	1							3
fs Dr JS Moroka Hospital		1				1					2
fs Elizabeth Ross Hospital		1			1						2
fs Embekweni Hospital		1	1	1							3
fs Fezi Ngumbentombi Hospital		1									1
fs Itemoheng Hospital		1									1
fs Katleho Hospital	1										1
fs PAX CHC	1										1
fs Phuthuloha Hospital		1									1
fs Senorita Ntlabathi Hospital		1									1
fs Winburg Hospital	1										1
gp Bronkhorstspruit Hospital		1									1
gp Charlotte Maxeke Hospital	2	1	1								4
gp Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital		1				1				1	3
gp City of Johannesburg District Office	2			1							3
gp Edenvale Hospital	1								1		2

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
gp Far East Rand Hospital		1									1
gp Helen Joseph Hospital	2					1					3
gp Mamelodi Hospital	1										1
gp Sebokeng Hospital	1								1		2
gp Sedibeng District Office	2	1									3
gp South Rand Hospital	1	1									2
gp Tembisa Hospital	1							1			2
gp West Rand District Office		1									1
kz Church of Scotland Hospital		1									1
kz East/Boom CHC	1		1	1		1					4
kz Hlabisa Hospital	1										1
kz Hlengisizwe CHC	1										1
kz Inanda C CHC		1		1							2
kz Ladysmith Hospital	1										1
kz Madadeni Hospital	1	1		1	1						4
kz Ndwedwe CHC	1			1		1					3
kz Phoenix CHC		2		1							3
kz Pholela CHC		1			1		1				3
kz Pomeroy CHC	1										1
kz St Chads CHC	1										1
kz St Mary's Hospital (Mariannhill)	1		2								3
lp Dr CN Phatudi Hospital		1		1							2
lp Mankweng Hospital	2	2									4
lp Pietersburg Hospital	2										2
lp Tshilidzini Hospital	2										2

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
mp Bethal Hospital	1										1
mp Elsie Ballot Hospital	1	2									3
mp Evander Hospital	2	1	1				6	1		1	12
mp Lydenburg Hospital		1									1
mp Matikwana Hospital		1									1
mp Middelburg Hospital		1									1
mp Piet Retief Hospital	2							2			4
mp Rob Ferreira Hospital		1								1	2
mp Shongwe Hospital		1									1
mp Standerton Hospital	2						2	1	1		6
mp Tonga Hospital	2								1		3
mp Witbank Hospital	1	1									2
nc Dr Harry Surtie Hospital		1									1
nc Port Nolloth CHC		1									1
nc Postmasburg Hospital	1										1
nw Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital	1						1	1		1	4
nw Kgetlengrivier sub-District Office	1										1
nw Klerksdorp-Tshepong Tertiary Hospital		1								1	2
nw Koster Hospital		1									1
nw Moses Kotane Hospital	1										1
nw Moses Kotane sub-District Office	1										1
nw Potchefstroom Hospital	1			1							2
nw Rustenburg sub-District Office	1	1						1	1		4
wc Alexandra Hospital	1										1
wc Citrusdal Hospital		1									1

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
wc Eerste River Hospital		1									1
wc False Bay Hospital	1										1
wc George Hospital	1										1
wc Helderberg Hospital	2								1		3
wc Mowbray Maternity Hospital	1		1				1				3
wc Paarl Hospital		2							2		4
wc SAMHS 2 Military Hospital	1										1
wc Stellenbosch Hospital		1									1
wc Swartland Hospital		1									1
wc Victoria Hospital	1										1
wc Worcester CDC	1										1
wc Worcester Hospital	1										1
nw Witrand Psychiatric Hospital			2								2
kz Newtown A CHC				1					1		2
nw Ganyesa Hospital				1			1				2
kz St Margaret's TB MDR Hospital			1								1
kz Mahatma Gandhi Hospital				1							1
lp Philadelphia Hospital				1				1			2
kz St Andrew's Hospital				1							1
kz SAMHS AFB Durban Military Medical Clinic			1								1
nw Itsoseng CHC			1								1
fs Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Hospital			1				1	1			3
nc Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital			1						1	1	3
fs SAMHS Bloemfontein Military Medical Clinic			1								1
gp Dr George Mukhari Hospital			1								1

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
kz King Dinuzulu Hospital				1							1
nc Northern Cape Province Placeholder			1	1							2
nw Tigane CHC			1								1
fs Mangaung District Office			1								1
nw Ganyesa CHC			1								1
kz Tongaat CHC			1		1	1					3
kz St Apollinaris Hospital			1			1					2
wc Caledon Hospital			1								1
fs Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office			1	1							2
wc Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital			1								1
gp Tambo Memorial Hospital				1							1
kz Northdale Hospital				1							1
kz KwaZulu Natal Province Placeholder				3							3
nc SAMHS Midlands Sickbay				1							1
gp Ekurhuleni District Office				1			1				2
mp Carolina Hospital				1					1		2
nw Madibeng sub-District Office				1							1
kz Clairwood Hospital				1							1
fs Stoffel Coetzee Hospital				1							1
kz General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Hospital				1					1		2
kz Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital				1			1		2		4
kz Wentworth Hospital				1							1
kz Vryheid Hospital						1					1
kz Itshelejuba Hospital						1					1
fs Tokollo Hospital						1			1	1	3

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
nw SAMHS Potchefstroom Military Base Clinic						1					1
kz Appelsbosch Hospital						1			1		2
gp Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital						1					1
nw Mahikeng Provincial Hospital						1		1			2
lp Kgapane Hospital						1			1		2
ec Amathole District Office						1					1
kz Catherine Booth Hospital							1				1
ec Canzibe Hospital							1				1
ec Tayler Bequest Hospital (Matatiele)							1				1
kz Osindisweni Hospital							1				1
kz Dundee Hospital							1				1
gp City of Tshwane District Office							2		1		3
nc Springbok (Dr Van Niekerk) Hospital							1			1	2
nc SAMHS Lohatla Military Base Hospital							1				1
mp Ermelo Hospital							1	2			3
nc SAMHS Upington Sickbay							1				1
kz Umphumulo Hospital							1	1			2
kz Montebello Hospital							1				1
mp Barberton Hospital								1	1	1	3
mp Embhuleni Hospital								1		1	2
nw SAMHS Molopo Sickbay								1			1
ec Willowmore Hospital								1			1
ec St Patrick's Hospital								1			1
gp Leratong Hospital								1			1
kz Untunjambili Hospital								1			1

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
nw Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital							1				1
mp Ehlanzeni District Office							1				1
fs Xhariep District Office							1	2			3
mp Matibidi Hospital							1				1
nw Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital							1				1
lp Letaba Hospital							1				1
kz uMgungundlovu District Office							1				1
kz GJ Crooke's Hospital							1				1
kz Harry Gwala District Office								1			1
kz Impilwenhle Clinic								1			1
fs Lejweleputswa District Office								1			1
nc SAMHS Kimberley Sickbay								1			1
nw Ventersdorp Sub-District Office								1			1
lp SAMHS Ba-Phalaborwa Sickbay								1			1
gp Steve Biko Academic Hospital								1			1
ec Wilhelm Stahl (Middelburg) Hospital									1		1
ec Tower Hospital									1		1
fs SAMHS Kroonstad Sickbay									1		1
fs Botshabelo Hospital									1		1
kz Benedictine Hospital									1		1
ec St Elizabeth's Hospital									2		2
lp Seshego Hospital									1		1
ec Empilweni Gompo CHC									1		1
gp Carletonville Hospital									1		1
nc John Taolo Gaetsewe District Office									1		1

Medical Community Service Studied Abroad Allocations past 5 years per facility
Facility names	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	Grand Total
	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male
wc Elsies River CHC									1		1
wc Kraaifontein CHC									1		1
wc Khayelitsha (Site B) CHC									1		1
kz Rietvlei Hospital									1		1
wc Beaufort West Hospital									1		1
mp KwaMhlanga Hospital									1		1
ec Dora Nginza Hospital									1		1
ec Empilisweni Hospital									1		1
mp Themba Hospital									1		1
lp Malamulele Hospital										1	1
wc Breede Valley sub-District Office										1	1
lp Helene Franz Hospital										1	1
ec Bambisana Hospital										1	1
kz Nkandla Hospital										1	1
lp Siloam Hospital										1	1
ec Settlers Hospital										1	1
kz eThekwini District Office										1	1
kz Christ the King Hospital										1	1
gp Jubilee Hospital										1	1
gp Pholosong Hospital										1	1
Grand Total	67	48	26	32	4	16	37	29	43	21	323

(3) (a) The number of community service positions reserved for female and male doctors are 1 897;

(b) requirements for each job is complying with registration requirements to register as a community service doctor as set by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

END.

27 September 2022 - NW2882

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With reference to investigations into deaths in all state mortuaries, in what total number of the deaths (a) in the (i) 2018-19, (ii) 2019-20, (iii) 2020-21 and (iv) 2021-22 financial years and (b) from 1 April 2022 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, the specified death occurred due to (aa) motor vehicles and (bb) drownings; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The table indicates total number of deaths by Province

Province	(a)((i) 2018/19	(a)((ii) 2019/20	(a)((iii) 2021/22	(a)((iv) 2022/23	(a)01 April 2023 to date
Eastern Cape	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Free State	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Gauteng	17940	18324	16243	20221	9392
KwaZulu- Natal	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Limpopo	4658	5008	4406	5416	2439
Mpumalanga	4892	4949	4994	5098	2246
Northern Cape	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding	outstanding
Northwest	1256	1225	1194	1423 to date
Western Cape	5666	5824	5362	5965	2416

Province	(aa) Motor vehicle	(bb) drownings
Eastern Cape	outstanding	outstanding
Free State	outstanding	outstanding
Gauteng	602	102
KwaZulu- Natal	outstanding	outstanding
Limpopo	701	45
Mpumalanga	10108	1201
Northern Cape	outstanding	outstanding
Northwest	2045	318
Western Cape	5 917	804

2. No. I will not make a statement on this matter.

END.

16 September 2022 - NW2689

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Health

With reference to the reported exodus of highly trained specialists leaving the Livingstone Tertiary Hospital due to the dire state of the hospital, (a) what is the detailed breakdown of (i) the number of specialists who have left the hospital since 1 January 2022 and (ii) the number of vacancies currently exist within the hospital (aa) in total and (bb) in each department and (b) what steps have been taken by his department to address the shortage of specialists and staff at the hospital?

Source
Link

Reply:

The National Department of Health is still working with the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health to verify details in this regard. The full breakdown will be provided to the Honourable Member as soon as the information is received from the Province.

END.

16 September 2022 - NW3039

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Health

What measures have been put in place to ensure that clinics and healthcare facilities have sufficient stock of contraceptives, in order to combat the pandemic of teenage pregnancies?

Source
Link

Reply:

It is the Departments of Health’s policy to ensure that women have uninterrupted access to quality safe contraceptives that allow them to choose which one best suit their personal circumstances.

The National Department of Health (NDOH) manages contracts for approximately 1 200 line items including contraceptives. Thus, in ensuring that sufficient stock is available at facilities, a number of interventions have been implemented. These interventions are informed by the cause of the supply challenge.

Where the supply constraint is due to operational matters, re is a delay e.g. machine breakdown, labour unrest, theft, post importation testing, etc., the NDOH would source products from alternative local suppliers with registered products using the quotation process.
Should the supply constraint result in a longer term supply challenge, such as regulatory matters including amendments to the dossier that requires approval from South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), including a change/addition of an active pharmaceutical ingredient source and/or manufacturing site, the transfer of ownership of dossiers which results in a change of marketing authorization, delays in the issuing of the permits for imported medicines, manufactured products requiring additional quality checks by SAHPRA, etc. and no alternative local suppliers with registered products are available; an application would be made to SAHPRA for the acquisition of unregistered medicines for human use in South Africa Act use in terms of Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
During the contracting for medicines, it is a special contractual condition that suppliers provide the NDoH with information related to their buffer stock holding, plans within the pipeline and data related to deliveries made to facilities. The DoH uses this information to manage supplier performance including the imposition of penalties where appropriate. Furthermore, the data is used for planning purposes including demand and supply planning.

Medicine availability is monitored using supplier and provincial level data and this allows visibility of stock availability and as such allows for risk mitigation by the National Department of Health.

END.

16 September 2022 - NW3045

Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Health

In light of the principles outlined in section 28(1)(c) of the Customary Initiation Act, Act 2 of 2021, what proactive action has been taken to ensure the availability of (a) ambulances, (b) proper nutrition and (c) basic health care services preceding the initiation season in December 2022, to prevent deaths of initiates prevalent in the Eastern Cape?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Eastern Cape province has the following plans in place in preparations for the initiation season in December 2022, in order to prevent deaths of initiates prevalent in the that province: ambulances, proper nutrition and basic health care services

As part of the Customary Male Initiation, the House of Traditional Leaders coordinates the department Seasonal Contingency Plan which is used to prepare for the initiation season. This plan is used to coordinate the establishment of District Monitoring and Response Teams to ensure coverage of the areas where initiation schools are set up. The teams cover service areas such as clinical essential services and Ambulance Services that are to be on standby to respond to emergency calls from the initiation schools. The department further has the District Initiation Forums and working Committees which are part of Pre-Initiation preparations. These forums conduct awareness campaigns in local schools and communities to as they prepare for start of the initiations season

a) As part of the preparations for the initiation season, all Emergency Medical Service (EMS) ambulances are put on standby in the event of any emergency from the school. The Emergency Communication Centre is accessible as a free service on the 112-emergency number and the appropriate response will then be activated depending on the nature of the incident/illness. Through the District Initiation Forums and Working Committees, EMS is informed about the number and sites of all initiation schools within the province. In the event of an incident, the closest ambulance available to the initiation school will be activated. Given the large number of initiation schools, the number of days for initiation ceremonies and the day-to-day EMS demands, it will not be practically possible to allocate an ambulance to each school, because ambulance services is a response service rather than a service delivered at a given facility only and as such the province will not be able to place an ambulance at all initiation schools.

b) The provincial Department of Health through Nutrition sub-directorate will conduct a one-day workshop to be attended by at least one person per initiation school prior to the start of the initiation. The focus of the workshop will be on but not limited to the following:

Screening for early identification of undernourished initiates
Request form for nutrition supplements from the local clinic or hospital
Provisioning of healthy, nutritious, and culturally acceptable foods including special diets e.g. diabetic diet
Food safety principles within the context of the initiation schools

Some of the key areas which are part of the Pre-Initiation Preparations is to educate the communities and community leaders about is the importance of good nutrition

c) As per the Act directive and standard operating procedure to ensure eligibility of initiates, all boys going for initiation are referred for health assessment in all the Health Facilities. Basic medical assessment is done on all candidates to exclude and treat any pre-existing medical condition before the initiate is given a clinical clearance certificate as a precautionary measure from the Department for the boy to go for initiation. All boys with pre-existing health conditions are not allowed to go for initiation until such time that the condition has been controlled and such candidate is cleared by the health professional. Where a boy is on a chronic treatment, he and the family, including the Traditional Surgeon and Traditional Nurse, are educated on the importance of ensuring the treatment is continued eve for the duration of the schooling as prescribed by the doctor. Continuous monitoring of such initiates is conducted by the Department of Health monitoring teams.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2705

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What has he found to be the impact of (i) health care and (ii) health care services on the patients at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital due to underfunding that was caused historically and never rectified and (b) by what date will this be rectified?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) Impact of (i) health care (ii) health care services

Impact on Infrastructure: Limited budget does not allow for extension and refurbishment of service areas according to the hospital needs and statutory requirements. This leads to recurrent breakages which leads to service interruptions e.g. boilers are old and difficult to repair; this impact negatively on theatre outputs, availability of linen for patients, steam availability for the kitchen operations etc.

Impact on the service offerings package: Limited budget continues to impact negatively on immediate access to needed tertiary care e.g. Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital patients that require radiation therapy are referred to CMJAH and patients who require cardiac surgery are referred to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital for treatment.

Impact on Compensation of employees: due to limited funding for compensation of employees there are services that remain limited but are required for example, some of the beds in ICU cannot be used, this limits the availability of ICU beds for patients from the hospital and other facilities within the cluster.

There are vacant posts that are not funded due to limited budget. This has resulted in the delay or no activation of services that are needed such as additional theatres that could be assisting in addressing some of the surgical backlogs

b) By what date will this be rectified?

Annually the management has continued to present the budget requirements to the provincial budget bilateral committee. No additional funding was allocated

Remedial intervention for staffing challenge: The Gauteng DOH Provincial Office is currently reviewing the hospital staff establishment.

The date for rectification of underfunding for Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital cannot be determined at facility level

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2690

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

With regard to the alarming concern that has been raised about the impact of loadshedding on the ability of public healthcare facilities to provide critical care to the most vulnerable, what (a) is the percentage of public healthcare facilities in each province that has alternative electricity sources, such as generators, to assist during loadshedding and (b) urgent steps has his department taken to (i) address the problem and (ii) ensure that vital and critical life-saving services are not interrupted by electricity outages?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) All the hospitals have back-up generators including Uninterrupted Power Supply products.

b) The Department is in the process of installing solar panels to all the community health centres (CHC’s) and clinics.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2648

Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department and/or any of the entities reporting to him have researchers actively working on the causes of Motor Neurone Disease (MND); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of the researchers, (b) where are they conducting their research, (c) what is being done by the Government to support research into MND and (d) what total amount was budgeted annually for the research in (i) each of the past five financial years and (ii) the 2022-23 financial year?

Source
Link

Reply:

There is currently no research programme related to Motor Neuron Disease that is supported by the National Department of Health.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2647

Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Health

What total number of persons in each province (a) suffer from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and (b) succumbed to MND in each year for which information is available?

Source
Link

Reply:

Motor Neuron Disease is a very rare chronic neurological disorder. Provinces do not collect routine data on this condition.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2629

Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

(a) Will she furnish Mrs E R Wilson with a list of all the public hospitals in each province in which a fire broke out and/or was recorded (i) in the (aa) 2019-20, (bb) 2020-21 and (cc) 2021-22 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2022 and (b) what are the details thereof in each case?

Source
Link

Reply:

The information is as follows, according to the Provincial Departments of Health:

Province	Name of the hospital	(i) in the (aa) 2019/20,	(bb) 2020/21	(cc) 2021/22	(ii) since 1 April 2022	(b) what are the details thereof in each case?
Free State	Universitas Academic Hospital	2020	-	-	-	A cigarette smoked in the male public toilet at the waiting area at Ward 3 was the cause of fire. A side window in the toilet was forced open by damaging the locking rivets which secure the window always closed. The cigarette butt was thrown out of the window and landed on the shaft floor. It ignited some old toilet paper and hand towels. The fire was extinguished immediately. The fire extinguishers and fire hydrants are always serviced.
	Botshabelo District Hospital	-	-	January 2022	-	Laundry caught fire. The building was refurbished and the whole electrical cabling was replaced. The Institution is expecting the delivery of the new Laundry Machines which were affected by the fire.
	Thebe District Hospital	-	-	-	July 2022	Fire incident took place at the back of Thebe District Hospital near the Bulk Oxygen Cylinders. Veld fires came from the west side of the hospital in the afternoon. The firefighters were called but never reached due to unavailability of vehicles. The hospital staff used fire extinguishers and hose reels to stop the fire. The Senior Administration Officer was made aware of the situation and promised to maintain the grass short and pave around the oxygen tank in the next financial year.
	Phekolong/Nketoana District Hospital Complex					Nketoana District Hospital experienced fire in the storeroom that is situated outside the Hospital main building. It had equipment destined for disposal and stationery that was not in use.
	Albert Nzula Hospital				May 2022	Fire incident at the accommodation site
Gauteng	Carletonville	-	-	February 2021	-	Fire at Carletonville destroyed medical equipment and PPE
	Charlotte Maxeke	-	-	April 2021	-	Charlotte Maxeke Hospital caught fire medical and surgical consumables destroyed and the infrastructure destroyed
	Steve Biko Academic	-	-	-	May 2022	Fire at Steve Biko started at the Wendy house used for the storage of the medical waste
	Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic	-	-	-	June 2022	Fire at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic hospital started in the open space near the COVID-19 tents and was extinguished.
KwaZulu Natal	Nkandla	-	-	18 June 2021	-	Fire caused damages to the Office of the CEO, entrance to OPD and zonal matron’s office. Doors and expander gates and ceiling were damaged in all areas.
	Hlabisa			13 January 2021		Hlabisa hospital psychiatry unit caught fire. The door, shower curtain was damaged and electric wires melted.
Limpopo	FH Odendaal	-	-	04 May 2021	-	The COVID -19 unit burnt and there were two casualties and one among them was a prisoner under guard. The whole cubicle damaged completely.
	Ellisrus	-	-	17 June 2021	-	A fire broke out in the Occupational therapy toilet. The fire was put out and the damage was insignificant, and the building was declared safe for occupation.
	Hellen Franz	-	February 2020	-	May 2022	One incident of fire in Maternity Block which also damaged the Clinic and part of maternity (1 roofed building) took place in February 2020. One incident of Fire in May 2022. Faulty UV light caught fire in Allied block, but it was contained.
	WF Knobel	-	-	-	August 2022	Fire broke outside the hospital in August 2022 at around 16h30 and was extinguished by colleagues Working on Fire.
Mpumalanga	No hospitals	-	-	-	-	N/A
Northern Cape	No report
Northwest	No report
Western Cape	Worcester Hospital	September 2019	-	-	-	Fire took place due to the failure of electrical equipment in the substation. Municipal main supply was re-instated within 72 hours.
	Tygerberg Hospital	September 2019	-	-	-	A notice board caught fire due to substation failure. Damage was limited to a small section of flooring and wall in the Adult Psychiatric Out-Patient Clinic.
	Mitchells Plain CHC	September 2019	-	-	-	Fire started in the theatre section due to an electrical fault but was quickly extinguished.
	Caledon Hospital	-	-	April 2021	-	Fire damaged adjacent rooms and the efforts of the fire department resulted in additional water damage. The said ward was fully restored and was fully operational within a fortnight. The service was not adversely affected, and patients were accommodated in other wards in the hospital.
	Vredendal Hospital	-	-	-	May 2022	A patient set fire to the mattress and bed. The damage was assessed as: a. The ward where the patient had been who allegedly had started the fire is very severely damaged b. The adjacent passageway and wards have smoke damage but were not directly damaged by the fire c. The water used to extinguish the fire also did some damage to e.g., the floors. d. Furniture and equipment were coated with soot but not physically damaged The COVID “field ward” which had been constructed during one of the worse waves of the epidemic – the old boiler room was converted to accommodate patients from the affected ward.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2555

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)(a) What is the total number of state mortuaries in each province, (b) do all state mortuaries have the necessary equipment as per standard requirements, (c) what is the total number of qualified pathologists at each facility in each province, (d) are all staff at such mortuaries properly trained and/or capacitated to do their duties and (e) what are the specific removal times of the deceased as per the required regulation time frames; (2) whether all mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to be able to operate in a functional environment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of (a) vehicles and (b) staff was supposed to be allocated towards each facility?

Source
Link

Reply:

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

a) Total Number of Mortuaries

(b) Necessary equipment as per standard requirements

(c)Total number of qualified Pathologists

(d) Are all staff trained

/capacitated to their duties.

25

Most facilities have standard equipment

3 in total

Yes

d) Some facilities in the Eastern Cape do not have an Xray machine however equipment from the adjacent mortuaries is utilised.

(e) For all mortuaries in South Africa, removal of bodies at incident scenes is determined by several factors: -

Time taken by the SAPS to complete their incident scene investigation
Reaction time taken by FPS to reach the scene (traffic)
The distance between the mortuary and the area of the scene.
The mortuaries have Forensic Pathology Officers (FPO’s) on standby 24 hours.

2. Yes, all mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to function. Details are in table below. There are also holding facilities where the human remains are only stored, and autopsies are conducted in another facility.

Total Vehicles	Total staff at facilities
48	175

FREE STATE PROVINCE

(1)

(a)Total Number of Mortuaries

(b) Necessary equipment as per standard requirements

(c)Total number of qualified Pathologists

(d) Are all staff trained

/capacitated to their duties.

11

Most facilities have standard equipment

6 in total

Yes

(b) Some facilities in Free State do not have an Xray machine however equipment from the adjacent mortuaries is utilised.

2. Yes, all mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to function. Details are in table below. There are also holding facilities where the human remains are only stored, and autopsies are conducted in another facility. There are however infrastructure challenges in some mortuaries hosted within SAPS premises.

Total Vehicles	Total staff at facilities
14	22

GAUTENG PROVINCE

(a) Total Number of Mortuaries

(b) Necessary equipment as per standard requirements

(c)Total number of qualified Pathologists

(d) Are all staff trained

/capacitated to their duties.

11

Most facilities have standard equipment

12 in total

Yes

b) Some facilities in the Gauteng do not have an Xray machine however equipment from the adjacent mortuaries is utilised.

2. Yes, mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to functional environment. Details are in table below.

Total Vehicles	Total staff at facilities
88	330

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

(a)Total Number of Mortuaries

(b) Necessary equipment as per standard requirements

(c)Total number of qualified Pathologists

(d) Are all staff trained

/capacitated to their duties.

15

Most facilities have standard equipment

6 in total

Yes

b) Some facilities in the Limpopo are currently using a manual head saw it is envisaged that procurement of an electric head saw with extraction fan will improve the functioning of such facilities.

2. Yes, mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to functional environment. There are also holding facilities where the human remains are only stored, and autopsies are conducted in another facility Details are in table 1 below.

Total Vehicles	Total staff at facilities
59	94

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

(1)

(a)Total Number of Mortuaries

(b) Necessary equipment as per standard requirements

(c)Total number of qualified Pathologists

(d) Are all staff trained

/capacitated to their duties.

21

Most facilities have standard equipment

1

Yes

b) Some facilities in Mpumalanga do not have an Xray machine, hydraulic lifting trolleys, autopsy head saw and foldable stretchers however equipment from the adjacent mortuaries is utilised.

(2) Yes, mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to functional environment. Details are in table below. There are also holding facilities where the human remains are only stored, and autopsies are conducted in another facility.

Total Vehicles	Total staff at facilities
59	94

NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

(1)

(a)Total Number of Mortuaries

(b) Necessary equipment as per standard requirements

(c)Total number of qualified Pathologists

(d) Are all staff trained

/capacitated to their duties.

11

Most facilities have standard equipment

1

Yes

(b) Some facilities in the Northern Cape do not have an Xray machine however one Xray machine has been incorporated in the construction plan for Frances Baard mortuary where Specialist/ Pathologist services are available

(2) Yes, mortuaries have the necessary infrastructure to functional environment. Details are in table below. There are also holding facilities where the human remains are only stored, and autopsies are conducted in another facility.

Total Vehicles	Total staff at facilities
27	53

The Northwest and Western Cape responses are still outstanding.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2554

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, noting that many entities are spending a huge percentage of their budgets on leasing, while such funds could be more appropriately used to reach key performance indicators and targets, his department will consider liaising with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to assist in utilising unused buildings in order to decrease the total amount spent on leasing; if so, what are the relevant details; if not, (2) whether his department has any other solutions to address the specified issue, so that budgets can be adequately used to fulfil their mandate and effectively reach targets; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what (a) criterion was used to decide and/or establish which hospitals were going to receive the major portion of the health budget in each province, (b) was the budget supposed to be used for and (c) were the time frames that the budgets were allocated for?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Department will consider liaising with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to assist in utilising unused buildings in order to decrease the total amount spent by Heath Entities on leasing building on request by entities, noting the following details with regard to each of the entities falling under the mandate of Health:

a) National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS): NHLS is only leasing offices for the regional offices in Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. The Forensic Chemistry Laboratories are also leasing buildings in Gauteng, Western Cape and Durban. The NHLS is currently engaging the Department of Public Works for the transfer of ownership of the buildings occupied by the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Furthermore, the NHLS is also considering the buying of property. All other NHLS activities and laboratories are in public or university facilities.

b) Council for Medical Schemes (CMS): CMS spent 8% of its budget on the current lease building in Pretoria for the 2021/2022 financial year. The CMS has already initiated a process of soliciting advice from the NDPW in respect to compliance with Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA) and NDPW Space Planning Norms and Standards which will guide CMS office accommodation procurement.

c) South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA): SAHPRA budget allocated to office rentals amount to 5.8% for 2021/22 and 5.5% for the 2022/23 financial year.

d) South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC): The SAMRC owns most of its properties in Parow, Delft, Durban and Pretoria. The leasing of research sites near primary health care clinics and hospitals ensures the SAMRC’s ability to conduct relevant research in communities where they don’t own property. Where there is open space in their buildings or on their properties they enter into lease agreements, and income received is used to supplement funding for the operations. Most of the research sites are externally funded, have a finite period and will not be economical for SAMRC to own these properties which may not be used beyond the research period.

e) Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC): The OHSC is currently in a five-year lease agreement which will expire at the end of October 2023. The office lease payments make up 9% of the 2022/23 budget. During this September 2022, the OHSC will commence with evaluating options for office premises to be considered when the current lease agreement expires. Amongst the options, the OHSC will also evaluate the possibility of engaging the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for suitable office premises, in the event that such premises are available.

2. The department’s first option is always to request the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as the landlord of all government departments to allocate government owned buildings to cover the department’s property needs as this is cost effective. The Department is however reliant on the availability of these buildings as guided by the DPWI.

3. Budget allocation is normally awarded based on their historic budgets which considers the following:

Population serviced
Disease profile
Level of services offered (district, regional, tertiary, and central)
Bed capacity of the hospital
Head count of the hospital
Staff employed and proposed new appointments

The usage of the budget in within the hospital is divided into the following:

Compensation of employees
Goods and services
Maintenance
Equipment

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2550

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) is the amount outstanding for accruals within the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and (b) service providers have not been paid within the 30 days’ requirement; (2) what total number of contracts of service providers have not been renewed; (3) referring to the current issue in terms of food supply at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, (a) did this occur due to the contracts of the service providers not being renewed and (b) what is the status quo related to the specified service providers currently?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. (a) The outstanding accruals as at 31/7/2022: R178,410,428

(b) Service providers have not been paid within the 30 days requirement. 30 Day compliance was at 74% as per attached spreadsheet

2. Number of contracts of service providers

Contract renewal is a competency of the Province and National Treasury.
Contract for chicken, red meat, fish are awarded.
Contract for groceries is extended
Some contracts for major medical equipment (diagnostic) are not finalised.

3. (a) The issue of shortage of supply of bread was not arise as the matter of contract not being renewed, the non-delivery of bread was due to non-payment of the supplier by the department.

(b) Due to non-availability of the Provincial contract for supply and delivery of bread, the Hospital arranged their own contract within the financial delegations of the CEO. Currently there are no challenges with supply and deliveries for bread.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2549

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, noting that the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has had to absorb the health care services of patients from the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, due to that hospital being non-operational, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has been assisted with an additional budget to ensure that its health care remains at the required standard; if not, why not; if so, what was the budget top-up; (2) what is the current budget (a) for infrastructure projects at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and (b) intended for, from the maintenance budget to the capex budget?

Source
Link

Reply:

(1) Additional budget was in a form of personnel/human resources that were distributed from Charlotte to Baragwanath Hospital whose Salaries continued to be paid by Charlotte

(2) See below a table that covers a budget for (a) CAPEX projects funded through Health Facilities Revitalization Grant and (b) OPEX projects funded through Equitable Share:

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Infrastructure Budget
Health facility Revitilization Grant
Project	Expenditure to date	Budget Forecast	Estimated total project cost
CHRIS HANI 500 ICU COVID19 NEWO	264 515 573,91		264 515 573,91
Chris Hani Bara Hospital - Electro	1 784 800,00		1 784 800,00
Chris Hani Baragwanath - Critical repairs and refurbishment of staff accommo	902 892 623,17	134 000 000,00	1 036 892 623,17
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital _ HT for critical repairs	-	2 500 000,00	2 500 000,00
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Maintenance - Planned, statutory and preventative maintenance	328 582 494,22	118 112 000,00	446 694 494,22
Chris Hani Laundry Maintenance -Planned, statutory and preventative maintenance	2 990 676,96		2 990 676,96
Total	1 500 766 168,26	254 612 000,00	1 755 378 168,26

Equitable Share
Project	Expenditure to date	Budget Forecast	Estimated total project cost
Chris Hani Bara Hospital - Electro	23 124 950,53	9 146 000,00	32 270 950,53
Chris Hani Bara Hospital OHS Compliance Services	32 145 000,00	0,00	32 145 000,00
Chris Hani Bara Laundry-electro	10 228 940,68	8 575 000,00	18 803 940,68
Chris Hani Baragwanath - Critical repairs and refurbishment of staff accommo	29 206 099,74		29 206 099,74
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital _ Upgrades and additions to ICU and orthopedic workshop and	4 480 972,07		4 480 972,07
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Maintenance - Planned, statutory and preventative maintenance	347 299 530,82	123 000 000,00	470 299 530,82
Chris Hani Laundry Maintenance -Planned, statutory and preventative maintenance	10 746 234,26	11 984 000,00	22 730 234,26
Linear Accelerator Bunkers - Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital		50 000,00	50 000,00
Total	457 231 728,10	152 755 000,00	609 986 728,10
Grand Total	1 957 997 896,36	407 367 000,00	2 365 364 896,36

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2706

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) effective implementation agency does his department have in place to ensure that authentic funeral parlours and burial societies have access to mortuaries in order to avoid bribery, corruption and overburdening the forensic facilities and (b) constructive strategies are in place to ensure that mortuaries work closely with the SA Police Service for purposes of investigations and judiciary in order to ensure quicker results?

Source
Link

Reply:

(a)-(b) Forensic Pathology Service is provided through the Regulations relating to the provision of Forensic Pathology Service and Code of guidelines. These service works within the Criminal Justice Systems as it deals with the non-natural causes of death. The service interaction with the South African Police Service is also defined in the regulations and code of guidelines.

(i) Removal of the body

The Forensic Pathology Officers may only remove a body from the scene of death after the Investigating Officer has given authority for such removal of the body by the Service.

(ii) Transportation of the body

A person in charge of a health establishment where a person has died of unnatural causes must immediately notify the South African Police Service of such death.
Death in transit to or on arrival at a health establishment must be reported by the person in charge of that health establishment.
The Service, after authorization by the Investigating Officer, must then remove the body as prescribed by the Code, to the designated facility.

(iii) Medico-legal Postmortem Examination

A post-mortem examination may only be conducted-

in terms of the above-mentioned regulations, provisions of the Act, the Inquest Act,
at a designated facility or institution.
with the express request of the Investigating Officer investigating the death, or the authorization of the magistrate in whose district such post-mortem examination is intended to be performed.

The Head of Department or the person to whom such function has been delegated, may authorize any other person other than an authorised person, to participate in a post-mortem examination.

Any person other than-

the Investigating Officer investigating the cause of death.
an authorized person; or
a person authorized by the Head of Health or delegated person, may apply to the magistrate within whose jurisdiction the cause of death is being investigated or to the authorised person, to be present at the post-mortem examination.

(iv) Reporting and consultation.

No person is allowed to make copies of any documentation relating to a post-mortem examination without prior written approval of the person in charge of that designated facility.
No person may release information or documentation, original or copied, pertaining to any post-mortem examination to any other person unless duly authorised by the person in charge of the designated facility where such post-mortem examination was conducted.
When any copy is made or document removed from a post-mortem file, a record
the name and signature of the person who made the copy or removed them
the name of the document copied or removed;
whether the document was copied or removed.
the number of copies made;
the purpose for which the copies were made, including reference to the letter for any official request;
the date and time the document was copied or removed; and
whether written approval was given.
When any file is removed, whether for court appearance, studying its contents or for any other purpose, a record must be made in a Forensic Pathology Service Register of files indicating the must be made on the cover of the file indicating document;

- name and signature of the person who removed the file;

- date and time of removal;

- purpose of the removal; and

- date and time of the return; and

- name and signature of the person returning the file. when the file is returned –

A forensic pathologist, forensic medical officer, or medical practitioner that copies or removes any documentation relating to a post-mortem examination, must return all such documentation, original or copied, that is no longer required for academic or consultative purposes, to the file immediately.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2712

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

With reference to the Mid-level Health Care Programme, which is centred around the creation of the clinical associates position that was established by the SA National Department of Health in 2008 to assist with the availability of health care professionals in rural communities, what has he found to be the success rate of deploying more doctors to rural communities in need?

Source
Link

Reply:

Section 52 of the Health Act (Act No. 61, National Health Act, 2003) makes provision for the Minister of Health to make regulations regarding human resources within the national health system in order to create new categories of health care personnel to be educated or trained and thereby mitigate the impact of human resources for health (HRH) shortages.

The Clinical Associate category was introduced by the National Department of Health in 2007, to increase access to healthcare, primarily in district hospitals by extending the capacity of the health team. The main objective in developing this cadre of health worker was to improve access to health care to all sectors of the population irrespective of their geographical location. Hence the majority of Clinical Associates work in the public sector at primary care level in district hospitals and Community Health Centres.

Deployment of doctors in rural and underserved communities is supported and enhanced by the Government’s Community Service Policy that effectively compels graduates seeking registration with the HPCSA as independent practitioners for the first time to have completed one (1) year of community service. The policy makes provision for placement of graduates in facilities based on service needs.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2717

Xaba, Mr N to ask the Minister of Health

What progress has his department made with regard to the transformation of the administration of digitising health records at local clinics and regional hospitals so that the administration is aligned with the commitment of digital transformation?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The National Department of Health has developed the National Digital Health Strategy which is highlighting the high-level of outcomes towards Digital Health for South Africa. Note: That the implementation of the digital health strategic is delayed by 2 years as a result of the Departments involvement in the management of the COVID 19 Pandemic in the Country.

2. Four levels of technical maturity are defined in health information systems for patient records:

Level 1: Local paper based medical records

Level 2: Local Paper Based records with some IT Support

Level 3: a Centralised shared electronic health record with mixed mode local medical records (both paper based and electronic medical records

Level 4: a Fully integrated national shared Electronic Health record owns by the Patients with local Electronic Medical Records.

3. The aim is to work through a systematic process that would facilitate South Africa to be at the level 4 Maturity. The National Department of Health to date has focused on development and implementation of key building blocks essential for the level 4 maturity namely:

Within the ICT Technology and Hardware component

a) To date the National Department of Health in collaboration with Provincial Departments of Health have purchased and distributed 22 812 Desktop Computers to 3150 public health facilities (3089 PHC facilities and 61 Hospitals)

b) The National Department of Health has established a National Central Health Information Data Centre for the secured Digital Health Solutions and their respective datasets

c) The National Department of has established a Big Data Platform that uses 4IR technology – Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to enable the management and matching of different datasets together with the development of data analytics and visualisation products

The following intervention has been focussed on for the development of the Digital Health Enterprise Architecture

d) The National Department of Health in partnership with the CSIR and wide consultation has developed the revised version of the Interoperability Normative Standards framework for Digital Health in South Africa. This framework provides for the set of norms and standards to be used for all Digital Patient Information Systems to allow for the sharing of data and linkages of different patient information solutions with the ultimate aim being the creation of one portable electronic health record.

e) The first phase of the South African Digital Health – Health Information Exchange has been developed. This technology provides a mediator between different software solutions to ultimately provide for the creation of shared and portable Electronic Health Records for the users of the Health System

With regards to software solutions:

f) To date the focus has been on the development and implementation of 2 of the 4 Identity Registry Software Solutions and Platforms required for the development of a shared Electronic Health Record for users of the Health Care System

User Registry:

g) The National Department of Health in partnership with the CSIR developed the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS). The purpose of the system is to standardise patient registration across all health facilities. A National patient registry has been created and will be the source of the NHI Beneficiary registry.

(i)The Health Patient Registration System assigns a unique Master Patient Index (MPI) to everyone registered on the system. This system as at 29 August 2022 has been installed in 3150 public health facilities (3089 PHC Facilities and 61 Hospitals). This solution is the authoritative source of all individual’s’ demographic and personal data. To date the demographic data of 63 241 201 individuals has been registered on the HPRS at the point of care since inception some people will have died and others left the country. The ability to do identity verification at the point of care is important for the authenticity of the data included on the system. During this financial year the department is commencing with the deployment of bio-metric identity verification at the point of care.

h) The Master Patient Index assigned by the HPRS to individuals is used as a catalyst for the development and implementation of the user’s Electronic Health Record, where the information about a patient from different information systems will be linked into one record for the patient. To this effect the HPRS has been linked with the laboratory test results system of NHLS. This functionality is being tested for implementation at PHC facilities in Ugu District in KZN, identified PHC facilities across all districts in Free State and PHC facilities in Gert Sibande district in Mpumalanga. Development has started for the use of the MPI with other systems such as the HIV and TB patient information systems as well as the SYNCH System which is the digital solution of the Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution Programme and an electronic pharmaceutical prescribing and dispensing systems. This initiative forms part of the preparatory work for the implementation of NHI.

An important enabler to ensure maximum impact for this initiative is access to continuous quality broadband connectivity. The department will continue to work with stakeholders in this space namely the Department of Post and Telecommunication services, ICASA, SA Connect and Mobile Telecommunication service providers to develop and implement appropriate solutions.

Health Establishment Registry:

i) NThe National Department of Health has developed the Master Health Facility Registry solution and platform. This registry is the authorative source of data for all health establishments in the country. The registry currently has the details of more than 40 000 health establishments (public and private) registered on the system. This solution assigned a unique identification number to each health establishment. All patient information systems will be required to use this Health Establishment User Identity and forms a non-negotiable component of the development of a share electronic health record.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2729

Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, in light of the alleged collapse of health services in large parts of the Eastern Cape and in particular at the Livingston Hospital which has been experiencing a severe lack of supply in vital medical and health equipment and a mass exodus of doctors and specialists in recent months, he will intervene in terms of section 100 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

We are aware of the challenges experienced by the Eastern Cape department of Health in most of their facilities including Livingstone hospital and we are providing all the support necessary. It is not the intention of the National department to institute the Section 100 provision, but the intention is to support the province on all their interventions

We are supporting the province in their Health Turn-Around Plan consisting of six pillars to address their administrative challenges. 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 Planning

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.

15 September 2022 - NW2727

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What total number of times are the students of the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro Collaboration Programme allowed to travel between the Republic of Cuba and the Republic during their six-year medical exchange programme and (b) on which airlines are the students allowed to travel?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The students are allowed two tickets, meaning two (2) times to travel between the Republic of Cuba and Republic of South Africa during their six (6) years in Cuba. However, students are also allowed to attend funerals of the next of kin/close relatives or when they are sick and come for further treatment in South Africa.

b) There are few airlines available, and no specific airline has been allowed for students to use, however Air France has been frequently used.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2531

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department has on record a list of facilities that were constructed for COVID-19 that are no longer in use; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the full, relevant details and (b) plans does his department have for the specified facilities?

Source
Link

Reply:

	PROVINCE	FIELD HOSPITAL	COMMENTS	Total Number per province
1.	Eastern Cape	Port Elizabeth VW field hospital	This facility was a conversion of a warehouse into a 3000 bed hospital donated by Volkswagen (VW manufacturer. Currently the facility is not in use.	1 Facility
2.	Free State	Intra-Health Care Facilities for Surge	Universitas converted the underground management parking to create a space for 110 beds. The ward has been repurposed for its intended services. House Idahlia was identified for 60 High Care Beds. The ward has been repurposed for its intended services. Pelonomi hospital was approved for 296 beds. The ward has been repurposed for other health care services. Bongani hospital Nurses was identified for 150 beds. The ward has been repurposed for other health care services. Itumeleng CHC was approved for 200 beds. The ward has been repurposed for other health care services. Field hospital in the Mangaung showground was erected but it has dismentled Manapo Hospital Hall was approved for 53 beds. The facility has been repurposed. Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg was approved for 95 beds. The contract was cancelled and the ward has been repurposed for other health care services.	8 hospitals with
3.	Gauteng	NASREC Field hospital	500 beds was completed and commissioned, but never used and has been decommissioned	6 Facilities
		Anglo Gold Ashanti	Anglo Gold Field Ashanti Hospital has been decommissioned.
		Kopanong hospital	New 300 ICU Beds Hospital. Construction was only at 50% towards completion but it has been cancelled
		Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital	New 500 ICU Beds Hospital was completed but not used as Covid facility and has been repurposed to accommodate a Dental Clinic.
		George Mukhari Hospital	New 300 ICU Beds Hospital. The facility is not completed and not functional.
		Jubille Hospital	New 300 ICU Beds Hospital was completed and opened. It is functional, but not only for Covid cases.
4.	KZN	Royal Agricultural Showground, Ngwelezana, general Gizenga Mpanza Hospital and Clairewood field hospital	Royal Agricultural Showground. The field hospital in Pietermaritzburg has been decommissioned. Ngwelezane hospital has been approved the construction of 113 beds but has been decommissioned General Justice Ginzenga Mapanza was approved for 113 beds but it has been decommissioned. Clairewood hospital was allocated 226 beds for Covid cases. The facility not in use and the decommissioning was delayed due to an ongoing court case.	4 Facilities
5.	Limpopo	none	Limpopo has not built any field hospitals.
6.	Mpumalanga	none	Mpumalanga has not built any field hospitals
7.	Northern Cape	none	Northern Cape has not built any field hospitals
8.	North West	None	In NW province there is no new facility that was built. The province acquired additional beds from two mines and 1 private supplier that were not used beforehand and they are: 1. Wesvaal hospital: 150 beds of the 250 were operationalised for Covid-19. Currently repurposed to host Ex-miners Occupational Disease clinic. 2. Maseve hospital: 182 beds operationalised for Covid-19. The facility has been handed over back to the mine. 3. DuffScott hospital: 100 beds procured for covid-19. Contract was terminated when covid numbers went down.	3 Facilities
9.	Western Cape		CTICC (CoCT) decommissioned in 2020 Brackengate (CoCT) converted to an intermediate care facility Thusong centre (CoCT) decommissioned in 2020 Harry Comay (George), part of the hospital, converted to an intermediate care facility Sonstraal (Paarl) part of the hospital, converted to an intermediate care facility	5 Facilities

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2474

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) is the current backlog of surgeries in all government hospitals, (b) types of surgeries are in the backlog, (c) is the period and/or duration of each type of backlog and (d)(i) actions are being put in place to eradicate the backlog and (ii) are the timeframes in this regard; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Source
Link

Reply:

Surgeries are conducted at facility level and the information is also collected at these facilities. The Provincial Departments of Health provided the information as follows for all hospitals with backlogs

a) Table 1 below provides total number of backlogs on surgeries.

Province	Total number of backlogs on surgeries
Eastern Cape	5373
Free State	2947
Gauteng	13433
KwaZulu Natal	17906
Limpopo	45690
Mpumalanga	3005
Northwest	5531
Northern Cape	4000
Western Cape	77139

The information above and provided for the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Northwest, Northern Cape and Western Cape was last updated in the past two (2) months. These Provinces had not updated their information at the time of requesting it for this response and have been requested to do so. Only Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga were able to provide updated information.

Eastern Cape Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Nelson Mandela Academic Livingstone Port Elizabeth Provincial Frere Hospital Cecilia Makiwane Dora Nginza Frontier	Orthopaedics	Not specified
		Obstetrics and Gynaecology	Not specified
		General Surgery	Not specified
		Ophthalmology	Not specified
		Urology	Not specified
		Plastic Surgery	Not specified
		Paediatric surgery	Not specified

Eastern Cape Province

(d)(i) What actions are being put in place to eradicate the backlog?

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

Moratorium on elective surgery was lifted in 2021

Monthly monitoring of the waiting period

The hospitals have rescheduled all non-emergency operations

Providing theatre services during the weekends and extended hours to reduce backlogs

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Free State Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Manapo Universitas Pelonomi Bongani Boitumelo Dihlabeng	Orthopaedics	3 months to 4years
		Obstetrics and Gynaecology	8 months
		General Surgery	3 to 8 months
		Opthalmology	3 years
		Urology	6 months
		Plastic Surgery	8 months
		Cardio Thoracic	6 months
		Oncology	Not specified

Free State Province

(d)(i) What steps have been taken to deal with the backlogs

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

Monthly monitoring of waiting period.

Marathons arranged if department notices backlog

Patient education to ensure patients show up for appointments

A team on call for emergency theatres

Sometimes using theatre at private hospitals

Increase of theatre time

Prioritizing according to severity or quality of life

Conducting Blitz over weekends

Outreach to district hospitals.

Human Resource

Recruitment of additional staff

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Gauteng Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Academic hospital, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital	Orthopaedics	2 weeks to 7 years
		Obstetrics and Gynaecology	2 weeks to 2 years
		General Surgery	2 weeks to 2 years
		Paediatric Surgery	3 weeks to 1 year
		Opthalmology	6 months to 1 year
		Urology	1 month to 1 year
		Plastic Surgery	3 months to 2 years
		Neurosurgery	3 weeks to 3 months
		ENT	2 weeks to 9 months
		Cardio Thoracic	3 to 6 months
		Maxillo Facial	Not specified

Gauteng Province

(d)(i) What steps have been taken to deal with the backlogs

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

District outreach surgical teams provide services once a week per quarter and spent time in a district conducting various surgeries using all hospitals (Rural Health Matters campaign).

A team of volunteers (orthopaedics and anaesthetics) from other provinces form part of the outreach teams.

Introduce electronic theatre booking system

Re-purposed COVID wards to increase post-operative care space

Dedicate specific “catch-up” days e.g., surgical cataract.

Rescheduling of elective surgeries; Planning to increase High Care Unit beds.

Human Resources

Theatre has fourteen (14)posts recruitment activated 4 vacant consultant posts and 6 registrar post (Maternity) and 4 vacant medical officer posts (Interviewed April and awaiting appointment).

Appointed a dedicated clinical Manager to oversee all 46 theatre efficiencies.

Beefing up of human resource through sessional appointments for specialists and nursing agencies for nurses.

Through the National Health Insurance Grant, public patients are taken to accredited private service providers (hospitals) where surgery is conducted as part of addressing the surgical backlog.

Infrastructure, Maintenance And Equipment

Renovation of theatres to increase the number of functional theatres.

Contractors sourced to repair and maintain tunnel washers

Contractor appointed for repair and maintained autoclaves

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

KwaZulu Natal Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Madadeni Hospital King Edward Hospital RK Khan Hospital Ngwelezana Hospital Port Shepstone Regional Murchison Hospital GJ Crookes Hospital Grey’s Hospital Harry Gwala Regional Hospital Northdale Hospital Manguzi Hospital Mosvold Hospital Ladysmith Regional Hospital	Orthopaedics	6 months to 2 years
		Obstetrics and Gynaecology	3 to 6 months
		General Surgery	6 months to 1 year
		Urology	12 months to 3 years
		Plastic Surgery	Not specified
		Neurosurgery	Not specified
		ENT	6 months to 1 year

KwaZulu Natal

(d)(i) What actions are being put in place to eradicate the backlog?

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

Catch up has been done by increasing theatre times

Elective slates done over the weekend to catch up. Camps have also been planned

Increase theatre times

Use after hours to reduce backlog

Elective theatre slates run even after hours

Electives commenced in 2021

Emergencies are given priority

Maximum utilization of theatres with added slates on weekends.

Weekend camps are planned

The hospital is increasing theatre time. Additional days added

Weekend cataract camps held to reduce the backlog

Additional half day theatre planned for every Thursday

No waiting for emergencies or malignancies as these were all done under emergency slates. No new dates given but electives are called back according to priority and bed availability.

For Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) procedures i.e., endoscopy and colonoscopy- are limited to emergencies only, e.g., GI bleeds, malignancy and selected elective cases after discussion with a specialist.

There is a plan to conduct a marathon (i.e., Request for two theatres to do only elective cases)

Theatre time increased

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Limpopo Province	Hospital Names	(b)Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Groblersdal Jane Furse Mecklenburg Philadelphia Mokopane, Philadelphia St Ritas Letaba, Van Velden Dr CN Phatudi Kgapane Nkhensani Maphuta Malatji Thabazimbi Lephalale George Masebe Witpoort Bela-Bela Voortrekker FH Odendaal Botlokwa Helen Franz Seshego Lebowakgomo Thabamoopo WF Knobel Zebediela Tshilidzini Elim Donald Frazer Siloam Malamulele Messina Mankweng Pietersburg	Orthopaedics	12 months to 2 years
		Obstetrics and Gynaecology	6 to 12 months
		General Surgery	12 months
		Opthalmology	4 years
		Urology	12 months
		Plastic Surgery	12 months
		Neurosurgery	5 years
		ENT	6 months
		Maxillo Facial	12 months

Limpopo Province

(d)(i) What steps have been taken to deal with the backlogs

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

Groups of in-house specialists and volunteers from other provinces visit a district at a time to conduct elective surgeries in obstetrics and Gynaecology

(hysterectomy), general surgery (mastectomy and thyroidectomy every quarter

From May 2022, monthly outreach services under the theme "Rural Health Matters" for urology (prostrate and hydrocoele), orthopaedic (hip replacement and knee surgery), Paediatric, maxillo-facial and cataract extraction

Specific month's focus is the Programme from 13th- 21st August 2022 in Waterberg District where 428 surgeries conducted.

Human Resources

Through the National Health Insurance Grant, public patients are taken to accredited private service providers (hospitals) where surgery is conducted as part of addressing the surgical backlog.

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Mpumalanga Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Rob Ferreira Witbank Mapulaneng Themba Ermelo	Orthopaedics	3 to 6 months
		Obstetrics and Gyanaecology	2 to 3 months
		General Surgery	2 months
		Opthalmology	3 to 9 months
		Urology	Not specified
		ENT	Not specified

Mpumalanga

(d)(i) What steps have been taken to deal with the backlogs

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

Orthopedic surgeries are also conducted on weekends,

Cataract increased theatre times to two days per week,

Operationalization the 7 theatres and 2 emergency theatres,

Allocation of an extra theatre per department and increase the theatre time,

Developed and implementing marathons over weekends,

Increased outreach to districts

Human Resources

Headhunting a second Orthopedic Surgeon for the Province, and an Ophthalmologist has commenced

A plan for a planned Orthopaedic Marathon is in process,

Month of October planned for Ophthalmology marathon.

Recruitment processes for General Surgeon is also underway

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Northern Cape Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe	Orthopaedics	2 days to 3 months
		Obstetrics and Gyanaecology	Not specified
		General Surgery	Not specified
		Opthalmology	2 to 3 years
		Urology	8 months to 1 year
		Plastic Surgery	Not specified
		ENT	Not specified
		Maxillo Facial	Not specified

Northern Cape Province

(d)(i) What actions are being put in place to eradicate the backlog?

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

The suspension of non -emergency cases was lifted in 2021

The tertiary hospitals conduct outreach service where minor orthopaedic operations in the district hospitals are performed (Upington, ZK Matthews and De Aar)

Human Resources

Recruitment of specialists, especially anaesthetists

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Northwest Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Klerksdorp/Tshepong Job Shimankana Tabane Mafikeng Provincial Joe Morolong Memorial Potchefstroom	Orthopaedics	3 years
		Obstetrics and Gynaecology	6 months
		General Surgery	6 months
		Urology	6 months
		ENT	6 months
		Opthalmology	7 months

Northwest Province

(d)(i) What actions are being put in place to eradicate the backlog?

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimising Efficiency

Implementation of surgical blitz

Providing theatre services during the weekends and extended hours to reduce backlogs

Utilization of all available theatres to improve efficiency

Human Resources

Public/Private partnership where it is feasible

Cannot be pre-determined as prioritization is done in terms of urgency, status of the patient and surgical procedure to be conducted.

Western Cape Province	Hospital Name	(b)Surgery Discipline	(c) Duration of backlog
	Alan Blyth Hospital Beaufort West BreedeValey Caledon Ceres Citrusdarl Clanwilliam Eerste River False Bay George Groote Schuur Helderberg Hermanus Karl Bremer Khayelitsha Knysna Laingsburg Mitchells Plain Montagu Mossel Bay Murraysburg New Somerset Otto du Plessis Oudtshoorn Paarl Prince Albert Red Croos War Memorial Children Riversdale Robertson Stellenbosch Swartland Swellendam Tygerburg Victoria Vredenburg Vredendal Wesfleur Worcester	Orthopaedics	Backlogs on elective surgery have been building up over the past (two)2 and a half year due to the COVID pandemic. There is not a set waiting list being kept for elective theatre lists. Patients are booked 6 months in advance as well as according to capacity. They are also constantly being reviewed.
		Obstetrics and Gyanaecology
		General Surgery
		Opthalmology
		Urology
		Plastic Surgery
		Neurosurgery
		Oncology

Western Cape Province

(d)(i) What actions are being put in place to eradicate the backlog?

(d)(ii) What are the timeframes in this regard?

Optimisation of Efficiency

The province allocated an additional R 20 million from internal prioritization of funds to deal with backlogs.

The Province is also increasing day surgery activities as far as possible, and this will assist us in dealing with backlogs

The Province also procured two (2) surgical robots at a cost of R 80 million, this will reduce the recovery time and allow patients to be discharged earlier.

Elective cases are being discussed with specialists as they present again.

Patients are booked 6 months in advance as well as according to capacity. They are also constantly being reviewed.

(2) No I will not make a statement on this matter.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2525

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether there is an immediate plan and solution to address the issues experienced by some local hospitals throughout the Republic of crippling staff shortages, broken equipment, basic drug shortages, emergency surgery delays, slashed operating times and a sharp rise in neonatal death rates; if not, why not; if so, what are the full, relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

Yes, there is a plan to address issues raised. The details are as follows:

1. Staff shortages

Due to general budget cuts introduced by National Treasury because of the economical status of the country not all posts can be filled simultaneously and this has negatively affected all the provincial departments of Health.

In order to mitigate the above, the Department has introduced several interventions to address the shortage of health workers in health facilities, which amongst others includes:

Prioritisation of the posts in the Annual Recruitment Plan – where funding permits
Prioritisation of the posts for conditional grant funding
Filling of replacement posts considered and approved weekly
Employment of health professionals on contract bases to strengthen capacity for
Prioritization of these contract employees for permanent employment where funding permits at the end of their contracts
Awarding of bursaries yearly to internal and external candidates to study further in various disciplines
A dedicated Registrar Programme to train and produce in-house Medical Specialists
Provision of internship and community service programme

2. Broken equipment

The Department has been experiencing budget cuts over the past few years impacting negatively on issues such as maintenance of equipment and facilities. However, new interventions in the form of conditional grants have been put in place to help provinces cope with revitalisation and maintenance backlogs.

The following are some of the conditional grants that have been introduced to help with maintenance and revitalisation of facilities inclusive of Medical Equipment and are in addition to Equitable Share granted to provinces:

Health Facilities Revitalisation Grant (HFRG), Managed National Health, but transferred to provinces with conditions and oversight by National Health.
National Tertiary Services Grant (NTSG): Managed by National Health but transferred to provinces for equipment gaps and repairs.
National Health Insurance Indirect Grant (In-kind grant): Managed and implemented under National Health through implementing agents.

Other interventions include:

Integration of maintenance plans and Service Level Agreements within transversal contracts administered under National Treasury.
Development of Medical Equipment Maintenance Strategic Framework within the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer within National Treasury, and the related transversal Contract for Maintenance of Medical Equipment

3.. Shortage of drugs

The national medicine supply chain has been stable in 2022 and the Department has not experienced general stockouts.

However, when we are informed about stockouts we endeavour to intervene immediately. Some of the constraints we have been informed about relate to:

Supply constraints of specific items which are sometimes experienced at specific hospitals and when that happens the department responds to those specific issues.
There were some global supply disruptions on some items experienced during COVID-19 and some fluctuations in medicine availability, but this has improved post Covid-19.
The introduction of the stock surveillance system which gives alert on the issue of drugs allows the National Department of Health to pick up problems early and intervene timeously.

4. Improving patient waiting times

All provinces are now conducting emergency surgeries that have an impact on the quality of life of individuals and are life threatening. These are some of interventions they have embarked on:

4.1 Optimising Efficiency

Moratorium on elective surgery was lifted in 2021
Monthly monitoring of the waiting period
The hospitals have rescheduled all non-emergency operations
Providing theatre services during the weekends and extended hours to reduce backlogs
Sometimes using theatre at private hospitals
Increase of theatre time
Prioritizing according to severity or quality of life
Conducting Blitz over weekends
Outreach to district hospitals.

Human Resource

Recruitment of additional staff including Specialist for key specific disciplines.

5. Reduction of neonatal deaths

Yes, we have seen a sharp rise in neonatal death rates in health facilities and mainly because of three main causes which are:

Asphyxia, Prematurity and Neonatal infections.

The solution to address neonatal deaths due to Asphyxia is through:

the improvement of health care worker skills to manage labour and delivery,
manage the obstetric emergencies and ensure quick referral to the next level of care. During the pandemic period there were losses of skilled health care workers from maternity and neonatal wards and the Department developed the online curriculum to support the health care workers who were allocated to maternity and neonatal wards.
To date 1752 health care workers were trained through that program and additional staff trained through the face-to-face sessions on courses like Essential Steps of Management of Obstetric Emergency (ESMOE), Helping Babies Breath (HBB) and Management of small and sick neonates (MSSN).

The solution to address neonatal deaths to Prematurity is attained through the implementation of Kangaroo mother care services for mothers who delivered prematurely.

The solution to address neonatal deaths due to Neonatal infections is addressed by

close monitoring of the neonatal infections in the wards,
screening of small and sick babies for possible nosocomial infections and strengthening the infection surveillance systems in the unit.
An example of the successful implementation of strategy was in Tembisa hospital, in Gauteng Province, where the reported neonatal infections were reduced by 40% between 2020 and 2021. This is one of the best practices that can be rolled out to other hospitals with similar challenges of neonatal infections.

These three interventions are implemented as part of the clinical interventions to address the Neonatal Infections in the facilities.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2443

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the vacancy rate for (a) psychologists, (b) psychiatrists and (c) therapists (i) nationally and (ii) in each province; (2) what is the (a) vacancy rate for (i) child therapists, (ii) child psychologists and (iii) child psychiatrists and (b) budget allocation of his department towards mental health service provision in each province?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. According to the data drawn from the PERSAL System dated 31 July 2022, the tables below indicate the vacancy rate per province:

a) Psychologist

Total Vacant Posts

(1) Vacant Posts for (a) psychologists
	ECP	FSP	GAU	KZN	LIM	MPU	NDoH	NWP	NCP	WCP	Vacant Posts
CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	3	8
PSYCHOLOGIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	3	0	18	8	0	0	0	8	0	7	44
PSYCHOLOGIST (INTERN)	1	0	30	5	1	0	0	2	0	15	54
PSYCHOLOGIST	18	12	31	23	1	1	0	5	4	62	157
Grand Total	22	13	79	38	2	1	0	15	6	87	263

Total % of vacant posts

(1) Vacant Posts % for (a) psychologists
	ECP	FSP	GAU	KZN	LIM	MPU	NDoH	NWP	NCP	WCP	Vacancy rate %
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST	0.00	16.67	0.00	20.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	100.00	50.00	16.67
PSYCHOLOGIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	60.00	0.00	35.29	47.06	0.00	0.00	0.00	61.54	0.00	0.00	37.00
PSYCHOLOGIST (INTERN)	7.69	0.00	35.29	29.41	10.00	0.00	0.00	33.33	0.00	11.76	25.63
PSYCHOLOGIST	25.35	50.00	15.98	27.71	1.92	4.35	0.00	11.11	22.22	23.46	19.15
Grand Total	24.44	28.26	22.64	29.69	2.70	4.17	0.00	22.73	28.57	21.62	21.92

b) Psychiatrics

Due to the limited information on PERSAL System regarding occupation classifications and job titles the data as required is unavailable. The National Department has since requested the information from Provincial Departments of Health and awaits responses.

c) Therapists (All categories of Therapist)

Total Vacant Posts

(1) Vacant Posts for (c) Therapist
	ECP	FSP	GAU	KZN	LIM	MPU	NWP	NDoH	NCP	WCP	Grand Total
CHIEF DENTAL THERAPIST				4		1			1		6
CHIEF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	7	3		8			1		1	2	22
CHIEF PHYSIOTHERAPIST	2	2	4	3	1		1		1		14
CHIEF SPEECH THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST	1		1	1							3
CHIEF SPEECH THERAPIST		1		3			1				5
DENTAL THERAPIST	4	1	6	10	1	1					23
DEPUTY DIRECTOR:SPEECH THERAPIST & AUDIOLOGIST L11	15										15
HEALTH THERAPIST											0
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	44	8	50	30	4	6	12		14	19	187
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	4	1		27	1	1	5			1	40
PHYSIOTHERAPIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	15	1	1	27	1	2	4				51
PHYSIOTHERAPIST	37	12	17	31	2	5	9		11	13	137
SPEECH THERAPIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	1		1	22		1	1			2	28
SPEECH THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST (COMMUNITY SERV)	18	4	7	1	1	2					33
SPEECH THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST	26	2	5	1	2		3		1		40
SPEECH THERAPIST ASSISTANT											0
SPEECH THERAPIST		9	5	16		3	2		2	4	41
Grand Total	174	44	97	184	13	22	39	0	31	41	645

Total % of vacant posts

(1) Vacancy rate for (c) Therapists
Row Labels	ECP	FSP	GAU	KZN	LIM	MPU	NWP	NCP	WCP	Vacancy rate %
CHIEF DENTAL THERAPIST	0.0	0.0	0.0	57.1	0.0	50.0	0.0	100.0	0.0	28.6
CHIEF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	63.6	15.0	0.0	22.2	0.0	0.0	12.5	50.0	10.0	13.7
CHIEF PHYSIOTHERAPIST	18.2	28.6	8.0	5.2	7.7	0.0	11.1	50.0	0.0	8.1
CHIEF SPEECH THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST	20.0	0.0	5.0	16.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	8.6
CHIEF SPEECH THERAPIST	0.0	50.0	0.0	27.3	0.0	0.0	25.0	0.0	0.0	18.5
DENTAL THERAPIST	30.8	50.0	16.2	20.0	3.7	7.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	14.5
DEPUTY DIRECTOR: SPEECH THERAPIST & AUDIOLOGIST L11	55.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	55.6
HEALTH THERAPIST	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	32.6	22.2	20.2	29.4	4.3	9.1	24.0	34.1	13.0	20.6
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	7.7	3.4	0.0	28.7	8.3	3.4	16.7	0.0	7.7	11.0
PHYSIOTHERAPIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	22.4	3.3	1.1	23.3	6.3	6.5	9.5	0.0	0.0	11.4
PHYSIOTHERAPIST	23.3	26.7	8.7	16.9	1.5	6.1	14.5	28.9	8.6	13.0
SPEECH THERAPIST (COMMUNITY SERVICE)	50.0	0.0	4.5	35.5	0.0	4.8	12.5	0.0	28.6	21.2
SPEECH THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST (COMMUNITY SERV)	48.6	26.7	15.6	100.0	11.1	25.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	26.0
SPEECH THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST	38.2	66.7	6.5	9.1	3.3	0.0	37.5	14.3	0.0	15.0
SPEECH THERAPIST ASSISTANT	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
SPEECH THERAPIST	0.0	64.3	11.6	30.8	0.0	37.5	13.3	40.0	10.5	22.8
Grand Total	29.5	22.8	10.1	22.9	3.3	7.4	14.9	19.9	9.5	15.8

2. (a)(i)(ii)(iii), (b) Due to the limited information on PERSAL System regarding occupation classifications and job titles the data as required is unavailable. The National Department has since requested the information from Provincial Departments of Health and awaits responses.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2441

Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the names of the health workers responsible for the swapping of two babies at the Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Durban and (b)(i) consequence management has been taken against them and (ii) are the details around the other child who died as the department says it is not linked to the swapping incident?

Source
Link

Reply:

According to the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health, the response is as follows:

a) It was the professional nurses with a qualification as Advanced Midwives;

b) (i) A formal disciplinary process has been instituted against the involved staff members.

(ii) This was a full term baby born to a 16 year old mother. There was late booking to the antenatal clinic with 4 visits. The newborn was born with fetal distress. Other problems were that of jaundice and parenteral diarrhoea with neonatal sepsis. The cause of death was neonatal sepsis.

END.

15 September 2022 - NW2438

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What total number of senior posts are vacant in each province, (b) for what period have the specified posts been vacant and (c) by what date(s) will the posts be (i) advertised and/or (ii) filled?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE: NO VACANT SENIOR POSTS.

2. LIMPOPO PROVINCE:

(a) There are Sixty Four (64) vacant SMS Posts.

(b) For what period have the specified posts been vacant – See table below:

NO	POST NAMES	POSTS WERE VACATED AS FOLLOWS	Period Posts Vacated
1.	HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT	2022/06/29	Less than 6 months
2.	DIRECTOR:FINANCIAL REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & REPORTING	2022/03/01	6 Months
3.	DIRECTOR: HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES	2020/09/11	2 Years
3.	DIRECTOR:PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES	2021/04/30	18 Months
4.	DIRECTOR:HEALTH CARE SUPPORT PROGRAMMES	2021/06/30	14 Months
5.	CHIEF DIRECTOR STANDARDS COMPLIANCE	2021/11/15	10 Months
6.	CHIEF DIRECTOR HEALTH SPECIAL PROGRAMMES	2021/08/31	12 Months
7.	DIRECTOR:HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT	2021/12/31
8.	DIRECTOR:DISTRICT HOSPITAL SERVICES	2021/05/31	9 Months
9.	DIRECTOR:LEGAL SERVICES	2020/01/31	More than 2 Years
10.	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2021/06/17	14 Months
11.	DIRECTOR:MOTHER CHILD WOMEN'S HEALTH INTEGRATED	2021/04/30	16 Months
12.	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2022/04/30	4 Months
13.	DIRECTOR:NURSING EDUCATION	2021/08/31	12 Months
14.	DEPUTY DIRECTOR PURCHASING MANAGEMENT	2019/04/30	More than 3 years
15.	DISTRICT EXECUTIVE MANAGER	2019/08/31	More than 2 years
16.	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2021/03/01	17 Months
17.	CHIEF DIRECTOR: STRATEGIC PLANNING POLICY MONITOR	2022/05/31	3 Months
19.	DIRECTOR:SUPPLY CHAIN COMPLIANCE	2020/03/31	More than 2 Years
20.	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2019/04/30
21.	DIRECTOR:HEALTH SPECIAL PROGRAMMES	2022/06/30

COMMENTS:

It should be noted that some of the SMS posts on the approved organizational structure were never filled. It should also be noted that the Department is in the process of reviewing its organizational structure and some posts will be abolished and some will be merged.

(c) by what date(s) will the posts be (i) advertised and/or (ii) filled?

COMMENTS:

It should be noted that other critical SMS posts will be filled in the next financial year (s) depending on the availability of funds.

Post Names	Number of Posts	Recruitment Status	To be filled in the current Financial Year
Chief Director: Strategic Planning	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
District Executive Manager: Sekhukhune District	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Director Legal Services: Provincial Head Office	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Director: Corporate Service: Vhembe District Office	1	Not Advertised as yet but post is approved by the Provincial Treasury for filling.	Yes
Director: HR Regulatory Compliance: Provincial Head Office	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Director: Records Management	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Chief Executive Officers: Letaba Hospital Thabamoopo Hospital	2	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Director: Nursing Education and Services	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Principal Nursing Education	1	Advertised during August 2022	Yes
Total	10

3. NORTH WEST PROVINCE

Vacant senior management Services (SMS) posts in the North West Department of Health are as follows;

Vacant SMS posts	Salary level	No of posts	Date post became vacant	Date of advertisement	Date of filling these posts
HIV Prevention & Support	13	1	18/06/2017	13/06/2021	01/10/2022
MEC Support	13	1	23/11/2021	N/A	N/A
Internal Control	13	1	31/10/2017	06/02/2022	01/10/2022
Demand & Acquisition	13	1	01/08/2022	11/09/2022	Three to 6 months after the advert.
Infrastructure Planning	13	1	30/06/2020	10/10/2021	01/11/2022
Human Resource Management	13	1	01/09/2022	11/09/2022	Three to 6 months after the advert.
CEO JST Hospital	14	1	01/01/2022	17/10/2021	01/09/2022
DDG: District Health Services	15	1	30/06/2020	16/05/2021	Will be re-advertised before end of October 2022
TOTAL		8

4. FREE STATE PROVINCE

Post Job Title Description	Institution	Salary Level	Vacant Date	Total Vacant	Practice Note 48. Submission validity as at 21 July 2022	Closing date/planned closing date	Planned filling date
Chief Financial Officer	Finance (Free State Department Of Health)	15	20210531	1	Submission for activation for 2022/2023 re-sent 31 August 2022	15-Aug-22	01-Dec-22

Director	Xhariep District Corporate & Health Support	13	20210331	1	Submission for activation for 2022/2023 re-sent 31 August 2022	30-Aug-21	01-Dec-22
Chief Executive Officer	Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Region Hosp (Phuthaditjha	13	20180401	1	Submission for activation for 2022/2023 re-sent 31 August 2022	19-Mar-21	01-Dec-23

TOTAL : 3

5. KWA-ZULU NATAL PROVINCE

#	COMPONENT DESCRIPTION	POST JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION	VACANT DATE	PERIOD VACANT IN YEARS	SALARY LEVEL	PROGRESS
	HO:BRANCH SPECIALISED SERVICES & CLINICAL SUPPORT	DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL:DC HEALTH SERVICES & INTER	2020/04/30	2.33	15	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO:BR DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES	CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER	2011/11/01	10.83	15
	INKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI CENTRAL HOSPITAL	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2021/12/31	0.67	15	The advert closed on the 31st May 2022
	HO:CHIEF DIRECTORATE HR DEVELOPMENT PLANNING & OD	CHIEF DIRECTOR:HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT	2022/04/30	0.33	14	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IGR & ISC SERVICES	CHIEF DIRECTOR:CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IGR & ISC	2017/06/30	5.17	14
	HO:CHIEF DIRECTORATE CLINICAL SUPPORT	CHIEF DIRECTOR:NORTH EASTERN AREA	2019/10/01	2.92	14	The advert closed on the 08th July 2022
	HO:CHIEF DIRECTORATE STRATEGIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES	CHIEF DIRECTOR:HEALTH SERVICE DEVELOPMENT	2018/12/01	3.75	14
	HO:CHIEF DIRECTORATE NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASE	CHIEF DIRECTOR	2019/01/31	3.58	14	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY	CHIEF DIRECTOR:INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY	2021/06/18	1.20	14
	HO:DIRECTORATE LABOUR RELATIONS	DIRECTOR:LABOUR RELATIONS	2019/12/31	2.67	13	Assumption of duty anticipated on the 01st October 2022
	HO: HR STRATEGY AND PLANNING	DIRECTOR:HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING	2019/11/01	2.83	13	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO:DIRECTORATE E-HEALTH	DIRECTOR:TELEMEDICINE	2017/09/30	4.92	13
	HO:DIRECTORATE HIV&AIDS COMMUN,ADVOCACY&CAMP	DIRECTOR	2019/04/01	3.42	13	The advert closed on the 06th April 2022
	HO:DIRECTORATE PHC	DIRECTOR:PHC SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT	2019/12/31	2.67	13
	HO:DIRECTORATE NUTRITION	DIRECTOR:NUTRITION	2018/10/31	3.83	13	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO:DIRECTORATE BUDGET PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT	DIRECTOR:BUDGET PLANNING DEVELOPMENT	2018/08/01	4.08	13	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO:DIRECTORATE IT GOVERNANCE & PROJECT MANAGEMENT	DIRECTOR:INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY	2020/09/30	1.92	13
	HO:DIR:SERVICE CONDITIONS	DIRECTOR:HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT	2022/07/01	0.17	13	The advert closed on the 08th July 2022
	HO:FRAUD MNGMT SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS & INSPECTOR	DIRECTOR:SPECIAL INVESTIGATION	2019/07/01	3.17	13	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.
	HO:DIR:ORGANISATIONAL RISK ASSURANCE AND MNGMT	DIRECTOR:INSTI SECURITY RISK MAN ANTI CORRUPTION	2022/08/01	0.08	13
	HO:DIRECTORATE SECURITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES	DIRECTOR	2019/02/01	3.58	13
	DIVISION:MEDICAL ORTHOTIC&PROSTHETIC SERVICES(MOP)	DIRECTOR:HOSPITAL SERVICE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT	2016/07/31	6.08	13
	HARRY GWALA: DISTRICT OFFICE	DIRECTOR:DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICE	2021/12/31	0.67	13
	GJGM REGIONAL HOSPITAL	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2020/04/30	2.33	13	Advert closing 2022/09/23
	LADYSMITH HOSPITAL	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	2021/01/22	1.61	13	There are no funds to fill this post in the current financial year.

6. MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION	POST JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION	VACANT DATE	SALARY LEVEL	PROGRESS
DIRECTOR-GENERAL	HEAD OF DEPARTMENT	20211031	16	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - GENERAL (FINANCIAL)	DDG: CFO	20220331	15	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
CHIEF DIRECTORATE:FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	CHIEF DIRECTOR: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	20220331	14	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIRECTORATE:FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING	DIRECTOR:FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING	20160301	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
SD:LOGISTICS MNGMNT	DIRECTOR : SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT	20190901	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIR:HR PRACT & ADMIN	DIRECTOR: HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTISES & ADMINISTR	2016	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
CD:INTEGR HLTH PLAN	CHIEF DIRECTOR: INTERGRATED HEALTH PLANNING	2020	14	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIR:RESEARCH&EPIDEM	DIRECTOR	NEVER FILLED	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIRECTOR : INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY	DIRECTOR	20190401	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
CD:CORPORATE SERVICE	DIRECTOR: SPECIAL PROJECTS	20200309	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
SD:LEGISL&CONTRACTS	DIRECTOR: LEGAL SERVICES	NEVER FILLED	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
CD:PRIM HLTH CARE	CHIEF DIRECTOR : PRIMARY HEALTH CARE	20210901	14	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIR: MATERNAL HEALTH	DIRECTOR	NEVER FILLED	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIR: MENTAL HEALTH	DIRECTOR	NEW POST AWAITING APPROVAL OF NEW STRUCTURE	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022
DIR: FORENSIC SERVICES	DIRECTOR	20190301	13	Advertised. Proposed assumption of duty 1 November 2022

TOTAL: 15

7. EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

Vacant funded posts	Salary Level	Total Vacant	by what date(s) will the posts be (i) advertised	by what date(s) will the posts be and/or (ii) filled?
CEO’s for Mthatha & Frontier Regional Hospital	14	2	Post was advertise on the 14 January 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 November 2022
CEO’s for Livingstone & Frere Tertiary Hospital	14	2	Post was advertised on the 14 January 2022	Interviews are taking place on the 15 September, there after they are going to competency assessment. Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 November 2022
CEO for Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital	14	1	Post was advertised on the 14 January 2022	Shortlisting will take place on the 26 September. Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
CEO for Tower Mental Hospital	14	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
CEO for Tower Mental Hospital	14	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
Director: Nursing	13	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
Director: Internal Audit	13	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
Director: Salary Administration	13	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
Director: Legal Services	13	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
Director: HRM	13	1	30 September 2022	Proposed assumption of duty date: 01 December 2022
Total		12

COMMENTS:

The selection process for CEOs for Mthatha & Frontier Hospital started on 18th – 22nd of July 2022 and interviews were on the 4th – 5th of August 2022. Recommended candidates are currently being subjected to competency assessments and personnel suitability checks are being concluded.

Shortlisting for Chief Executive Officers for Livingstone & Frere Tertiary Hospital is scheduled for the week of the 5th – 9th of September 2022.

8. NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

Job Title Description	Salary level	No of posts	Date post became vacant	Date of advert/filled
Deputy Director-General	15	1	20200831	post advertised by NC Office of the Premier
Chief Director: MEC Office	14	1	20191001	post to be filled in accordance with priority list as agreed upon with NC Provincial Treasury
Chief Director: Priority Programmes		1	20190801
Chief Director: CEO: Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital		1	20200901
Chief Director: District Health Services		1	20220131	post advertised with closing date 26 August 2022
Chief Director: Corporate Services		1	20210201	post advertised with closing date 05 August 2022
Chief Director: Provincial Hospital Services & EMS		1	20210831	post to be filled in accordance with priority list as agreed upon with NC Provincial Treasury
Chief Director: Strategic Planning & Analysis		1	20211001
Director: Office of the DDG	13	1	20160601
Director: Facility Planning and Maintenance		1	20160701
Director: Quality Assurance		1	20220601
Director: Rehabilitation		1	20220601
Director: Financial Accounting		1	20210727
Director: MCYWH		1	20170901	post was re-advertised
Director: Communicable Diseases		1	20170101	post to be filled in accordance with priority list as agreed upon with NC Provincial Treasury
Director: Human Resources Management		1	20191101
Director: Legal Services		1	20180831	post was advertised and interviews were conducted, submission for appointment in circulation
Total		17

9. GAUTENG PROVINCE

Response outstanding. It will be submitted once received.

END.

Questions and Replies

14 October 2022 - NW3361

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

14 October 2022 - NW3276

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3483

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3357

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3356

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3346

Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3290

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3408

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3270

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3234

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3210

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3205

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3154

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3101

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3089

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3090

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

13 October 2022 - NW3502

Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2793

McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2879

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2862

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2861

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2860

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2858

Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2831

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2792

McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

28 September 2022 - NW2747

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

Reply:

27 September 2022 - NW2882