Questions & Replies: Health
2010-07-19
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION NO. 3566
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
What (a) are the threats that have been identified by his department with regard to the impact of climate change and (b) initiatives to promote adaptation to climate change is his department involved in?
NW4406EREPLY:
(a) The threats that have been identified includes extreme weather-related effects
(droughts and floods); air pollution related effects; air-borne biological particles (aero-allergens): pollen, moulds, spores, etc; effects of food and water shortages; demographics and socio-economic disruptions; natural disaster (eg. mud slides); ecological disruptions and changes (food chain) and rising sea levels that may affect a third of the world's population.
(b) The Department of Health has developed a National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan, which is currently in a draft form and will be finalized after consultation with the relevant stakeholders. A draft climate change and health information, education and communication (IEC) material has been developed and forwarded to the provinces for inputs and comments. Once finalized, the IEC material will be circulated to the provinces, municipalities and other stakeholders for educational and promotional purposes to the communities and public at large.
QUESTION NO. 3562
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any pilot projects have been undertaken with regard to the implementation of lean health care; if so, in each case, (a) where have the pilot projects been conducted, (b) what was the cost of each pilot project, (c) where did the funding come from and (d) what were the findings of the project;
(2) whether he intends expanding the concept of lean health care; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW4402EREPLY:
(1) A "lean" is a generic methodology for improved quality management rather than a system of health care. The current training courses have been carried out by the Lean Institute for Africa associated with the University of Cape Town School of Business which won a tender advertised by the Department in late 2009. Training in this methodology has been undertaken in terms of the contract with hospital management teams.
(a) Training has been provided recently at 18 hospitals covering all 9 provinces, selected by the provinces themselves, largely from the most disadvantaged districts such as Empilisweni, Midland, All Saints, Mount Ayliff, Holy Cross, Butterworth (Eastern Cape); JG Jooster (Western Cape); Ceza, Manguzi, Umphumulo, Newcastle (KwaZulu/Natal); Tshwaragano, Kuruman Complex (Northern Cape); Tonga (Mpumalanga); Dr CN Phatudi (Limpopo); Kalafong (Gauteng); Thebe (Free State); and Moses Kotane, Vryburg (North West).
(b) The total cost of these 18 training courses will be R1 342 755;
(c) These projects were funded through a grant from the Belgian Government through their Belgian Technical Development Agency;
(d) The training courses have not yet been completed as a final session is still planned in each hospital. Results are therefore not yet available.
(2) Once the current round of training is completed and the results have been assessed, a decision on expansion will be taken.
QUESTION NO. 3497
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
What (a) is the (i) actual and (ii) optimal staff levels of the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Health Diseases for each specific category of employee and (b) funding has the commission (i) requested and (ii) received over the past three financial years?
NW4336EREPLY:
(a) (i)
The establishment of the CCOD as at 31 March 2010 was as follows:
DESIGNATION | LEVEL | No. OF POSTS | FILLED | VACANT |
Commissioner (Director) | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Assistant Director (Deputy Commissioner) | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Senior State Accountant (Inspector) | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Senior Administration Officer | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Administration Officer | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Chief Administration Clerk | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Senior Administration Clerk | 5-6 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Administration Clerk | 3-4 | 20 | 17 | 3 |
Switchboard Operator | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Secretary | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Driver | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Cleaner | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Messenger | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
TOTAL | 41 | 34 | 7 |
It should be noted that there was an acting Commissioner for the period 1 October 2008 until 31 May 2010. The new Commissioner was appointed on the 1st of June 2010.
(ii) The study that was completed in the financial year ending 31 March 2010 recommended a new structure for Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD). The new structure has been approved. The current vacancy level is 44%. The new structure indicating the vacancies is as follows:
DESIGNATION | LEVEL | No. OF POSTS | FILLED | VACANT |
Chief Director | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Director | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Deputy directors | 11-12 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Assistant Director | 9-10 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Senior State Accountant (Inspector) | 8 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
Senior Administration Officer | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Administration Officer | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
Senior Administration Clerk | 5-6 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
Administration Clerk | 3-4 | 20 | 13 | 6 |
Driver | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Cleaner | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Messenger | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
TOTAL | 50 | 28 | 22 |
(b) (i) For the current year CCOD submitted a request for additional funding. The total additional funds requested by the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases are as follows;
2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | |
Staff costs | 2,087,000,00 | 2,259,000,00 | 2,418,000,00 |
System enhancements | 8,000,000,00 | 500,000,00 | 500,000,00 |
Total | 10, 087,000,00 | 2,759,000,00 | 2,918,000,00 |
The CCOD is awaiting the response from Treasury and the Department of Health on this request.
(ii) The operating budget for the CCOD for the past three years was as follows:
2008/9 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | |
Compensation of staff | 3 742 000 | 3 948 000 | 5 298 000 |
Goods and services | 4 374 000 | 4 487 000 | 3 518 000 |
Transfers | 2 355 000 | 2 479 000 | 2 620 000 |
Capital machinery | 546 000 | 575 000 | 609 000 |
Total | 11 017 000 | 11 489 000 | 12 045 000 |
QUESTION NO. 3496
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(a) What are the reasons for the delay in the release of the National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey of 2009, (b) what is his department's policy on the time-period within which a survey result is released and (c) on what dates were previous surveys released within the 2009-10 financial year?
NW4335EREPLY:
(a) The delay in the release was caused by late start in the process, of data capturing and data processing and cleaning. Data capturing is done at provincial offices and was completed by the end of February 2010. Every year data capturers are employed for one month to capture data. The approval for employment of data capturers by the UNAIDS was received on 25 January 2010. By 19 April 2010 the cleaned national dataset was circulated to individual members of the HIV Advisory Expert Group for their independent data analysis. The first version of the draft report was then circulated to the members of the HIV Advisory Expert Group. Thereafter, a revised report was re-circulated to senior managers responsible for HIV and AIDS Programme for final comments. The final draft report was submitted for the Minister's consideration during October 2010.
(b) The target date for the release of the survey result is always set as the end of March of a financial year.
(c) The 2008 Antenatal HIV Survey Report was released on 05 October 2009.
QUESTION NO. 3459
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(a) How many employees of (i) his department and (ii) any entities reporting to his department who are on level 11 salary scale and above have been suspended with full pay (aa) in the 2009-10 financial year and (bb) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what is the total amount of money that was paid by his department in respect of these salaries?
NW4294EREPLY:
(a) (i) (aa) Two (2)
(bb) None
(ii) (aa) None for the Council for Medical Schemes, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), nor for the South African Medical Research Council (MRC).
(bb) None
(b) R1 349 075.26
QUESTION NO. 3448
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department promotes healthy lifestyles at schools through (a) compulsory physical education and (b) any other specified programmes; if not, why not; if so, (i) what funding is his department contributing towards promoting healthy lifestyles and (ii) what are the further relevant details?
NW4282EREPLY:
(a) Yes, the Department of Health does promote healthy lifestyles at schools, and physical activity is one of the components of the Programme.
(b) The healthy lifestyles Programme is the foundation of the health promoting schools initiative. The healthy lifestyles Programme has 5 key components, namely, the promotion of physical activity, good nutrition, tobacco prevention and control, prevention of substance abuse which includes alcohol, as well as life skills education. The implementation of the healthy lifestyles programme is dependent on the human and resource capacity of the provincial health departments and the specific needs of the school.
(i) The Department contributed R1 110 234.75 towards the promotion of good nutrition in 18 schools by facilitating the implementation of pilot model school-based food garden projects in the Provinces (3 primary schools per province) of Limpopo, Eastern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, Free State, and Northern Cape. A total of 14 schools in Gauteng were funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
(ii) The implementation of the pilot school-based food garden projects as one of the five components of healthy lifestyles will be rolled out to the two remaining provinces (6 schools), namely KwaZulu/Natal and Western Cape (3 primary schools per province) in the new financial year.
QUESTION NO. 3447
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether the SA Aids Vaccine Initiative has commenced with clinical trials; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the estimated time period before a vaccine will be made public and (b) are the further relevant details?
NW4281EREPLY:
SA AIDS Vaccine Initiative has commenced with clinical trials.
(a) SAAVI trials, like all clinical trials, go through a sequence of four different stages of development and testing conducted over a number of years. The first two stages were laboratory and animal studies. SAAVI vaccines have started with the third stage which consists of three phases. The vaccines are currently at Phase 1 clinical trial testing among humans. It is difficult to predict when a vaccine would be available.
(b) Further relevant details on trials with SAAVI Vaccines:
(i) Culmination of eight year's hard work saw the launch of HVTN 073/SAAVI 102, a phase I clinical trial testing the SAAVI DNA-C2 and MVA vaccines. This trial includes participants across two sites in South Africa and participants in the United States.
(ii) The Full Protocol Amendment to HVTN 073/SAAVI 102: A phase I placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of SAAVI DNA-C2 vaccine boosted by SAAVI MVA-C vaccine, with or without Novartis Clade C gp140 vaccine with MF59 adjuvant, in HIV uninfected healthy vaccine-naïve adults participants in South Africa and the United States was submitted to the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on 4 November 2010. The amended protocol is also to be submitted to the South African Medicines Control Council for approval.
(iii) The final protocol for the HVTN 086/SAAVI 103 clinical trial a: Phase I placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of SAAVI DNA-C2, SAAVI MVA-C and Novartis subtype C gp140 with MF59 adjuvant in various vaccination schedules in HIV-uninfected healthy vaccine-naïve adult participants in South Africa. This trial will target adult participants and is a collaboration between DAIDS, SAAVI/MRC and Novartis.
QUESTION NO. 3442
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether he proposed changes to the layout of the death certificate forms in order to allow medical practitioners more space to describe in full the causes of death; if so, when was this done; if not,
(2) whether the current format of the death certificates makes provision for accurately recording the causes of death; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW4276EREPLY:
(1) The Department of Health and some members of the Ministerial Advisory Committees on Child and Maternal Health participated in the process to revise the layout of the BI-1663 death certification form which was done during 2008 and 2009. As a result of this process the layout and part of the content in Section G of the form were revised. The revised form is tagged as DHA-1663.
(2) The current format of the DHA-1663 makes provision for accurate recording of the cause of death. The cause of death section of the form has been subdivided into sections G1 and G2. The major change is distinction made between the deaths occurring after the first week of birth and the still births and deaths occurring within one week of birth.
Section G1 covers all deaths occurring after one week of birth. Section G3 makes provision for following:
(i) recording the immediate cause (final disease or condition resulting in death);
(ii) sequentially listing conditions, if any, that led to the immediate cause of death;
(iii) entering the underlying cause of death that is a disease or injury that initiated events resulting in death;
(iv) writing other significant conditions that contributed to the death but not resulting in the underlying cause;
(v) In case of a female death, the form allows for specification whether the death occurred during pregnancy or up to 42 days prior to the death;
(vi) Lastly the method used to ascertain the cause of death is indicated from various options provided or must be specified. A new option response was added in the revised form.
Section G2 has been created in the revised forms to record 15 new additional variables on prenatal deaths. These variables cover the details of the mother and that of a foetus or infant. Section G makes provision for the causes of death to be recorded under the following headings:
(i) main disease or conditions in foetus or infant;
(ii) other diseases or conditions in foetus or infant;
(iii) main maternal disease or conditions in foetus or infant;
(iv) other maternal diseases or conditions affecting foetus or infant; and
(v) other relevant circumstance; and
(vi) lastly autopsy information can be indicated from the three response options provided in the form
It important to emphasize that accurate recording is to be reinforced through continual training of officials on death notification form. In addition a poster has been designed focusing on the causes of death section. This poster is to be distributed in all facilities. It is also important to ensure regular feedback about the most common inaccuracies in the completion of the death notification form.
QUESTION NO. 3440
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether any transfers were made to provinces (a) in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09, and (iii) 2009-10 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available without his department having received and approved provincial plans; if so, in each case, (i) which provinces failed to submit their business plans and (ii) what reasons were given for the failure to submit business plans?
NW4274EREPLY:
(a) (i) The information for the 2007/2008 financial year has already been archived.
(ii) For the 2008/2009 financial year, -
Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Grant: All provinces submitted approved business plan before the beginning of the financial year except Western Cape which was submitted after the deadline.
Forensic Pathology Services Grant: All provinces submitted their business plans before the financial year.
Health Professionals Training and Development Grant: All provinces submitted their business plans before the financial year with exception of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, which were only submitted after the due date.
Hospital Revitalization Grant: This grant does not have Business Plans, but rather Project Implementation Plans (PIPs), which were submitted timeously by provinces.
National Tertiary Services Grant: This grant does not have Business Plans, but rather Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which were submitted timeously by provinces.
(iii) For the 2009/2010 financial year, -
Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Grant: All provinces submitted approved business plan before the beginning of the financial year.
Forensic Pathology Services Grant: All provinces submitted their business plans before the financial year.
Health Professionals Training and Development Grant: All provinces submitted their business plans before the financial year with exception of Eastern Cape, which submitted in June 2009.
Hospital Revitalization Grant: This grant does not have Business Plans, but rather Project Implementation Plans (PIPs), which were submitted timeously by provinces.
National Tertiary Services Grant: This grant does not have Business Plans, but rather Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which were submitted timeously by provinces.
(b) For the period 1 April 2010
Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Grant: All provinces submitted approved business plans before the beginning of the financial year.
Forensic Pathology Services Grant: All provinces submitted their business plans before the financial year.
Health Professionals Training and Development Grant: All provinces submitted their business plans before the financial year with exception of Eastern Cape, who submitted on 15th April 2010, and North West Province, who submitted on 9th April 2010.
Hospital Revitalization Grant: This grant does not have Business Plans, but rather Project Implementation Plans (PIPs), which were submitted timeously by provinces.
National Tertiary Services Grant: This grant does not have Business Plans, but rather Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which were submitted timeously by provinces.
(i) All provinces submitted their Business Plans, Eastern Cape and North West Provinces submitted plans after the due date.
(ii) No specific reasons were given for the late submission of the Business Plans
QUESTION NO. 3439
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department receives annual reports from (a) Forensic Chemistry Laboratories, (b) the SA National Aids Trust, (c) the Mines and Works Compensation Fund and (d) the Health and Welfare Sector Education Authority; if not, (i) why not in each case and (ii) when last did his department receive annual reports from each specified entity; if so,
(2) whether he will table these reports in the National Assembly; if not, why not; if so, when?
NW4273EREPLY:
(1) (a) The Forensic Chemistry Laboratories are part of the National Department of Health and as such do no produce their own Annual Report.
(b) The SA National Aids Trust has been dormant ever since it was established. New trustees were appointed and the master issued letters of Authority on the 12 November 2010. The Trust is therefore in the very initial stages of being operational.
(c) The Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases submitted their Annual Report to the Minister of Health, who tabled the report in the National Assembly.
(d) Yes, the Department has received Annual Reports from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) since its inception. The HWSETA annual reports were presented in each respective year to the Portfolio Committee overseen by the Department of Labour. Since last year (2009), the Annual Reports are tabled at the Portfolio Committee overseeing the Department of Higher Education and Training.
As the HWSETA is not reporting in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998 as amended, to the Minister of Health, he has not tabled the Annual reports from this public entity in Parliament.
(2) The Annual Report for the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases for the financial year ended 31st March 2010 was tabled in the National Assembly on the 30th September 2010.
As the HWSETA is not reporting in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998 as amended, to the Minister of Health, the Minister has not tabled the Annual reports from this public entity in Parliament.
QUESTION NO. 3438
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the budget allocation of R57 307 000 for maternal, child and women's health is sufficient to meet its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with regard to child and maternal mortality rates; if not, (a) what amount is needed in order to meet its MDGs and (b) what is the current projected estimation of child and maternal mortality rate levels that will be reached by 2015; if so, why is his department failing to reach the 2015 MDGs;
(2) whether any costing was conducted as to the budgetary needs to reach it's MDGs for these rates when the MDGs were first agreed to; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does his department anticipate reaching these MDGs; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW4272EREPLY:
(1) No. The amount of R57.3 million referred to is an amount allocated to the Cluster: Maternal, Child and Women's Health at the National Department of Health. R30 million of this amount has been allocated to and spent on the purchase of two new vaccines. The other monies are for the support of the Ministerial Committees on Maternal, Perinatal and Child Mortality. Provinces have their own budgets for service delivery, both at primary and secondary level.
(a) It is not possible to estimate what amount of money will be needed to meet the health-related MDGs, because achievement of the health-related MDGs is not only dependent on financial resources and/or the efforts of the National Department of Health. Achievement of the health-related MDGs is dependent on a multitude of factors, not least among them is the social and economic situations that affect women and children, such as availability of clean and safe water, adequate nutrition, safe transport and safety within society. Health related activities include immunisation against infectious and communicable diseases such as HIV, malaria, meningitis, measles and polio. The other sectors involved in improving the health of South Africans and thus reach the MDGs are:
· Social Development – care of needy women and children
· Water Affairs – potable water
· Agriculture – sustainable nutrition
· Justice and Constitutional Development – legal protection of children
· Basic Education – safety and education of children
· Higher Education – production of health and other workers
· Rural Development – improvement of social conditions in rural areas
· Housing – adequate and safe housing for reduction of exposure to elements and reduce respiratory tract infections
· Transport – accessible roads in cases of emergencies (maternity cases), reduction of traffic deaths, prevention of HIV infection
· Finance – financing the health system to promote health and prevent disease
· Home Affairs – birth and death registration
· Safety and Security – prevention of crime-related injuries and mortalities
· Minerals and Energy – migrant labour system, reduction of communicable conditions
· Trade and Industry – sustainable supply of commodities
(b) The ambitious target for 2015 is a maternal mortality ratio of 100 per 100 000 live births and under-5 mortality rate of 38 per 1 000 live births. These rates are dependent on the cooperation of all citizens and all sectors in society. Achievement of the health-related MDGs requires a multi-faceted approach and effort.
(2) There was estimation that if developing countries allocated 15 percent of their GDP to health, the health sector would be able to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially maternal and child mortality (Abudja Declaration).
(a) The MDGs are aimed at mobilising whole countries. It therefore is the aim of Government, civil society, private sector and business to improve the social and economic situation in the country to collaborate for the improvement of health for all.
(b) The National Service Delivery Agreement focuses on the health related MDGs, namely maternal and child mortality and addressing the HIV-TB dual epidemic. The signing of agreements with other Ministries is aimed at mobilising all partners in meeting the commitment towards this goal. Other partners have also been invited to play their role in improving South African health and well-being so that all can enjoy a long and healthy life. The resources will also be spent in the various Government departments towards this.
QUESTION NO. 3412
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 38)
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether each province has a fully operational oncology unit; if not, (a) which provinces do not have a fully operational oncology unit, (b) when was the unit closed down, (c) why was each unit closed down and (d)(i) where are patients referred to for treatment and (ii) how are patients transported to the referring hospitals; if so, (aa) which hospitals in each province have such oncology units and (bb) what specific services are offered at each oncology unit?
NW4250EREPLY:
(a) There are two provinces without fully functional oncology, namely Mpumalanga and Northern Cape. However, Northern Cape Province offers limited services in the form of Medical Oncology at the Kimberly hospital only.
(b) The two provinces never had oncology units, and thus no unit was ever closed.
(c) As stated above, these two provinces never had oncology units, and the reason to close down any is not applicable.
(d) (i) Patients in Mpumalnga are referred to the Steve Biko Academic hospital in Pretoria, and patients in Northern Cape are referred to the Universitas hospital oncology unit situated at the old National Hospital in Bloemfontein.
(ii) Patients are transported to the referring hospitals by planned patient transport ambulances and/ or buses provided for by the state.
(aa) The other seven provinces have fully operational Oncology units offering both Radiation and Medical Oncology services (See table below).
Province | Hospital(s) with oncology unit |
Gauteng | · Charlotte Maxeke (Johannesburg Hospital) · Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Pretoria Academic hospital) |
Limpopo | · Polokwane/Mankweng hospital |
Western Cape | · Groote Schuur, and · Tygerberg Hospital |
Eastern Cape | · Livingstone , and · Frere Hospital |
Free State | · Universitas Hospital (national district hospital) |
KwaZulu-Natal | · Addington, · Inkosi Albert Luthuli, and · Greys Hospital |
North-West | · Klerksdorp hospital (Klerksdorp complex) |
(bb) The oncology units listed above offers both Radiation and Medical oncology services. Kimberly hospital in the Northern Cape Province offers only limited Medical oncology services which do not require a fully fledged oncology unit.
QUESTION NO. 3408
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 38)
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any studies have been conducted to establish whether aluminium in drinking water is linked to higher incidence of dementia in our population; if not, whether he intends conducting such a study; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the presence of aluminium in drinking water at any particular level poses any risk to public health; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW4246EREPLY:
(1) Yes, epidemiological and physiological studies have been conducted by organisation and institutions such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the South African National Standards (SANS) i.e. with specific reference to the second edition of the South African Water Quality guidelines for Domestic Water Use, 1996, however none has been conducted by the Department of Health per se. The department has no intentions either of conducting such a study in a near future as there hasn't been any need to do so especially because according to the SA Water quality guidelines there's no need to mitigate against effects of aluminium ingestion since it is rapidly eliminated as aluminium phosphate through faeces and urine. The department would nonetheless rather cooperate and collaborate with other organisations such as those mentioned here above in any research work relating to the association of the presence of Aluminium in drinking water with higher incidence of Dialisis dementia in our population.
(2) According to the WHO Guidelines for Drinking water Quality, some studies have made an association between dementia and the presence of aluminium in drinking water, notwithstanding the balance in epidemiological and physiological evidence at present does not support a causal role for aluminium in dementia and it is against this background that no health based guideline value is recommended.
It is also acknowledged that there's a need for further studies where confirmation can be made with analytical epidemiological studies. It is further stated that the major effects adverse effects in water use for domestic purposes are aesthetic which involves if in excess of 0,2 mg/l may course discoloration in presence of iron and manganese as well as deposition of Aluminium hydroxide floc in the distribution system.
One other noteworthy point is that much as some studies implicated the prolonged exposure to aluminium to chronic neurological disorders, it remains unclear whether the presence of aluminium courses such condition or whether it is simply an indicator of other factors, therefore the link between aluminium and adverse effects on human health remains to be conclusively identified.
QUESTION NO. 3399
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 38)
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
With regard to the 2010-11 budget in which R7,4 billion is transferred in programme 5 to hospitals from the national tertiary grant, (a) what amount was transferred to each hospital and (b) for what services?
NW4234EREPLY:
(a) The Table in Annexure A reflects the details in this regard.
(b) The Table in Annexure B reflects the details in this regard.
QUESTION NO. 3255
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 12 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 37)
Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) With reference to the annual negotiations at the Public Servants Bargaining Council in the (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 financial years, (i) what was his department's mandate with regard to the categories of nurses and medical staff to be included in salary adjustments according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), (ii) what was agreed at the Bargaining Council with respect to the categories of nurses and medical staff to be included in the OSD salary benefits package and (iii) what categories of nurses and medical staff actually benefited from the OSD salary benefits package;
(2) whether the amount that his department anticipated paying nurses and medical staff was according to the OSD agreement the same as the amount that his department ended up paying; if not, in each case, (a) why not and (b) what was the difference between the anticipated and the actual cost to his department for the OSD salary benefits package for nurses and medical staff?
NW4071EREPLY:
(1) (i) The Department's mandate was to develop a framework for occupational specific remuneration and career progression dispensation to address challenges of retention and recruitment of health professionals in the public sector, making provision for:
(a) creation of unique remuneration salary scales with salary overlaps between work levels;
(b) consolidation of non-pensionable benefits and allowances into salary;
(c) provide pay progression dispensation based on performance;
(d) provide grade progression opportunities with recognition of accelerated grade progression based on performance; and
(e) create career path opportunities based on competencies, experience and performance.
The Department's final mandate is reflected in the agreements signed in the PHSDSBC Resolution 3 of 2007 (nurses), PHSDSBC Resolution 3 of 2009 and 1 of 2010 (medical doctors, dentists, specialists, pharmacists and emergency medical care personnel)
(ii) Nurses –
The agreement is reflected in PHSDSBC Resolution 3 of 2007 as implemented with effect from 1 July 2007.
Medical Cluster –
PHSDSBC Resolution 3 of 2009 catered for the following categories: Medical Officers, Medical Specialists, Dentists, Dental Specialists, Pharmacologists, Pharmacy Assistants, Pharmacists and Emergency Medical Services Personnel (herein referred to as the Medical Cluster). This Agreement is reflected in the PHSDSBC Resolution 3 of 2009 as implemented with effect from 1 July 2008.
(iii) PHSDSBC Resolution 3 of 2007 catered for Professional Nurses (Registered Nurses), Staff Nurses (Enrolled Nurses), and Nursing Assistants (Enrolled Nursing Assistants) as defined in Sections 30 and 31 of the Nursing Act and employed in the Public Service.
(2) No.
(a) This was the first OSD to be paid within the Department of Health in 2007. The OSD was calculated on 96 000 nurses when the actual figure ended up being 108 000. Secondly, there was incorrect coding of occupational classifications.
(b) The difference between the anticipated and the actual costs to the Department for the OSD salary benefits package for nurses was R700 million at the end of the financial year 2007/2008.
OSD for the Medical Cluster
The amount that the Department anticipated paying the medical cluster was according to the OSD Agreement the same as the amount that the sector ended up paying. The costing information was also verified by an independent body of Actuarial Scientists and as a result there was no significant difference between the anticipated and the actual costs to the Department for the OSD salary benefits package for medical staff, although the annual cost living adjustments were not included in the time as this information was not available and still subject to collective bargaining.
QUESTION NO. 3215
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 12 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 37)
Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
What is the (a) total cost and (b) number of copies of each (i) annual report and (ii) report on strategic plans that was produced by (aa) his department and (bb) any of its entities in the 2009-10 financial year?
NW4029EREPLY:
(aa) (a) The total cost of producing –
(i) The Department's Annual Report for 2009/2010 was R134 000.
(ii) The Department's Strategic Plan for 2009/2010 was R184 326.56.
(b) Number of copies produced –
(i) 1 500 for the Annual Report for 2009/2010; and
(ii) 2 100 of the Strategic Plan for 2009/2010-2011/2012
(bb) The Department is not responsible for producing Annual Reports and Strategic Plans for its entities. These are produced by the entities independently.
QUESTION NO. 3210
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 12 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 37)
Mr J J Mc Gluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department awarded any tenders to a certain company (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the value of each tender awarded and (b) are the further relevant details;
(2) whether these tenders have been complied with by the company; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW4023EREPLY:
(1) No contract was awarded by this Department to any company called Intaka Holdings
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(2) Not applicable
QUESTION NO. 3207
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 12 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 37)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the SA Nursing Council amended the training curriculum of nurses by excluding any aspects of the curriculum in the past three years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what aspects of the curriculum were excluded, (b) when was each of these aspects excluded and (c) what are the reasons for the decision to exclude these aspects of the curriculum;
(2) whether any of these exclusions will have an effect on nurses' ability to provide care to (a) the aged and (b) other vulnerable groups; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3962EREPLY:
(1) No.
The role of the South African Nursing Council is to control and exercise authority in respect of all matters affecting the education and training of Registered Nurses, Midwives and Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries. The council also sets education and practice standards, and it is also responsible for inspecting and approving nursing education programmes.
(a) None
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Not Applicable
(2) The Council provides guides or directives, not the curriculum. Guides are broad enough to allow Provinces to address their health care needs. No amendments have been done to the current guides. New guides will be developed in the near future by experts in nursing to be in line with the nursing qualifications that are NQF (2008) compliant. Inputs will be sought from all nursing stakeholders.
(a) No
(b) No, please see above response as there are no planned changes in the
training curriculum of nurses.
QUESTION NO. 3141
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 November 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 36)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many councillors currently serve on the Medicines Control Council (MCC), (b) what are their (i) names and (ii) qualifications and (c) on what date were they first appointed as councillors;
(2) whether there is a limit to the number of terms any one person can serve as a councillor; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the limit and (b) from which date did this limit come into effect?
NW3941EREPLY:
(1) (a) 24 councillors;
(b) and (c) The following table reflects the details in this regard
Name | Qualifications | Appointment to MCC |
Dr. S Banoo | * B.Pharm | 01/04/1996 |
Mr. J Berger | * Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch) | 01/11/12009 |
Prof. M Blockman | * B.Pharm | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. CM Dangor | * BSc (Pharmacy) | 01/04/1995 |
Prof. PFK Eagles | * B.Sc Pharm | 01/04/1996 |
Dr. JH Groenewald | * BSc (Biochemistry and Chemistry) | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. BB Hoek | * Paediatrics and Child Health Neonatology | 01/04/1990 |
Dr. NE Khomo | * Registered as Specialist in Community Health with HPCSA | 01/04/1996 |
Prof. HMJ Leng | * Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) | 2/1/2010 |
Dr. Z Makatini | * BSc (Hons) (Biochemistry) | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. R Masekela | * Paediatrics | 2/1/2010 |
Dr. NM Mbelle | * BSc (Biology & Chemistry) | 01/04/2001 |
Dr. UC Mehta | * Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree | 01/11/2003 |
Dr. E Mokantla | *BVmch | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. ET Mokgokong | * Obstetrician & Gynaecology | 01/04/2001 |
Prof. V Naidoo | * Specialist Veterinary Pharmacologist | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. DW Oliver | * B Pharm | 01/11/2003 |
Dr. T Pillay | * B.Pharm | 01/11/2005 |
Prof. P Ruff | * MBBCh | 2/1/2010 |
Mr. G Steel | * BPharm | 01/05/2002 |
Prof. OA Towobola | * Intermediate Diploma in Medical Sciences (LONDON) | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. BW van de Wal | * MBChB | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. RB Walker | * B.Pharm | 2/1/2010 |
Prof. A Walubo | * MBChB | 2/1/2010 |
(2) The Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965) stipulates that any one person can serve as a councillor for a period of two (2) terms.
(a) The limit for one term is five (5) years;
(b) The limit came into effect from the commencement of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act, 1997 in April 2003.
QUESTION NO. 3088
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 34)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the Office of Standards Compliance is fully functional; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether he has received any report from this office; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3814EREPLY:
(1) No, the Office of Standards Compliance is not fully functional due to the fact that an amendment to the National Health (2003) is needed first. The Amendment Bill to effect this change has been drafted, approved by Cabinet and is due to be gazetted for public inputs in January 2011.
(2) No.
QUESTION NO. 3059
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 34)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the Medicines Control Council intends introducing a grandfather clause with regard to the registration of any medication; if so, (a) what type of medication, (b) how many products will be affected, (c) what are the reasons for the grandfather clause and (d) when will it come into effect;
(2) what are the legal consequences for his department if medicines registered using the grandfather clause do not meet (a) quality, (b) safety and (c) efficacy standards?
NW3779EREPLY:
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable
QUESTION NO. 3058
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 34)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What are the reasons for not including the Medicines Control Council (MCC) in her department's 2009-10 annual report;
(2) whether any progress has been made with regard to the restructuring of the MCC; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the reasons for the delay; if so, by which date will the new structure be put in place?
NW3778EREPLY:
(1) It was an unfortunate and innocent omission and error not to include the MCC the Department's 2009-10 annual report.
(2) Work on restructuring the MCC is in progress. Enabling legislative amendments, and structural adjustment frameworks are being drafted. Needs assessment has been conducted.
QUESTION NO. 3057
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 34)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many of the 20 000 complementary medicines submitted by producers have been assessed and (b) what does this assessment entail;
(2) whether any of these complementary medicines have been evaluated for (a) quality, (b) safety and (c) efficacy; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when will it be evaluated; if so, how many have (aa) been evaluated for each of these specified aspects and (bb) failed to meet the require standard of each of these specified aspects? NW3777E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Approximately 155 000 submissions for complementary medicines have been received since the publication of the call up notice of February 2002. Initially, there was no evaluation of the submissions with the applicant being provided with an acknowledgement of receipt note and a reference number.
(b) Subsequently all submissions are screened adminstratively for the following information:
(i) Completeness of the application;
(ii) Correct classification of the product based on the specific discipline/practice paradigms;
(iii) Composition of the product; and
(iv) The indications claimed for the product
(2) None of these complementary medicines were evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy as the process, procedures and guidelines are not yet in place. The Expert Complementary Medicine Committee of the Medicines Control Council is currently compiling guidelines for each of the 9 disciplines of complementary medicines called in for registration i.e.
· Anthroposophical medicines
· Aromatherapeutic medicines
· Ayurvedic medicines
· Chinese traditional medicines
· Energy substances
· Homeopathic medicines
· Nutritional substances that purports to have therapeutic or medicinal effects
· Western herbal medicines
· Unani-Tibb medicines
· Combination Homoeopathic / Flower essence
· Combination Complementary Medicines
Evaluation of safety, efficacy and quality will be initiated when enabling amendments to the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965, Regulations and Guidelines have been finalized. This will be complemented by building capacity (human resource, financial and infrastructure to ensure effective regulation.
QUESTION NO. 3021
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 34)
Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any generic medicines were registered (a) in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008 and (iii) 2009 and (b) since 1 January 2010; if so, (aa) how many in each case, (bb) how many were used against foreign reference products as opposed to local innovator products and (cc) what percentage of total registrations in each specified period were generic medicines;
(2) how many new chemical entities were registered in each specified period?
NW3738EREPLY:
(1) Yes.
(a), (b), (aa) and (cc) The following table reflects the details in this regard
Year | Number of generic medicines registered | Percentage of total registration |
2007 | 359 | 92,76% |
2008 | 434 | 89,85% |
2009 | 472 | 90,42% |
Until 1 October 2010 | 253 | 92,33% |
(bb) MCC does not use generic products for comparative purposes.
(2) The following table reflects details in this regard
Year | Number of new chemical entities registered |
2007 | 7 plus 12 various strengths |
2008 | 12 plus 11 various strengths |
2009 | 14 plus 20 various strengths |
Until 1 October 2010 | 9 plus 4 various strengths |
QUESTION NO. 3010
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 34)
Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department had an updated and approved human resources plan in the 2009-10 financial year; if not, why not; if so, when was the plan (a) updated and (b) approved;
(2) whether the plan has since been (a) updated and (b) approved; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when is it expected to be (aa) updated and (bb) approved; if so, when was it (aaa) updated and (bbb) approved?
NW3724EREPLY:
(1) The Department is in the process of reviewing and updating the existing National Human Resources for Health Plan that has been in place since 2006. It is envisaged that the updated Plan will be ready by March 2011.
Implementation of the HR Plan is an ongoing process. Priorities identified in the 2006 Plan continue to be implemented given their long-term nature; e.g
· Review of Human Resources Production (quantifying targets for production; Review of funding of health sciences education & training); Training of specialists; Health Sciences Academic development; Development and implementation of a nursing strategy for South Africa)
· Human Resources Development (strengthening of identified competencies of existing professionals; development of mid-level workers)
· Human Resources Management (Strengthening of recruitment and retention strategies in the public services, including the development of remuneration policies for health professionals employed in the public health sector)
· Strengthening of Health Human Resource systems (Development of a human Resources information and management system)
(2) See response above.
QUESTION NO. 2961
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 32)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) What is the normal protocol with regard to the removal of a dead foetus, (b) why was the mother, as reported in a certain media article (details furnished), kept waiting for four days before the foetus was removed, (c) why was labour only induced after the newspaper called the hospital and (d) which medical practitioners were responsible for keeping the mother waiting for so long;
(2) whether he will institute an investigation into the matter; if not, why not; if so, when;
(3) whether he will publicise the report of the investigation; if not, why not; if so, when?
NW3652EREPLY:
(1) Protocol on managing an intrauterine death (IUD)
1. On confirmation of a suspected IUD by ultrasound scan, information regarding the IUD is provided to the mother, counseling is conducted and the exercise of empathy is paramount during the counseling session.
2. A discussion regarding the management of the IUD is then carried out with the mother if she is in a state to have this discussion at the time because this may be very stressful news and her reaction or that of the family may dictate that time is given to reflect on the news. If there are no contraindications to an induction of labour and the mother would prefer this, this is carried out on an elective basis, usually in a day or two. It is not a clinical emergency except for the psychological effect it may have on the mother and her immediate family. Should the mother need to discuss the matter with her family and/or get another medical opinion, this should be allowed and encouraged. Complications associated with IUDs, mainly coagulation (blood-clotting) disorders, only set in at 2 to 4 weeks after the intrauterine death. Should induction of labour be decided against and the mother decides to wait for spontaneous labour, she is then seen weekly and coagulation (blood-clotting) tests have to be done on a weekly basis. Most women tend to go into spontaneous labour within 2 weeks of diagnosis. Having said this, most women who choose induction of labour, do so because of psychological reasons.
Again this is not a clinical emergency and induction of labour is then done the next day or in a couple of days.
3. Sometimes, the mother may have a contraindication to induction of labour, for an example, a big baby; a previous Caesarean Section or an abnormal fetal lie. In this case doctors may advise waiting for spontaneous labour, particularly if the fetal death is recent (a day or two days old), or to have an operation for the removal of the dead baby under anaesthetisia.
4. In summary, it is important that health care providers exercise empathy at all times and discuss all the management options with either the mother or the mother and their spouse or partner, if they are in attendance, or the family, if they are available
(2) There is no need to institute an investigation based on the information provided.
(3) Not applicable.
QUESTION NO. 2924
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 32)
Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department has funded any research into the prevalence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) (a) in the (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2010; if not, why not; if so, (aa) how much funding was allocated in each case, (bb) to which organisations was the funding allocated, (cc) which geographical areas were covered in the research and (dd) what were the findings in each case;
(2) whether his department has (a) hosted or (b) funded any events for national foetal alcohol syndrome day; if not, why not; if so, (i) what events in each case, (ii) what was the cost of each specified event and (iii) where was each specified event held;
(3) whether any other organisations contributed to any of the specified events; if so, (a) which organisations and (b) what amount in each case?
NW3613EREPLY:
(1) The Department has not funded research into the prevalence of FAS in the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 financial years.
The areas of the country with high levels of FAS are known from the previous research conducted by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) and the South African Medical Research Council (MRC). The research was conducted in the Western Cape, Gauteng and Northern Cape Provinces between 1997 and 2001 and parts of the areas that needed ongoing research are still being followed up by FARR and the MRC. Funding was mainly received from the United States of America through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funders. However, the Department has been collaborating with FARR and the MRC and using the findings of the research to inform programmatic interventions.
(2) (a) and (b) Yes, the Department hosted and supported the International FAS Days on 9 September 2009 and 9 September 2010. The Department identified the need to host and support the International FAS Days on 9 September with the rest of the world, to commemorate the ninth minute, of the ninth hour of the ninth day, of the ninth month, to raise public awareness around and to strengthen education, on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
(i), (ii) and (iii) The responses are as follows:
Events of the International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day included the following activities:
9 September 2009
Visit to a Community Health Centre in the Gauteng Province
· A visit to Dark City Community Health Centre in the Metsweding District, Gauteng Province was conducted on 9 September 2009. Awareness was raised of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The visit targeted pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic and other health service users visiting the clinic.
· The same day, a door-to-door campaign was conducted in the surrounding area.
· A flyer, indicating the key FAS preventive message "NO ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY", was developed and translated into other vernacular languages. The flyers were distributed at the clinic, and during the door-to-door campaign.
Northern Cape Province was supported during the International FAS Day on 9 September 2010. A pledging ceremony was held in De Aar District, Northern Cape Province, in collaboration with the Foundation for Alcohol Research Foundation (FARR) and the community. All attendants of the event pledged to increase awareness using the message - "NO TO ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY".
Build-up activities
Awareness was raised at three malls in Pretoria, Gauteng Province from 1-3 September 2009 namely, Sammy Marks Square on 1 September, Central City on 2 September, and Bronkhorspruit Shopping Center on 3 September. This activity involved setting up an exhibit, interacting with the shoppers on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, and distribution of flyers.
Costs of the events
The events were conducted by officials during their working hours and the costs were minimal.
(3) There was no dedicated costing of support given by other organizations that participated in the events mentioned above.
QUESTION NO. 2923
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 32)
Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What (a) was the name, (b) were the qualifications and (c) was the appointment date of each specified accounting officer at each provincial health department and the national health department (i) in the (aa) 2007-08, (bb) 2008-09 and (cc) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2010;
(2) whether any of the said persons had been dismissed from the position; if so, (a) what are their names, (b) on what date was each specified person dismissed and (c) what were the reasons for each specified dismissal?
NW3612EREPLY:
(1) The following Table reflects the details in this regard
(1) | (i) (aa)(bb)(cc) | (a) | (b) | (c) | ||
Department | Years | Name | Qualifications | Appointment date | Nature of Termination | Date |
National Department of Health | 2007-2008 | Mr TD Mseleku | BA (Hons) MA B.Educ B. Pedagogics | 01/01/2005 | End of contract | 30/09/2009 |
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | Ms MP Matsoso | B.Pham Post Graduate Diploma: Health Management Masters in Law & Ethics (LLM) | 08/06/2010 | |||
Eastern Cape | 2007-2008 | |||||
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | ||||||
Free State | 2007-2008 | Mr Shuping Dr Chapman | B.Pharm MBA MBCHB MMed Community Health | Acting Capacity | Information already archived | Information already archived |
2008-2009 | Prof. PL Ramela | MBCHB B. Optom | 1st February 2002 | 20th November 2009 | ||
April 2009- June 2009 | Prof. PL Ramela | MBCHB B. Optom | 1st February 2002 | 20th November 2009 | ||
July 2009 – June 2010 | Dr Mokeyane | 1st December 2009 | 1st July 2010 | |||
July 2010 to date | Dr S Kabane | MBCHB MBA M. PHIL (Economic Policy) | 1st December 2009 | Still employed | ||
Gauteng | 2007-2008 | |||||
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | ||||||
KwaZulu-Natal | 2007-2008 | |||||
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | ||||||
Limpopo | 2007-2008 | |||||
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | ||||||
Mpum-alanga | 2007-2008 | |||||
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | ||||||
Northern Cape | 2007-2008 | Ms Thuntsi (Acting) | BA (CUR) Masters Social Science Nursing Masters Public Health | 1 October 2006 | Appointment of HOD | |
2008-2009 | Dr T Sibeko | Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery Masters of Business Leadership | 1 October 2007 | Resignation | September 2009 | |
2009-2010 | Dr DG Theys (Acting) | MBCHB | 10 September 2009 – acting capacity | |||
North West | 2007-2008 | Dr L Sebeko | Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Education Master of Education Master of Science Doctorate in Education | 1 /05 2006 | Transfer to National Department | 31 August 2010 |
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | Mr WVS Mbulawa (Acting) | 1/09/2010 | ||||
Western Cape | 2007-2008 | |||||
2008-2009 | ||||||
2009-2010 | ||||||
(1) (c) (ii) National Dept. of Health - Ms MP Matsoso appointed on 8 June 2010
North West Province - Mr WVS Mbulawa (Acting) appointed on 1 September 2010
(2) National Department of Health - Not applicable
Eastern Cape
Free State - None of the above-mentioned accounting officers have been dismissed from service as yet. However, Prof. PL Ramela's service was terminated in terms of the DPSA guideline on determination on special benefits as compensation: re-determination of term of office of Heads of Departments.
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
Northern Cape
- Not applicable
North West - Not applicable
QUESTION NO. 2889
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 32)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 178 on 13 October 2009, his department intends conducting research to establish the current maternal mortality rate (MMR); if not, (a) why not, (b) when last was research conducted to establish the MMR and (c) which research figures is his department using to develop a strategy for combating MMR; if so, (i) when will (aa) it be conducted and (bb) the results be made public and (ii) what are the further relevant details?
NW3577EREPLY:
It is important to correct an error made on the written reply to Question 1703. The figures were on the Maternal Mortality Ratio and not the Maternal Mortality Rate.
(a) The Department's source for the Maternal Mortality Ratio is the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) which was not conducted in 2008 due to financial constraints.
(b) The last SADHS was conducted in 2003. However, Statistics South Africa conducted the Community Survey in 2007 which collected data to estimate population MMR.
(c) The Department is currently using the figure that was published in the Country MDG Report for 2010. This figure was calculated by Statistics South Africa from its 2007 Community Survey.
(i) (aa) The Department is working with a team of partners to ensure that questions asked in the SADHS are incorporated to the regular national population surveys conducted by statutory research bodies. The next population based survey of the Human Sciences Research Council will be conducted in 2011. The census, which also asks questions on maternal mortality, will be conducted in 2011.
(bb) the results will be made public by the research bodies involved, and
(ii) No other further detail.
QUESTION NO. 2860
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 31)
Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Health:†
(1) Whether his department has made use of any consultants since the 2004-05 financial year; if so, (a) how many (i) consultants and (ii) consultancies were used in each financial year, (b) what were their names in each case, (c) what amounts were paid in each financial year to each (i) consultant and (ii) consultancy and (d) who are the directors of the various consultancies that his department has made use of since the 2004-05 financial year;
(2) whether any of these consultants and consultancies were formerly in the employ of his department; if so, (a) who are these persons, (b) why did they leave the employ of his department and (c) what was the salary scale of each specified person at the time that he or she left the employ of his department?
NW3543E
REPLY:
(1) (a) (i) - No consultants during 2004-2005;
- 1 during 2005-2006;
- 2 during 2006-2007;
- 3 during 2007-2008;
- 5 during 2008-2009;
- 8 during 2009-2010;
- 9 during 2010-2011
(ii) - 2 Consultancies during 2004-2005;
- none during 2005-2006;
- 1 during 2006-2007;
- 1 during 2007-2008;
- None during 2008-2009;
- 1 during 2009-2010
(b) Yezo Consultants, Malaudzi and Associates, Peter Morris Barron, Deloitte & Touche , Drs Ndamane Gaga Pty Ltd , Yarona Management Dr. E. Leeunberger, University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Dr. P. Mavengere, Ms. L. Woodhead , Dr Thulare, Arvir Technologies, Dr. M. Shaker Proactive Health Solutions, Nomvula and Associates Pty Ltd.
(c) (i) & (ii)
Payments | |||||||
Consultant / cies | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
Yezo Consultants | R706,606 | ||||||
Malaudzi & Associates | R888,000 | ||||||
Peter Morris Barron | R199,000 | ||||||
Deloitte & Touche | R1,015,859 | ||||||
Drs Ndamane Gaga Pty Ltd | R6,142,593.60 | ||||||
Yarona Management | R499,896 | ||||||
Dr. E. Leeunberger | R481,500 | R614,703.85 | R319,067.63 | ||||
University of Kwa Zulu Natal | R873,411 | ||||||
Dr. P. Mavengere | R275,000 | R650,000 | |||||
Ms. L. Woodhead | R37,983.33 | R516,164.29 | R285, 833.31 | ||||
Dr. M.A Thulare | R537, 281.50 | R614,036 | |||||
Arvir Technologies | R200,000 | ||||||
Dr. M. Shaker | R300,405 | ||||||
Proactive Health Solutions | R2,137,269.75 | ||||||
Nomvula and Associates Pty Ltd | R321,753.60 |
(d) The following table reflects the details in this regard
Consultancy | Directors |
Yezo Consultants | Mr. Nicholas Gilmour Crisp |
Malaudzi and Associates | Mr. Malaudzi |
Peter Morris Barron | Peter Morris Barron |
Deloitte & Touche | Various share holders |
Drs Ndamane Gaga Pty Ltd | Dr. N. Ndamane , Dr S Gaga |
Yarona Management | L. M Kgomongwe; W.E Huma |
Dr. E. Leeunberger | Dr. E. Leuenberger |
University of Kwa Zulu Natal | No members |
Dr. P. Mavengere | Dr. P. Mavengere |
Ms. L. Woodhead | Ms. L.R Woodhead |
Dr Thulare | Dr Motlakapele Aquina Thulare |
Arvir Technologies | Dr David Walwyn |
Dr. M. Shaker | Dr. M. Shaker |
Proactive Health Solutions | M.F Nyati ; M.L Vazi; K.I Mphahlee |
Nomvula and Associates Pty Ltd | Ms N. Marawa |
(2) (a) Ms Nomvula Marawa
(b) Resignation
(c) R 371,000.00 per annum
QUESTION NO. 2851
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 31)
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether there are any vacancies at the Office of Standards Compliance; if so, (a) which positions are vacant and (b) for how long have these positions been vacant;
(2) whether his department has advertised these vacancies; if not, why not; if so, (a) in which publications and (b) how often?
NW3534E
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
Post name | Period vacant |
Director | Since 2008 |
Secretary | Since 2008 |
Administrative Officer | Since 2009 |
Assistant Director | Since 2009 |
(2) (a) The following table reflects details in this regard.
Post name | Period vacant |
Director | Interviews were scheduled for 26 October 2010 |
Secretary | Post will be filled after the Director post had been filled |
Administrative Officer | Post advertised in November 2010 and will be filled in early 2011 |
Assistant Director | Incumbent transferred laterally from the Province to National. |
(b) The Director post was advertised in the vacancy circular of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). The posts of the Secretary and of the Administrative Officer will be advertised both in the DPSA circular and in the national newspapers.
QUESTION NO. 2821
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 31)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 769 on 13 October 2009, the final regulations prohibiting trans fats in foods were published in the first quarter of 2010; if not, (a) why not, (b) what are the reasons for the delay and (c) when are they expected to be published; if so, on what date were they published;
(2) on what date will the six-month grace period for the industry to comply with the new regulations end;
(3) whether any products are to be exempt from the regulations prohibiting the use of trans fats; if so, (a) which products and (b) what are the reasons for the exemption?
NW3502E
REPLY:
(1) No, the final regulations prohibiting trans fats in foods were not published in the first quarter of 2010;
(a) and (b) The reasons for the delay in the publication of the final regulations were mainly due to the finalization of certain technical aspects, as well as the period of six months required in terms of the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to allow member countries an opportunity to comment;
(c) It is expected that the publication of the final regulations will take place not later than the end of December 2010.
(2) Based on the target date set for the publication of the final regulations as stated above, the six-month grace period for industry to comply with the provisions of the regulations will expire by the end of June 2011.
(3) Yes, certain products will be exempted from the regulations;
(a) Products containing trans fats which occur naturally in ruminants, such as meat, milk, butter, cheese, etc;
(b) The presence of these trans fats occur naturally and is therefore unavoidable, as well as not being associated with the health risks concerned linked to industrially processed trans fatty acids.
QUESTION NO. 2818
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 31)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 768 on 29 September 2009, all producers of alcohol products are adhering to the labelling regulations; if not, (a) which alcohol producers are not adhering to these new regulations, (b) what (i) alcohol products do they produce, (ii) action has been taken against each of these noncompliant alcohol producers and (iii) was the fine in each case and (c) by which date was each of these noncompliant alcohol producers warned to adhere to the new regulations; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the regulations require the use of warning messages on the alcohol products similar to those that appear on tobacco products; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the warning messages in respect of the size, positioning and any other specified requirements;
(3) whether his department inspects all alcohol products to ensure that they adhere to the new regulations; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does his department ensure adherence to the new regulations; if so, how (i) does his department inspect the alcohol products and (ii) many dedicated inspectors are there?
NW3499E
REPLY:
(1) The vast majority of alcohol products in South Africa now have warning labels. However, there are a small number of products which were labeled prior to the regulations being published which are still on retailers' shelves and which have been exempted by the law from having a warning label. Currently no specific alcohol producers have been identified as not including warning labels on their products. However, there is a serious concern that certain technical requirements of the regulation are not being adhered to by all manufacturers. In particular Clause 2(2)(ii) which states that the warning message "…must be at least one eighth of the total size of the container label" appears not to be complied with. It appears that the industry has interpreted the "one eighth" referred to in the regulation to apply only to the label on which the warning label is displayed rather than to the total of the label(s) on the container. This label is often on the back of the container and relatively small in size. As a consequence the warning on the container is often not highly visible as required by 2(2)(i) of the regulation. The Department of Health has recently contacted the Industry Association on Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) who represents most of the alcohol industry producers (including all the large producers) to discuss how to ensure that this aspect of the regulation is complied with by all producers in the future.
(Anita Prof need to state the agreement reached with the ARA here also)
(a) No specific alcohol producer has been identified as not including warning labels on their products. However see above response with regard to the size and visibility of the warning label.
(b) & (c) Not applicable
(2) The regulations prescribe the messages that must appear on the alcohol beverage containers, including the specifications/specified requirements for such messages. These regulations follow the model of warning labels on tobacco products.
With regard to size and position, section 2 (2) (ii) of the regulations states that "a health message referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall be on a space specifically devoted for it which must be at least one eighth of the total size of the container label".
Other specified requirements
In terms of Section 2 (2) a health message referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall:
(i) "be visible, legible and indelible and the legibility thereof shall not be affected by any other matter, printed or otherwise;
(iii) be in black on a white background."
Section 3 states that "a health message shall be in any of the South African official languages but must be in the same language as that of the container label".
Section 4 states that "the following information or declarations shall not appear on any container label of an alcoholic beverage:
(a) Words, pictorial representations, descriptions which may create the impression that such an alcoholic beverage has been manufactured in accordance with recommendations made by-
(i) a health professional registered in terms of any law;
(ii) any health organization, association or foundation;
(b) the words "health", "healthy", "heal", "cure", "restorative" or other words or symbols claiming that the alcohol beverage has health giving, medicinal, therapeutic or prophylactic properties as part of the name or description of the alcoholic beverage; or
(c) the words: Subject to the provisions of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1995 (Act no.101 of 1995) or similar wording that makes reference to the said Act".
(3) No
(a) & (b) In terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) under which the regulations were published, read in conjunction with the relevant provisions of the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003), the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP's) employed by the six (6) metro and forty six (46) district municipalities are responsible for the control of foodstuffs manufactured and sold locally, while the nine (9) provincial health authorities are responsible for the control of imported foodstuffs, including the relevant labeling aspect related to alcohol products. These departments are therefore responsible for the inspection of warning labels on alcohol products.
(i) The National Department of Health does not inspect alcohol products (see above)
(ii) There are no dedicated inspectors that check compliance to this regulation. Environmental Health Practitioners have a range of responsibilities and checking on compliance to this regulation is one of these functions.
QUESTION NO. 2817
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 October 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 31)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
With reference to his reply to question 1994 on 5 October 2010, (a) what are the names of the parties in favour of whom the court orders were granted, (b) on which date was each specified order granted, (c) what amount was granted in each case and (d) who is responsible for paying the amount granted in each specified order?
NW3498E
REPLY:
(a), (b) and (c) The court order granted on 22 July 2008 was in favour of Mankwe Ambulance Training Centre CC and the costs for the Health Professions Council of South Africa amounted to R23 532.15. The court order granted on 18 February 2009 was in favour of Joy Paramedical Services and no costs were applicable as the matter was settled on the basis that it would be referred back to the Board.
(d) None of the parties therefore, was responsible for payment of costs.
QUESTION NO. 2700
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 30)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether any of the recommendations made by the Integrated Support Team have been implemented; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will these recommendations be implemented; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3272E
REPLY:
The IST recommendations are being implemented by all Health Departments. A report on progress with the implementation on these recommendations was compiled by the National Department of Health in October 2010.
(a) Not applicable;
(b) Not applicable.
QUESTION NO. 2664
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 17 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether he intends introducing any legislation similar to legislation pertaining to tobacco products that will restrict the advertising of alcohol products; if not, why not; if so, (a) when will such legislation be introduced and (b) what are the further relevant details?
NW3323E
REPLY:
(a) The relevant legislation concerning advertising of alcohol products is the Liquor Act, 2003 (Act 59 of 2003). This Act is administered by the Department of Trade and Industry. Notwithstanding, the Department of Health is concerned about the role of advertising in promoting alcohol abuse and the consequent repercussions for health and health services. The Department has engaged with, and will continue to engage the relevant department(s) to enact legislation that will reduce alcohol abuse. Should additional legislation be required, we will consider introducing this in time.
(b) One area where legislation pertaining to advertising/counter-advertising of tobacco products has been mirrored by the Department of Health with regard to alcohol, is regulations around messaging on containers. As with tobacco products, in terms of the regulations to the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972), producers are compelled to put visible warning labels on all alcohol containers – taking up at least one eighth of the total label size.
QUESTION NO. 2648
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 17 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether plans are in place to ensure that his department achieves the 2015 Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health by treating the illnesses born of poverty such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, malnutrition and HIV; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3305E
REPLY:
Millennium Development Goal 4 calls for a two-thirds reduction in under-five mortality rates by 2015. My Department has plans in place to address the key causes of child mortality. These include:
1. Child Health
HIV and AIDS:
· Prevention of HIV infection (in adults) through numerous programmes including the HCT campaign;
· Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV infection – new guidelines are in place, and coverage and uptake have risen considerably;
· Early identification and treatment of children infected with HIV infection;
· Improved access to antiretroviral treatment for children.
Diarrhoea:
· Improved access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation;
· Introduction (in 2009) of vaccination against rotavirus infection into the routine immunization schedule – this has prevented many cases of and deaths from diarrhoea;
· Better management of diarrhoea at home and primary health facilities through the promotion of early oral rehydration. Zinc is also added to the treatment of diarrhoea. This has been shown to reduce mortality from diarrhoea;
· Promoting exclusive breastfeeding to all women irrespective of their HIV status to improve child survival and prevent malnutrition. For those women who are HIV infected, who have fear of breastfeeding their infants and opt for exclusive formula feeding, the Department is providing free formula for 6 months and these women are educated on the preparation of formula and care of feeding utensils.
Pneumonia:
· Early and effective treatment of children with pneumonia at Primary Health Care facilities;
· Introduction of vaccination against pneumococcal disease, which accounts for a high proportion of cases;
· Better prevention and early effective management of tuberculosis in children;
· Breastfeeding and prevention of HIV infection as important strategies for preventing deaths from pneumonia;
· Treatment of HIV positive children with antiretroviral drugs;
Undernutrition:
· Improved household food security from, among other things, increasing access to and uptake of Child Support grants;
· Promotion of breastfeeding and making breastfeeding safer for infants of HIV-infected mothers;
· Improved feeding of young children including Vitamin A supplementation;
· Improved management of children with severe malnutrition in district hospitals through the promotion of World Health Organisation's Ten Steps for Management of Children with Severe Malnutrition.
Due to high immunization coverage, vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio account for a small proportion of child deaths in South Africa. The Department therefore has plans to maintain high immunisation coverage is maintained.
2. Maternal and Newborn Health
· Improving quality of care through Basic Antenatal Care, improved quality of care during labour, delivery and the postnatal period, the investigation of all maternal deaths to identify preventable factors, training of doctors and midwives in the management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies;
· All institutions providing maternity services are monitored for the implementation of the ten recommendations for prevention of maternal deaths;
· The Perinatal Problem Identification Programme is also implemented in facilities for improved quality of care for newborns;
· South Africa has a high coverage of skilled birth attendance; the plans are to increase the skills of the professionals (midwives and doctors);
· The Department will increase the number of maternity waiting homes in order to get the women who otherwise would find it difficult to access help when in labour, closer to the health facilities;
· There are initiatives for the Revitalisation of the Primary Health Care with reintroduction of facility based midwifery training and strengthening of postnatal care. Promotion of health within the home and the community will benefit women and children and prevent maternal and child deaths;
· The department also plans to increase the number of women who are on lifelong antiretroviral therapy in order to improve their quality of health and further prevent mother to child transmission of HIV infection. HIV related infections are the commonest cause of maternal deaths;
· These drugs would be accessed at the CD4 count threshold of 350 and below or at WHO clinical stage 3/4 irrespective of the CD4 count. Women who are not yet eligible for ART will still get ARV prophylaxis;
· A comprehensive approach to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV has been adopted and involves four prongs:
- Primary prevention of HIV among all women of child bearing age;
- Prevention of unintended pregnancies among women of child bearing age including provision of TOP to those that have unwanted pregnancies;
- Prevention of transmission of HIV from the mother to her child;
- Provision of comprehensive treatment, care and support to all HIV positive women.
Women are routinely offered Counselling and testing when attending Antenatal Care, Family planning and STI services. Road shows and workshops are being conducted for nurses, midwives doctors and other health care workers to update them on the new developments and best practices. Midwives are being trained in Nurse Initiated Management of ART (NIMART). This will make it possible for all women and their children to access ART at primary health care facilities.
Training has been started and now includes:
· Primary prevention of HIV among women of childbearing age;
· Comprehensive Family-centred approach for the prevention of vertical transmission to the baby and encourage males to take responsibility in curbing the spread of HIV;
· Basic Antenatal Care for identification and management of problems and streamlining them to appropriate level of care to ensure comprehensive management of women;
· A module addressing Stigma and Discrimination in the communities has also been incorporated;
· Attention is being given to the improvement of the quality of services through site support and guidance to the implementers at facilities. Training of Health Care Providers in quality improvement is also carried out. The support of the NGO implementing partners is also being coordinated to cover all districts and facilities;
· With these plans and initiatives the Department is determined to meet the MDG goals 4, 5 and 6.
QUESTION NO. 2630
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 17 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)
Mr L J Tolo (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
(a) What is the average turnaround time within which an amputee is provided with an artificial limb and (b) why was a certain pensioner with the financial assistance of a certain church (details furnished) required to purchase an artificial limb one year after the state hospital failed to provide it?
NW3285E
REPLY:
(a) The average turnaround time within which an amputee is provided with an artificial limb from the time of measurement is two months. However the waiting period to this will depend on the client's medical condition as in most cases an artificial limb cannot be fitted immediately after the person has lost a limb. The period of recovery that is needed is variable and is a clinical decision of the health practitioners involved.
(b) The pensioner in question started efforts of purchasing an artificial limb privately either because he became impatient with medical procedures required to prepare him for the artificial limb or he was not fully and adequately appraised of his medical situation by the health professionals treating him. Health professionals attending to him after he lost his limb discovered that the residual limb had contractures which made measuring and fitting an artificial limb impossible. The relevant health professionals have been working with the client and have further given him a home programme to improve the condition of the stump. In view of the client's dire situation a temporary artificial limb will be fitted soon as efforts to reverse the contractures are underway. As soon as the client's medical condition allows, a permanent artificial limb will be fitted, and this will be dependent on the condition of the stump. An artificial limb fitted wrongly has the potential to damage the limb permanently and all efforts need to be made to avoid this eventuality. It is important to note then that in this case the delay in fitting the limb was related to the person's medical condition rather than inefficiencies in the health service.
QUESTION NO. 2616
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 17 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department is promoting kangaroo mother care in public maternity and obstetric units; if not, why not; if so, (a) how effectively is it being promoted and (b) what are the further relevant details?
NW3175E
REPLY:
Yes
(a) The method is being promoted among the antenatal care attendees (prospective mothers) as well as in the hospital after the women have delivered. Some hospitals have dedicated KMC wards where all the mothers practice KMC continuously but all facilities practice intermittent KMC where the mother practices KMC during feeding or while visiting for non-resident mothers. It is also recommended during transfer of a sick neonate to ensure that the baby is kept warm on route.
The baby is put in an upright position against the mother's bare chest between her breast and inside her blouse with the baby having only a nappy and a cap and the mother puts clothing on.
(b) It is contained in the National Neonatal Guidelines and Maternity Care Guidelines for Community Health Centres and District Hospitals. This is also recommended by the Saving Babies report.
The following hospitals have dedicated KMC wards:
· Limpopo 36 out of 37 hospitals with Pietersburg referring all infants to Mankweng hospital as the two hospitals are a complex which brings it to 100 % coverage.
· All 24 Gauteng Hospitals except Mamelodi and Carltonville Hospitals;
· In the Western Cape all 39 hospitals and 3 Community Health Centers;
· North West 10 of 20 hospitals;
· Eastern Cape 36 of 65 hospitals;
· KwaZulu Natal 42 of 54 hospitals;
· Mpumalanga 26 of 28 hospitals;
· Free State 16 of 30 hospitals;
· Northern Cape 10 out of 17 hospitals
Other hospitals practice KMC intermittently.
The challenge in implementing continuous KMC in some facilities is space and human resources.
QUESTION NO. 2548
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Ms D Carter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether he will make unannounced visits to hospitals to see how (a) queues are managed, (b) casualty patients are being processed, (c) waste is being disposed of, (d) toilets are being kept and (e) systems are being made operational; if not, why not; if so, how does he intend gauging how everyday processes are being managed?
NW3178E
REPLY:
It remains the prerogative of the Minister of Health to at any stage make announced and/or unannounced visits to any health facility to meet and interact with staff and patients, whilst at the same time observing how effective and efficient health care processes are, especially at focal points within a health facility.
The Minister of Health will also be informed on the effectiveness and efficiency of care, managerial and administrative processes through, (a) internal and external audits that will measure performance against a set of standards and (b) using the results of regular patient satisfaction surveys that have been conducted in health establishments.
QUESTION NO. 2532
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department has brought charges against any striking workers who prevented patients from accessing health care by blocking hospital gates; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3152E
REPLY:
I would like to advise the Honourable Member to check the Hansards of Parliament, and refer to my oral answer to Question 193 I presented on Wednesday, 15 September 2010, particularly to his supplementary question.
QUESTION NO. 2531
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether any persons who demonstrated in hospital wards during the public sector strike have been identified; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has his department taken against them?
NW3146E
REPLY:
I would like to advise the Honourable Member to check the Hansards of Parliament, and refer to my oral answer to Question 193 I presented on Wednesday, 15 September 2010, particularly to his supplementary question.
QUESTION NO. 2530
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department promotes kangaroo mother care in public maternity and obstetric units around the country in view of (a) infant health and (b) premature births; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3145E
REPLY:
The Department of Health promotes Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in public maternity and obstetric units, especially for infants who are born prematurely or have a low birth-weight but are stable to be put in the Kangaroo position on their mothers' chest. KMC is also advised for all babies soon after birth in order to prevent the babies from getting cold. The practice also promotes bonding between mother and infant and reduces the risk of cross infection from health workers. The mother also is in continuous contact with her baby and thus monitors her baby from minute to minute.
KMC has been included in the Maternity Care Guidelines for Clinics, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals of 2007.
QUESTION NO. 2523
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the KwaZulu-Natal health department issued a tender for the purchase of Tara KLamp medical devices; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the value of the tender and (b) are the names of the companies that submitted bids for the tender;
(2) (a) how much funds has the KwaZulu-Natal health department spent on purchasing Tara KLamp medical devices up to the latest date for which information is available and (b) what (i) is the name of the company that was awarded the contract to supply Tara KLamp medical devices and (ii) are the names of its directors?
NW3032E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The KwaZulu/Natal Department of Health procured the Tara Klamp in terms of the provision of Treasury Regulations 16.A6.4 which reads as follows:
"If in a specific case it is impractical to invite competitive bids, the accounting officer or accounting authority may procure goods or services by other means, provided that reasons for deviation from inviting competitive bids must be recorded and approved by the accounting officer or accounting authority."
The Tara Klamp device is solely manufactured by a Malaysian company – TaraMedic corporation Sdn.Bhd. The KwaZulu/Natal Department of Health procured the device from the sole distributor for Africa, Intratrek Properties (Pty) Ltd, an invitation for public tender has thus not been issued as the sole distributor can offer the best price other than the manufacturer.
Accordingly, and in terms of the Treasury Regulation 16.A6.4, the KwaZulu/Natal Department of Health obtained approval from the Accounting Officer to evoke the Treasury Regulation 16.A6.4 clause and to record reasons for such deviation.
(b) There was no tender, as indicated in (1) above.
(2) (a) As of 30 September 2010, the KwaZulu/Natal Department of Health has purchased 22 500 devices at a cost of R,368,750 that may be broken down into the following transactions:
- the initial lot of 2 500 at R187.50 excluding VAT: R 468,750.00
- an additional 8 000 at R195.00 excluding VAT: R1,560,000.00
- an additional 12 000 at R195.00 excluding VAT: R2,340,000.00 ____________
R4,368,750.00
(b) (i) The sole distributor of the device for Africa is Intratrek Properties (Pty) Ltd. (This is confirmed in writing by the inventor and founding owner of the TaraMedic Corporation, Dr Tara Singh). The KwaZulu/Natal Department of Health procured the device from the sole distributor for Africa;
(ii) The names of the directors may be ascertained from the CIPRO. However, according to Company prospectus, the company directors are Mr I S Yusuf and Mr T M Yusuf.
QUESTION NO. 2461
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 26)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether, with reference to the correspondence between the Treatment Action Campaign and the Member of the Executive Council of Health in KwaZulu-Natal (details furnished), the instructions given by a certain person (details furnished) are in line with Government's medical male circumcision (MMC) guidelines which guide and regulate the practice of male circumcision; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the details of the said person's instructions; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3030E
REPLY:
His Majesty, the King, when giving the instruction that circumcision be done medically, had the following as important aspects of circumcision:
(a) In the midst of males dying in other provinces because of traditional male circumcision, traditional male circumcision (MMC) should not be used on His people. This was intended to ensure that medical male circumcision is done by trained people. This was aimed at ensure that no complications happen due to MMC. So far we can report that there are no major complications experienced. It can be mentioned therefore that when the instruction from the King was being implemented, the Department ensured that it did so in line with the guidelines of surgical procedure of circumcision.
(b) The second objective was to see circumcision being done under the cleanest possible environment as prescribed by the infection prevention and control protocol (IPC) of the Department of Health. We must report again here that during circumcisions guidelines on IPC are followed as close as possible.
In essence His Majesty wanted to ensure that no one dies or experience a life crippling outcome.
QUESTION NO. 2436
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 September 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 26)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has (a) accredited or (b) inspected any private health institutions in order to consider them for becoming a learning platform/teaching hospital; if not, why not; if so, (i) which institutions, (ii) when was the accreditation/inspection done and (iii) what was the outcome in each case;
(2) whether his department has (a) approached or (b) received requests from any of these institutions to become a learning platform/teaching hospital; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) which institutions, (ii) on what date and (iii) what was the outcome in each case?
NW2910E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Yes, the following private facilities are currently accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as satellite training facilities for Postgraduate Education and Training in Medicine:
(i) Donal Gordon Medical Centre, Gauteng Province is attached to Wits University. Faure Hospital, Western Cape Province is attached to Stellenbosch University;
(ii) The last accreditation for Wits University was in May 2007 and the next one is scheduled for May 2012. The University of Stellenbosch was evaluated in February 2010 and the next evaluation will be in February 2015.
(b) The HPCSA has not received applications from any other private institutions other than the two mentioned above.
(2) No, institutions that wish to be accredited have to apply to the relevant Statutory Council for accreditation, not to the Department of Health.
QUESTION NO. 2401
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 25)
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether (a) his department or (b) any of its entities has signed any contractual agreements with a certain company (name furnished) or any of its affiliates (i) in the (aa) 2006-07, (bb) 2007-08, (cc) 2008-09 and (dd) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aaa) what is the nature of each contract, (bbb) what is the monetary value of each contract, (ccc) what is the (aaaa) start and (bbbb) end date of each contract, (ddd) what are the details of the process that was followed for the signing of each contract, (eee) who else tendered for each contract that was awarded and (fff) what amount did each tenderer quote in each case?
NW2970E
REPLY:
Neither the National Department of Health nor the South African Medical Research Council (MRC), the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) entered into or signed any contractual agreements with the said company or any of its affiliates.
QUESTION NO. 2342
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 25)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether, since 1994, there has been any agreements whereby foreign medical practitioners have come to work in South Africa; if so, (a) with which countries were these agreements, (b) when were they agreed to, (c) how many health practitioners were involved in each case, (d) what type of health practitioners were involved, (e) how long was their contract in each case and (f) to which province were they sent;
(2) whether any of the foreign governments placed any restrictions on their citizens working here such as (a) having to have a portion of their salary sent back to their country, (b) not being allowed to permanently stay in South Africa, (c) not being allowed to marry a South African, (d) not being allowed to apply for permanent residents/citizenship and (e) any other restriction; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether any of these foreign practitioners stayed permanently in South Africa; if so, (a) how many, (b) what was their country of origin and (c) what were the reasons for allowing them to stay;
(4) whether any of the medical professionals that came to work in South Africa through an agreement were exempt from any of the criteria individual foreign medical practitioners are subjected to; if so, (a) which criteria were exempt, (b) for which agreement and (c) what were the reasons for the exemption in each case?
NW2911E
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
(a) The Government of Cuba, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Republic of Tunisia;
(b) Cuba: The Agreement was entered into in 1995;
Iran: The Agreement was signed in 2004
Tunisia: The Agreement was signed in 2007.
(c) The following table reflects the details in this regard
Table 1
Country | Arrival by year | No | Comments |
Cuba | 1996 | 216 | First group |
1997 | 72 | ||
1998 | 122 | ||
2000 | 100 | ||
2001 | 62 | ||
Total | 572 | 129 Doctors currently serving in South Africa under the Agreement | |
Iran | 2006 | 29 | 22 Still serving under the Agreement |
Tunisia | 2007 | 16 | |
2008 | 81 | 82 Are still serving under the Agreement. 97 Were deployed, 14 returned home and 1 is deceased. | |
Total | 97 | 82 |
(d) Cuba: General Medical Practitioners
Iran: General Medical Practitioners
Tunisia: General Medical Practitioners and Medical Specialists
(e) Cuba: Three years at a time, renewable for a further three-year period at a time
Iran: Three years at a time, renewable for a further three-year period at a time
Tunisia: Three years at a time, renewable for a further three-year period at a time.
(f) Cuban doctors were sent to the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu/Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West Provinces;
Iranian doctors were sent to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces;
Tunisian doctors were sent to the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu/Natal, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and North West Provinces.
(2) (a) Yes (only Cuba);
(b) All doctors whose contracts have expired or who opt out of the Agreement and are not eligible for permanent residence in South Africa and should return to their home countries or should apply for normal work permits subject to the prevailing recruitment policy and Immigration legislation;
(c) No;
(d) No, except Cuba;
(e) Yes, all foreign recruited health professionals are subject to the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2002 as amended.
(3) Yes.
(a) Of the original group of medical doctors, 129 remain under the conditions of the Cuban-South Africa Agreement. The rest (443) either opted out of the Agreement (after obtaining a court order in their favour). Many of them obtained permanent residence and citizenship in South Africa, but some left to practice in other countries. These is no accurate record on how many doctors from Cuba eventually remained in South Africa either on permanent residence permits or as South African citizens;
(b) Cuba;
(c) The doctors were allowed to remain in South Africa on the basis on having secured permanent residence or South African citizenship.
(4) No.
QUESTION NO. 2341
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 25)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many learning platforms/teaching hospitals have the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) accredited, (b) where are they situated, (c) how often should the HPCSA accredit these facilities and (d) when last was each of these hospitals accredited;
(2) how many medical students can each of these facilities (a) accommodate and (b) for which year of study;
(3) whether any of these facilities have been discredited (a) in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years and (b) for the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aa) which hospitals, (bb) in which financial year and (cc) what were the reasons for discreditation;
(4) (a) how many inspectors does the HPCSA have that inspect these facilities, (b) who are they and (c) what are their qualifications?
NW2909E
REPLY:
(1) (a) 65
(b) See Table 1 attached.
(c) Normally every two years, but also as required.
(d) See Table 2 attached
(2) (a) and (b) See Table 3 attached.
(3) (a) (i) Yes
(ii) No
(iii) No
(b) No
(aa) Jubilee in Gauteng, Philadelphia in Limpopo, Barberton in Mpumalanga;
(bb) 2008
(cc) The hospitals were disaccredited because they were unable to offer all 8 domains of internship training.
(4) (a) 18
(b) Dr R R Badal
Prof H A van C de Groot
Dr R D Govender
Dr U Govind
Prof C D Karabus
Dr B Luke
Prof A F Malan
Dr N M Mazamisa
Dr G P Morris
Prof S S Naidoo
Dr N C Ndzungu
Prof G A Ogunbanjo
Dr L Ramiah
Dr K Ramiah
Dr A J Ross
Dr M Ramphal
Dr S Sirkar
Dr M Smit
(c) All are registered Medical Practitioners with the appropriate tertiary qualification in medicine.
QUESTION NO. 2340
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 25)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(a) How many persons are employed by the sub-directorate: foreign workforce management (FWM), (b) what are the (i) names and (ii) qualifications of each person, (c) what are the responsibilities of the FWM, (d) how many applications have been received by the FWM, (e) from which countries were they received, (f) what type of health care professionals have applied in each case and (g) how many of these applications are pending before the FWM for a period of (i) 0 – 14, (ii) 15 – 28, (iii) 29 – 56, (iv) 57 – 70 days and (v) 71 days and longer?
NW2908E
REPLY:
(a) Nine (9).
(c) (i) and (ii) Ms PFF Zulu – Master of Public Health
Ms HAC Human – Matric
Ms ZC Lutchmia – Grade 11
Ms D Sibiya – Matric
Ms KJ Mlambo – B Admin
Ms S Vosloo – Matric
Mr M Mpeqeka – Matric and Call Centre Certificate
Ms B Machebele – Matric, Certificate in Criminal Justice System and Certificate of Competence in Computer Literacy
Mr A Mohamed Alli – Diploma in Human Resources Management and Training
(c) The responsibilities of the FWM sub-directorate are:
· the overall management of the foreign health professionals, recruited in terms of Government-to-Government Agreement (i.e recruitment, employment, conditions of service, registration and legal residential status, managing and monitoring the distribution and migration) within the Public Health Sector;
· regulation of recruitment processes, employment procedures, migration patterns and endorsement and certification towards residential status of foreign health professionals in the Republic of South Africa (in compliance with Immigration legislation);
· management of foreign health workforce (in accordance with the policy as approved by the National Health Council) of foreign health professional migrating to and within South Africa;
· recruitment of suitably qualified persons with proven skills and experience, with preference to recruitment from countries where the professional training and education meet the minimum requirements for registration in South Africa. The primary aim is to allow for recruitment from abroad to deploy health professionals with the relevant skills and competencies to work in under-serviced/remote areas of South Africa.
(d) A total of 3 319 applications from 1 937 applicants were received for the period January 2010 up to 31 August 2010. Some applicants submitted more than one application during this period, as the process requires a number of different stages (e.g writing pre-registration examinations, seeking employment, endorsement of a job offer for employment and registration).
(e) Algeria, America, Angola, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Mynmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, South African permanent residents and citizens, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri-Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America.
(f) Basic Ambulance Assistants, Bio-Chemists, Biokineticists, Biomedical Technologists, Care givers, Clinical Associates, Clinical Psychologists, Counsellors, Dental Assistants, Dental Therapists, Dentists, Dieticians, Educational Psychologists, Nursing Educators, Environmental Health Officers, Medical Doctors, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Medical Technologists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Radiographers, Research Pharmacologists, Social Workers, Speech Therapists.
(g) (i) 230;
(ii) 26;
(iii) 26;
(iv) 14;
(v) 89.
QUESTION NO. 2259
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 23)
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department and/or any of its entities has purchased any 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament (a) clothing or (b) other specified paraphernalia; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, in each case, (i) what are (aa) the details and (bb) the total cost of the items purchased, (ii)(aa) how many items have been purchased and (bb) why, (iii)(aa) to whom has each of these items been allocated and (bb) why have these items been allocated to these persons and (iv)(aa) on what basis was the decision taken to purchase each of these items and (bb) on whose authority was the decision taken to make these purchases?
NW2767E
REPLY:
Yes.
(i) (aa) Protective uniform jackets and caps;
(bb) R964,764
(ii) (aa) 1 985 reflective jackets and 1 825 reflective caps country-wide
(bb) To provide standardized uniforms to all personnel deployed for 2010 FIFA World Cup duties
(iii) (aa) To personnel deployed for 2010 FIFA World Cup duties
(bb) To provide environmental protection and ensure that all personnel deployed were readily identified by spectators and officials by means of a standardized and highly visible uniform
(iv) (aa) To ensure uniformity and that personnel were readily identifiable
(bb) The Director-General.
QUESTION NO. 2227
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 23)
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department and any of its entities has (a) purchased or (b) leased any buildings for administration (i) in the (aa) 2008-09 and (bb) 2009-10 and (ii) for the 2010-11 financial years; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (aaa) what is the cost of the building, (bbb) what is the size of the building, (ccc) why was it bought or leased, (ddd) what will be its use, (eee) who will occupy it and (fff) approximately how many persons will occupy the total space of each building;
(2) whether his department and any of its entities intends purchasing or leasing any buildings for administration for the (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 financial years; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (i) what is the cost of each building, (ii) what is the size of each building, (iii) why will it be bought or leased, (iv) for what will it be used, (v) who will occupy it and (vi) approximately how many persons will occupy the total space of each building?
NW2735E
REPLY:
(1) and (2) The response is as follows:
National Department of Health:
The National Department of Health is housed in Civitas Building which is a State-owned building belonging to the Department of Public Works, therefore it does not fall under "leases" or "purchases".
The Department does however have regional offices in various parts of the country, the details of which are reflected in the attached Annexure A for the purpose of this question.
South African Medical Research Council (MRC)
(1) The MRC did not purchase or lease premises for administration purposes in the (aa) 2008-09 and (bb) 2009-10 and (cc) 2010-11 financial years. There was no business need to do so, as the MRC uses its own premises as indicated in (2) below.
(2) The MRC has no intention to purchase or lease premises for administration purposes in respect of the (a) 2010-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 financial years. The MRC owns premises situated at the following locations wherein the business of the MRC is conducted from:
· Medicina- Tygerberg: Cape Town, Western Cape purchased in 1971;
· RIND/NIVS- Tygerberg: Cape Town, Western Cape purchased in 1974;
· Delft: Cape Town, Western Cape purchased in 1989;
· MRC- Pretoria: Acardia, Gauteng purchased in 1988; and
· MRC 491 Ridge Road: Overport, KwaZulu-Natal purchased in 2001
National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
(1) The NHLS leased premises for administration purposes in the (aa) 2008-09 and (bb) 2009-10 financial years (ii) the NHLS has not leased premises for administration purposes for the 2010-11 financial years because the period of the current leased property will expire in 2011 or beyond and there has not been a need identified to either lease or purchase property for 2010-11.
Table 1 attached further elaborates on question 1 with regard to the premises leased by the NHLS for the period under review.
(2) The NHLS is unable to indicate at this stage if there are any intentions of Purchasing or leasing any additional buildings for Administration for the 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013 and 2013 to 2014 Financial Years, other than the premises already indicated on the above table.
Council for Medical Schemes
(1) The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) has not purchased any building for administration purposes. The CMS has (b) leased its current premises for (aa) 2008-09 and (bb) 2009-10; and (ii) 2010-2011 financial years.
(aaa) The operating lease commitment was as follows:
· 2008/2009: R2 843 558;
· 2009/2010: R3 042 607;
· 2010/2011: R4 024 564;
(bbb) The size of the building is 2117 square meters. The lease contract was renewed 1 July 2010 for further 3 year period expiring 31 May 2013 and the size of the building increased to 2488 square meters.
(ccc) The premise was leased for administration purposes as well as to house personnel of the CMS.
(ddd) The premise is used to house personnel of the CMS and for administration purposes in order to fulfill the mandate of regulating medical industry.
(eee) The personnel of the CMS.
(fff) The building initially housed 78 personnel members on average; however the building size was increased to house the growing staff complement of approximately 100 personnel.
(2) Looking towards the future financial years 2011-2014 the CMS Registrar appointed a relocation committee consisting of five senior management personnel. The aim of this committee is to investigate whether CMS needs to purchase or lease a new building as the current building is fully occupied leaving no room for any expansion in staff compliment. The current lease contract was renewed 1 July 2010 for further 3 year period expiring 31 May 2013 for 2488 square meters building.
(i) The committee referred to above is also mandated to do thorough cost analysis of all possible scenarios;
(ii) Still to be determined;
(iii) To accommodate the growing staff complement of the organization;
(iv) To house the personnel of the CMS;
(v) The CMS staff; and
(vi) Approximately 100 or more staff members will be accommodated.
QUESTION NO. 2201
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 23)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether there are any national norms which stipulate (a) how many planned patient transport vehicles each province should have and (b) what the prescribed staffing levels with regard to these vehicles are; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
(2) whether each province has dedicated planned patient transport vehicles to transport patients from one health institution to another; if not, (a) why not, (b) which provinces do not have such a facility and (c) how are patients transported to other health institutions; if so, how many vehicles are dedicated to transporting patients in each province;
(3) what are the (a) optimal and (b) actual staffing levels of planned patient transport in each province?
NW2708E
REPLY:
(1) (a) presently there are no national norms.
(b) There are no national norms because this is a relatively new programme which provinces are in the process of implementing. Health Institutions have been providing transport for patients to other institutions at their own cost, this is in spite of the fact that their staff did not comply with the Health Professions Council's (HPCSA) training and operational requirements. Some health institutions are utilising private sector to move patients from one facility to the other.
(c) in some provinces, patients are transported by ambulances and patient transporters provided by the provincial emergency medical services.
The National Emergency Strategic Framework was developed and has not yet been formally adopted, it will be reviewed in due course to ensure that it addresses the staffing norms of planned patient transport.
(2) and (3) The table below reflects the information in this regard
Table 1.
Province | PPT available (Y/N) | No of Vehicles | Staffing (Actual) | Staffing (Optimal) |
Western Cape | Y | 73 | 80 | 244 |
Free State | Y | 48 | 48 | 96 |
KZN | Y | 151 | 179 | 389 |
Gauteng | Y | 143 | Awaiting response from the province | Undetermined yet |
Eastern Cape | Y | 69 | 70* currently part of operational staff | 160 |
Limpopo | Y | 100 | 100* based at institutions | 400 |
North West | N | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Northern Cape | N | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Mpumalanga | N | Nil | Nil | Nil |
QUESTION NO. 2200
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 23)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether each province has a centralised call centre for Emergency Medical Services (EMS); if not, what is the situation in each province;
(2) whether there are any national norms with regard to the staffing of such call centres; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) what are the (a) optimal and (b) actual staffing levels at each call centre in each province?
NW2707E
REPLY:
(1) Not all the provinces have a centralised call centre for EMS; most of the provinces have decentralised call centres
Name of Province | Centralised call centre | No & Type of call centre(s) |
Gauteng | No | 6 (decentralised) |
KZN | No | 12 (decentralised) |
Limpopo | No | 2 decentralised |
NW | No | 4 (decentralised) |
NC | No | 5 decentralised |
EC | No | 8 (decentralised) |
Mpumalanga | No | 3 (decentralised) |
WC | No | 6 (decentralised) |
FS | Yes | 1 centralised |
(2) Presently there are no national norms with regards, to staffing of call centres. Provinces are applying a staffing ratio of 1 call-taker to 10 ambulances and 1 dispatcher per 10 ambulances.
(3) The Table below reflects the details in this regard
Province | (staffing) Actual | (staffing) Optimal |
EASTERN CAPE | 208 | (324) |
FREE STATE | 87 | (120) |
GAUTENG | 126 | (264) |
KWAZULU | 314 | (405) |
LIMPOPO | 62 | (160) |
MPUMALANGA | 52 | (100) |
NORTH WEST | 112 | (160) |
NORTHERN CAPE | 21 | (140) |
WESTERN CAPE | 121 | (227) |
Total | 1103 | 1900 |
QUESTION NO. 2198
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 23)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether any provincial medicine depots have owed any monies to service providers on 15 August 2010 for (a) 1-30 days, (b) 31-60 days, (c) 61-90 days, (d) 91-120 days and (e) more than 121 days; if so, (i) which provincial depots, (ii) what amount was owed in each case and (iii) for what specific medication and/or consumables was the money owed?
NW2704E
REPLY:
According to the Provincial Departments of Health, the following is information in this regard:
FREE STATE
Yes, the details are as shown in the following table:
Item | (a) 1-30 days R' | (b) 31-60 days R' | (c) 61-90 days R' | (d) 91-120 days R' | (e) 121 days plus R' | Total debt |
Pharmaceuticals | 6,490,644 | 57,302 | Nil | 137,007 | Nil | 6,684,952 |
Medical Consumables | 915,437 | 55,587 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 971,024 |
Hospital Forms | 13,965 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 13,965 |
Pharmaceutical Direct Delivery | 2,309,219 | 7,678 | 326 | Nil | Nil | 2,317,223 |
Medical Consumable Direct Delivery | 40,628 | 7,558 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 48,186 |
TB Drugs | 479,594 | 2,011 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 481,605 |
Immunisation Vaccines | 5,487,282 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 5,487,282 |
ARVs | 10,759,259 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 10,759,259 |
26,496,027 | 130,135 | 326 | 137,007 | Nil | 26,496,027 |
MPUMALANGA
(a) 1-30 days: R57,888,751.13
(b) 31-60 days: Nil
(c) 61-90 days: Nil
(d) 91-120 days: Nil
(e) More than 121 days: Nil
(i) Middleburg Provincial Depot
(ii) As stated in (a) above
(iii) R38,286,000 for pharmaceuticals and R19,602,751.13 for ARVs.
NORTHERN CAPE
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL DEPOT |
| |
COMPANY NAME | Amount Owed 1- 30 DAYS | Amount owed 31 - 60 DAYS |
Pharmadyne Healthcare | R 22,687.87 | |
Alcon Laboratoeries | R 58,123.01 | |
Equity Distributors | R 22,502.37 | |
Ssem Mthembu Medical | R 44,959.46 | R 606.36 |
Barrs Pharmaceuticals | R109,813.83 | |
Egoli Pharmaceuticals | R 2,191.53 | |
Synthechon | R 12,768.46 | |
Dismed Med Distributors | R 9,040.00 | |
Pharmaceutical H C | R 62,550.62 | |
International H C | R 468,143.33 | |
Aspen Pharmaceuticals | R1,025,379.00 | R22,110.17 |
TOTAL | R1,838,159.48 | R22,716.53 |
(iii) The following are specifics:
1. Alcon Laboratories: R58, 123.01
These invoices are in respect of medicines for Ear/Nose/Throat (ENT) treatment.
2. Aspen Pharmaceuticals: R1, 025, 379.00
These invoices are in respect of a wide range of pharmaceuticals that would include Creams and Ointments, Tablets (A-L range), Tablets (M-Z range), External Liquids, Injections as well as Scheduled medicines.
3. Barrs Pharmaceuticals: R109, 813.83
These invoices are in respect of Creams and Ointments and Scheduled medicines.
4. Dismed Med. Distributors: R9, 040.00
This invoice is in respect of Disinfections.
5. Egoli Pharmaceuticals: R2, 191.53
This invoice is in respect of Tablets (A-L range).
6. Equity Distributors: R22, 502.37
These invoices are in respect of Creams and Ointments and Disinfectants.
7. International H C: R468, 143.33
These invoices are in respect of Creams and Ointments, Cold Chain medicines, Scheduled medicines, Injections, ENT, TB medicines, Nutrition, Tablets (M-Z) and Tablets (A-L).
8. Pharmaceutical H C: R62, 550.62
These invoices are in respect of Tablets (M-Z), Creams and Ointments, Injections, Scheduled medicines, ENT, Internal Liquids, Contraceptive Agents and Cold Chain medicines.
9. Pharmalyne Healthcare: R22, 687.87
This invoice is in respect Tablets (M-L).
10. SSEM Mthembu Medical: R44, 959.46
These invoices are in respect of Dinfectants.
11. Synthechon: R12, 768.46
These invoices are in respect of surgicals.
NORTH WEST
(a) 1-30 days: Nil
(b) 31-60 days: R54 350,441.49
(c) 61-90 days: Nil
(d) 91-120 days: Nil
(e) More than 121 days: Nil
(i) North West (Mmabatho) Medical Depot
(ii) As stated in (a) above
(iii) R36, 984, 078.01 for Pharmaceuticals; R5, 667,821-25 for consumables; and R11, 698,542.23 for ARVs
QUESTION NO. 2197
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 23)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any provinces are currently using and/or used the services of a helicopter for emergency medical services; if not, why not; if so, (a) which provinces, (b) how many helicopters are used, (c) when was the agreement to use this service first signed, (d) when did the agreement lapse and (e) what was the value of the agreement;
(2) whether any of the helicopters have restrictions that prevent them from lifting a patient with a particular height and weight; if so, what were the restrictions in each case?
NW2703E
REPLY:
(1) The table below reflects responses to (a) to (d) questions:
Table 1.
(a) Provincial DoH | Current Provider | (c) & (d) Type of Contract | (b) No of Helicopters |
Eastern Cape | NAC | Not on RT 79/expires October 2010 | 1 |
Free State | SA Red Cross AMS | Current contract /expires May 2011 | 1X B4 Squirrel |
Gauteng | Netcare 911/ER 24 | Call-by-call basis | n/a |
Kwa-Zulu Natal | SA Red Cross AMS | Not on RT 79/ month to month contract | 1X B3 Squirrel (heli), 1X B2 Squirrel (heli) (to be replaced with new Agusta 119 Ke |
Limpopo | SA Red Cross AMS | Existing contract /expires may 2011 | 1X B4 Squirrel |
Mpumalanga | SA Red Cross AMS | Current contract – expires May 2011 | 1X B4 Squirrel |
North West | Nil | Nil | 0 |
Western Cape | SA Red Cross AMS | Existing Contract expires in May 2011 | 2X Agusta 119 Ke |
(e) The above mentioned contract commenced on the 01 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 and the estimated value for the contract is R300 million.
* The Eastern Cape Province is currently using one (1) helicopter for aero medical services. The agreement to use this service was signed in 2008 and will come an end at the end of October 2010.
The value of the agreement is R360, 000 per month for a guaranteed 30 hours of flying time and R12, 000 per hour flying time for every call thereafter.
(2) All rotor-wing aircraft (helicopters) have specific limitations in terms of safe operating weight that is further affected by both climatic conditions and altitude. Most of the helicopters used by our provinces are single engines. The operational weight in these aircrafts includes that of the crew members (1 x pilot and 2 x medical crew), fuel, a fully compliant Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 138 medically configured aircraft interior and state of the art life-saving medical equipment. The pilot has the ultimate decision when flying a patient taking into account a number of operational and technical factors including the ability to control the machine (helicopter) with a load (patient). Furthermore, due to the limited space inside most of our aircrafts, It is correct that, a patient may be denied aero-medical services evacuation via rotor-wing aircraft based upon either weight and/or height. This is because weight and height in a helicopter will also be affected by the type and make (product) of the stretcher/ trauma board where the patient will be placed in the helicopter. Weight and height should not exceed the pilot's safety requirements. These are exceptions rather than norms and there are informed by amongst other factors, by safety considerations in rotor-wing operations in the emergency medical services field.
QUESTION NO. 2125
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) With reference to his reply to question 1835 on 18 July 2010, (a) what are the names of the 65 antiretrovirals (ARVs) that have been registered since the inception of the backlog project and (b) which pharmaceutical company lodged the application in each case;
(2) (a) how many ARV applications are still awaiting registration, (b) when was the application made in each case, (c) which pharmaceutical company made the application and (d) how many of these applications are for a combination dose ARV?
NW2565E
REPLY:
(1) (a) and (b) The names of the ARVs registered since the inception of the backlog project, as well as the names of the companies who lodged the application for such ARVs are contained in the table below. The list however reflects a total of 77 ARVs registered as at the last meeting of the MCC of 23 July 2010.
Table 1 - ARV's registered by the MCC since the inception of the backlog until 23 July 2010
NUMBER | PROPRIETARY NAME | APPLICANT | |
1 | A40/20.2.8/0778 | Sonke-Abaclamizid | Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd |
2 | 41/20.2.8/0387 | Bavir Oral Solution 20 Mg/Ml | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
3 | 41/20.2.8/0593 | Staid 20 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
4 | 41/20.2.8/0594 | Staid 30 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
5 | 41/20.2.8/0595 | Staid 40 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
6 | 41/20.2.8/0599 | Adco-Stavudine 20 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
7 | 41/20.2.8/0600 | Adco-Stavudine 30 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
8 | 41/20.2.8/0601 | Adco-Stavudine 40 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
9 | 41/20.2.8/0538 | Zenvir Capsules 50 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
10 | 41/20.2.8/0539 | Zenvir Capsules 100 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
11 | 41/20.2.8/0540 | Zenvir Capsules 200 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
12 | 41/20.2.8/0747 | Prezista | Pharmacare Limited |
13 | 41/20.2.8/0988 | Aspen Abacavir 20 Mg/Ml | Pharmacare Limited |
14 | 41/20.2.8/0957 | Auro-Didanosine Tablets 100 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
15 | 41/20.2.8/0958 | Auro-Didanosine Tablets 150 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
16 | 41/20.2.8/0959 | Auro-Didanosine Tablets 200 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
17 | 41/20.2.8/0960 | Nadacine Tablets 100 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
18 | 41/20.2.8/0961 | Nadacine Tablets 150 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
19 | 41/20.2.8/0962 | Nadacine Tablets 200 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
20 | 41/20.2.8/0685 | Zynovir Capsules 100 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
21 | 41/20.2.8/0686 | Zynovir Capsules 250 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
22 | 41/20.2.8/0917 | Bavir Tablets 300 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
23 | 41/20.2.8/0916 | Colazid Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
24 | 42/20.2.8/0032 | Auro-Didanosine Oral Solution 2 G | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
25 | 42/20.2.8/0033 | Auro-Didanosine Oral Solution 4 G | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
26 | 42/20.2.8/0111 | Avirez | Pharmacare Limited |
27 | 42/20.2.8/0565 | Pharma-Q Lamivudine Syrup | Pharma-Q (Pty) Ltd |
28 | 42/20.2.8/0560 | Medpro Tenofovir 300 | Cipla Medpro (Pty) Ltd |
29 | 42/20.2.8/0561 | Cipla-Tenofovir 300 | Cipla Life Sciences (Pty) Ltd |
30 | 42/20.2.8/0202 | Nysivir Oral Solution 2 G | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
31 | 42/20.2.8/0203 | Nysivir Oral Solution 4 G | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
32 | 42/20.2.8/0973 | Renzir 50 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
33 | 42/20.2.8/0974 | Renzir 100 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
34 | 42/20.2.8/0976 | Refavin 50 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
35 | 42/20.2.8/0977 | Refavin 100 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
36 | 42/20.2.8/0978 | Refavin 200 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
37 | 42/20.2.8/0979 | Adco-Efavirenz 50 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
38 | 42/20.2.8/0980 | Adco-Efavirenz 100 Mg | Adcock Ingram Limited |
39 | 42/20.2.8/0466 | Bindopin Tablets 200 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
40 | 42/20.2.8/0473 | Zenvir Tablets 600 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
41 | 42/20.2.8/0936 | Sonke Lamivudine+Zidovudine 150/300 And Sonke-Efavirenz 600 Co-Pack | Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd |
42 | 43/20.2.8/0356 | Aluvia 100/25 | Abbott Laboratories Sa (Pty) Ltd |
43 | 43/20.2.8/0181 | Aspen Tenofovir | Pharmacare Limited |
44 | 42/20.2.8/1093 | Bindolam Oral Solution 10 Mg/Ml | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
45 | 42/20.2.8/0987 | Zynovir Oral Solution 50 Mg/5 Ml | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
46 | 43/20.2.8/0287 | Bindopin Suspension 50 Mg/5 Ml | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
47 | 43/20.2.8/0695 | Sonke Tenofovir 300 | Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd |
48 | 43/20.2.8/0500 | Dorik Tablets 200 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
49 | 43/20.2.8/1102 | Ap Lamivudine 150 Mg | Pharmacare Limited |
50 | 43/20.2.8/0499 | Auro Ribavirin Tablets 200 Mg | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
51 | 43/20.2.8/0386 | Adco-Abacavir Tablets | Adcock Ingram Limited |
52 | 43/20.2.8/0385 | Abavaid Tablets | Adcock Ingram Limited |
53 | 44/20.2.8/0344 | Sonke-Didanosine 250 | Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd |
54 | 44/20.2.8/0345 | Sonke-Didanosine 400 | Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd |
55 | 44/20.2.8/0294 | Adco-Lamivudine 300 Mg Tablet | Adcock Ingram Limited |
56 | 44/20.2.8/0296 | Lavos 300 Mg Tablet | Adcock Ingram Limited |
57 | 44/20.2.8/0295 | Retlam 300 Mg Tablet | Adcock Ingram Limited |
58 | 44/20.2.8/0445 | Cipla-Tenofovir/Emtricitabine | Cipla Life Sciences (Pty) Ltd |
59 | 44/20.2.8/0446 | Didivir | Cipla Medpro (Pty) Ltd |
60 | 43/20.2.8/0724 | Aspen Abacavir 300 | Pharmacare Limited |
61 | 43/20.2.8/0832 | Aspen Lamivudine 300 Mg | Pharmacare Limited |
62 | 44/20.2.8/0588 | Deladex 200 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
63 | 44/20.2.8/0589 | Deladex 250 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
64 | 44/20.2.8/0590 | Deladex 400 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
65 | 44/20.2.8/0599 | Segiref 200 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
66 | 44/20.2.8/0600 | Segiref 250 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
67 | 44/20.2.8/0601 | Segiref 400 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
68 | 44/20.2.8/0602 | Soniren 200 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
69 | 44/20.2.8/0603 | Soniren 250 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
70 | 44/20.2.8/0604 | Soniren 400 Mg Dr Capsules | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
71 | 44/20.2.8/0087 | Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Auro 200/300 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
72 | 44/20.2.8/0086 | Tyricten 200/300 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
73 | 44/20.2.8/0288 | Stabinez 600 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
74 | 44/20.2.8/0291 | Apafar 600 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
75 | 44/20.2.8/0309 | Vireno 300 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
76 | 44/20.2.8/0307 | Zefin 300 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
77 | 44/20.2.8/0308 | Cylor 300 Mg Tablets | Aurobindo Pharma (Pty) Ltd |
(2) (a) A total of 163 applications are awaiting registration.
(b) (i) 4 were made in 2003;
(ii) 2 were made in 2004;
(iii) 2 were made in 2005
(iv) 15 were made in 2006;
(v) 22 were made in 2007;
(vi) 22 were made in 2008;
(vii) 63 were made in 2009; and
(viii) 33 were made in 2010.
(c) This information cannot be made available, in terms of Section 34 (secrecy clause) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965).
(d) a total of 85 applications.
QUESTION NO. 2067
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 19)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department has conducted any research into the negative effects of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT); if not, (a) why not and (b) when will such research be conducted; if so, (i) when was the research conducted, (ii) by whom and (iii) what were the findings;
(2) whether his department has studied any other research into DDT conducted by people outside his department; if so, (a) who conducted the research, (b) when was it conducted and (c) what were the findings of the research;
(3) whether his department (a) accepted or (b) rejected the findings of the research conducted by people outside his department; if so, (i) on what basis were the findings (aa) accepted or (bb) rejected in each case and (ii) who in his department made the decision to accept or reject the findings of the research in each case?
NW2466E
REPLY:
The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the answer we gave to Question 1454 asked by Honourable Lamoela on 14 May 2010 in this regard.
QUESTION NO. 2065
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 19)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What amount has been (a) budgeted and (b) spent for each hospital and clinic in each province with regard to (i) general maintenance and (ii) maintenance of equipment (aa) in the (aaa) 2007-08, (bbb) 2008-09 and (ccc) 2009-10 financial years and (bb) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether each specified hospital and clinic has a technical manager who is responsible for the institution's maintenance; if not, (a) which hospitals do not have such a technical manager, (b) in which provinces are they and (c) who is responsible for the maintenance of these institutions; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2464E
REPLY:
The following table highlights the amount of money budgeted and spent on maintenance for both facilities and equipment in all the provinces, according to the National Treasury as our source of this information:
Province | 2007/2008 – Budget 0,000 | 2007/2008 – Expenditure 0,000 | 2008/2009 – Budget 0,000 | 2008/2009 – Expenditure 0,000 | 2009/2010 – Budget 0,000 | 2009/2010 – Expenditure 0,000 |
Eastern Cape | 121,500 | 66,156 | 146,277 | 146,277 | 491,015 | 260,365 |
Free State | 65,674 | 37,086 | 60,013 | 24,635 | 59,393 | 57,659 |
Gauteng | 378,090 | 397,510 | 336,290 | 281,329 | 460,702 | 325,063 |
KwaZulu/Natal | 335,529 | 356,171 | 395,700 | 332,500 | 322,005 | 356,171 |
Limpopo | 23,736 | - | - | - | 53,174 | 53,174 |
Mpumalanga | 20,500 | 3,338 | 3,678 | 2,360 | 3,678 | 24 |
Northern Cape | 2,085 | 427 | 2,400 | 472 | 10,966 | 10,240 |
North West | 45,241 | 45,241 | 47,030 | - | - | 49,878 |
Western Cape | 80,197 | 84,155 | 85,197 | 85,197 | 113,405 | 113,405 |
TOTAL | 1,072,552 | 990,084 | 1,076,585 | 872,770 | 1,514,338 | 1,225,979 |
QUESTION NO. 2000
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 18)
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Why was medical waste from clinics not included in the initial contract that the Limpopo Department of Health awarded to a certain company (name furnished) in 2005 to dispose of medical waste;
(2) whether all the prescribed procurement processes were followed in awarding this contract to the said company in 2005; if not, what are the relevant details; if so, how was this conclusion reached;
(3) (a) what extra amount per month was paid to the said company when the contract was eventually extended to include the disposal of medical waste from the province's clinics and (b) what happened to the medical waste that was generated during the period for which there was no contract to dispose of medical waste from these clinics;
(4) whether the said company has put up a treatment facility in terms of the requirements of the initial tender; if not, why not; if so,
(5) whether the treatment facility has been licensed and is operating; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
NW2397E
REPLY:
(1) Clinics were not included due to insufficient funding at the time.
(2) Yes, all prescribed procurement processes were followed. The bid was awarded to the company that complied with all the evaluation criteria.
(3) (a) R667 000;
(b) The Department was guided by the following basic principle on safe handling and storage of health waste:
· the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that where legal requirements cannot be met, health care facilities can burn hazardous health care waste in open trenches within the premises. (Safe Management of waste from health care facilities: 1999 WHO, Geneva).
· The South African National Standards (SANS) 10248:2004, sec A.5,5 strongly recommends that for safety reasons, health care facilities that are without adequate treatment facilities dispose off their hazardous health waste within their own premises. (SANS 10248:2004: Management of health care waste, edition 2).
(4) Yes, all requirements were adhered to.
(5) Yes, the treatment facility has been licensed and is operating.
(a) Solid Waste Technologies SA (Pty) Ltd (SWTSA)
· it was licensed or permitted in 2002;
· it is operating from City Deep Johannesburg and Cape Town;
· it is managed by Mr Edgar Adams
(b) Thermopower Process Technology (Pty) Ltd.
QUESTION NO. 1999
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 18)
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) What was the original date of expiry of the medical waste contract awarded by the Limpopo Department of Health to a certain company (name furnished) and (b) what is the current expiry date;
(2) what is the Limpopo Department of Health currently paying per kilogram for the disposal of medical waste;
(3) (a)(i) why was a new medical waste tender cancelled by the Limpopo Department of Health in February 2010 and re-invited again in April 2010 and (ii) what is the current status of this tender and (b) why have the bids for this tender not yet been evaluated and awarded;
(4) whether the Limpopo Department of Health intends cancelling the current tender process; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2396E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The expiry date was 30 June 2010.
(b) The contract is extended to up to 30 September 2010.
(2) The Department is paying for the entire service, which includes the following: collection, transportation, treatment, disposal of waste, training of staff, provision of liners, wheelie bins, speci-cans and chest freezers for anatomical waste.
(3) (a) (i) The reason was to modify the specifications;
(ii) The original bid (HEDP472/05) has been extended to 30 September 2010 with the same terms and conditions.
(b) The process of evaluation is still on. The tender has not been awarded yet.
(4) The Province has no intention to cancel the tender process.
QUESTION NO. 1994
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 18)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1659 on 28 June 2010, the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has spent any money to initiate and defend any actions, including actions with regard to the Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners (PBECP); if so, in each case, (a) how much, (b) when was the action taken, (c) against whom was the action taken and (d) who took the decision to take such action;
(2) whether any court orders have been granted against the HPCSA and the PBECP (a) in the (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aa) in which courts, (bb) on what dates, (cc) what was the total cost of the court orders and (dd) who is responsible for paying the costs?
NW2391E
REPLY:
(1) The HPCSA has not spent money to initiate and defend any actions, including actions with regard to the Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners (PBECP).
(2) Court orders have only been granted against the HPCSA in the (iii) 2008-09 financial year.
(aa) the matters were before North Gauteng High Court;
(bb) the first court order was granted on 22 July 2008 and the other on 18 February 2009;
(cc) the total cost for the court order granted on 22 July 2008 was R23 532.15 and
(dd) the party responsible for payment was the HPCSA and each party agreed to pay its own costs for the court order granted on 18 February 2009.
QUESTION NO. 1993
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 18)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any institutions applied for (a) registration or (b) reregistration for accreditation to provide short courses for emergency medical services (i) in the (aa) 2006-07, (bb) 2007-08, (cc) 2008-09 and (dd) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aaa) how many in each case, (bbb) when was the application made, (ccc) what was the outcome in each case and (ddd) who made the decision in each case;
(2) whether any institutions were refused accreditation; if so, (a) which institutions and (b) why in each case;
(3) whether all the institutions who received such accreditation are currently providing the short courses for emergency medical services; if not, (a) which institutions are not providing these courses, (b) why not and (c) when will they start providing these courses;
(4) what was the cost of registering or reregistering institutions for each of the abovementioned financial years?
NW2390E
REPLY:
(1) The HPCSA did receive applications from institutions for (a) registration or (b) re-registration for accreditation to provide short courses for emergency medical services (i) in the (aa) 2006-07, (bb) 2007-08, (cc) 2008-09 and (dd) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) during April to June 2010.
(aaa) The following number of institutions applied for accreditation to provide short course for emergency services as per the period under review:
(aa) 2006-07 - eighteen (19) institutions applied;
(bb) 2007-08 - sixty five (65) institutions applied;
(cc) 2008-09 – thirty (30) institutions applied; and
(dd) 2009-10 and (ii) 1 April to June 2010 – forty (46) institutions applied.
Applications foraccreditation to provide short courses for emergency medical services received as follows:
1 APRIL 2006 – 31 MARCH 2007:
- (bbb) April 2006: eight (8) applications were received; (ccc) six applications were approved; one application was requested for further information and the other was to be evaluated (ddd) the decision was taken by the Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners.
- (bbb) June 2006: eleven (11) Applications were received; (ccc) only two applications were approved and the others were either not approved or pending evaluation reports or not considered due to insufficient reasons for the Board to consider the request in view of the moratorium on accreditation; (ddd) decision was taken by the Education Committee.
1 APRIL 2007 – 31 MARCH 2008
- (bbb) April 2007: sixteen (16) Applications were received and (ccc) none were approved, (ddd) the decision was taken by the education Committee.
- (bbb) August 2007: twenty five (25) Applications were received; (ccc) four applications were approved and the others were mostly requested for further information on sustainability, appropriateness, need, accessibility and business plan; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
- (bbb) November 2007: ten (10) applications were received; (ccc) only one application was approved and the others not approved or requested to submit application documents; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
- (bbb) February 2008: fourteen (14) Applications were received; (ccc) eleven applications were not approved; one was deferred pending legal advice and the other two were to be evaluated.
1 APRIL 2008 – 31 MARCH 2009
- (bbb) July 2008: sixteen (16) Applications were received; (ccc) two applications were approved; two were to be evaluated; others not approved due to the Board's intention to phase out the short courses and oversupply of BAA's or were requested to provide more information; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
- (bbb) November 2008: five (5) Applications were received; (ccc) three were approved and the other two's applications were deferred pending meeting with the Department of Health; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Professional Board for Emergency Care.
- (bbb) December 2008: two (2) Applications were received; (ccc) one application was approved and the other was not approved; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Executive Committee.
- (bbb) February 2009: seven (7) Applications were received; (ccc) three applications were approved; one provisionally accredited (pending procurement of all outstanding equipment and verification and evaluations of such equipment) and the others not approved; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education committee.
1 APRIL 2009 – 31 JUNE 2010:
- (bbb) April 2009: eight (8) Applications were received; (ccc) five applications were approved; two not approved and the other requested to apply in prescribed format; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Executive Committee.
- (bbb) June 2009: Six (6) Applications were received; (ccc) four applications approved; one not approved and the other deferred pending a meeting with the Department of Health; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Executive Committee.
- (bbb) August 2009: four (4) Applications were received; (ccc) two applications were deferred pending a meeting with the Department of Health; one was requested to submit application documents for further consideration and the other not approved; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners.
- (bbb) September 2009: eight (8) Applications were received; (ccc) two applications were approved and the others not approved; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
- (bbb) January 2010: eight (8) Applications were received; (ccc) only one application was approved and the rest not approved; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
- (bbb) March 2010: seven (7) Applications were received; (ccc) none of the applications were approved; (ddd) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
- (bbb) April – June 2010: five (5) Applications were received; (ccc) two applications were not approved and the others were requested to submit a business plan and a substantiated motivation (ccc) the decision was taken by the Education Committee.
(2) Yes, the attached table provides details in this regard
(3) All institutions who received accreditation are currently providing short courses for emergency medical services.
(4) There are no fees levied for registering and/or re-registering institutions.
QUESTION NO. 1991
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 18)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any basic ambulance assistance (BAA), accident emergency assistant (AEA) and critical care assistant (CCA) were (a) registered or (b) unregistered by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) (aa) in the (aaa) 2005-06, (bbb) 2006-07, (ccc) 2007-08, (ddd) 2008-09 and (eee) 2009-10 financial years and (bb) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, how many in each case;
(2) what was the registration fee for persons with BAA, AEA and CCA qualifications in each of the abovementioned years?
NW2387E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The following table presents new registrations in the Emergency Care register for the financial years 2005/6 to July 2010 for the BAA, AEA and CCA categories by the Health Professions Council of South Africa are reflected below:-
(aa)
Category | (aaa) 2005-06 | (bbb) 2006-07 | (ccc) 2007-08 | (ddd) 2008-09 | (eee) 2009-10 | (bb) April-July 2010 | Total |
BAA | 8,000 | 9,030 | 9,781 | 9,594 | 10,713 | 3,728 | 50,846 |
AEA[1] | 568 | 571 | 473 | 592 | 701 | 231 | 3,136 |
CCA[2] | 124 | 88 | 71 | 91 | 128 | 15 | 517 |
(b) The following table presents the number ofunregistered in the Emergency Care register for the financial years 2005/6 to July 2010 for the Basic Ambulance Assistance (BAA) Accident Emergency Assistant (AEA) and Critical Care Assistant (CCA) categories by the HPCSA.
(aa)
Category | (aaa) 2005- 06 | (bbb) 2006-07 | (ccc) 2007-08 | (ddd) 2008-09 | (eee) 2009-10 | (bb) April-July 2010 | Total |
BAA | 4,059 | 3,878 | 4,290 | 5,012 | 6,269 | 2 | 23,510 |
AEA | 141 | 180 | 212 | 202 | 217 | 2 | 954 |
CCA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
(2) The following registration fees were (are) applicable for all registration categories in Emergency Care (including the selected categories, namely, BAA, AEA and CCA) in respect of the periods reflected hereunder:-
2005 – 2006 - R165
2006 – 2007 - R165
2007 – 2008 - R181.50
2008 – 2009 - R726.00
2009 – 2010 - R821.00
2010 – 2011 - R945
[1] On the HPCSA register for Emergency Care this category is captured as Ambulance Emergency Assistants
[2] This category is captured as Paramedics on the HPCSA Register for Emergency care
QUESTION NO. 1926
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any operating tables were purchased in the (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 financial years; if so, (i) how many were purchased, (ii) for which hospital, (iii) what was the cost of each operating table, (iv) from which company were they procured and (v) in which country is each of these companies based;
(2) whether any local companies manufacture operating tables; if so, (a) which companies and (b) what is the cost of these operating tables and beds;
(3) what is the motivation for buying operating tables from foreign countries?
NW2314E
REPLY:
(1) The following tables reflect the information in this regard:
2007/08
Province | (i) | (ii) | (iii) | Total Cost | (iv) | (v) |
Free State | 1 | Universitas | R480,050 | R480,050 | R&J Medical | United Kingdom |
Free State | 7 | Boitumelo | R500,000 | R3,500,000 | R&J Medical | United Kingdom |
Western Cape | 1 | New Somerset | R310,442 | R310,442 | Medhold | Germany |
Western Cape | 1 | Karl Bremer | R167,540 | R167,540 | Tecmed | Switzerland |
Western Cape | 1 | Knysna | R288,612 | R288,612 | Medhold | Germany |
Western Cape | 1 | Outdtshoorn | R321,200 | R321,200 | Medhold | Germany |
Western Cape | 1 | Tygerberg | R1,043,000 | R1,043,000 | Medhold | Germany |
Western Cape | 1 | Brewelskloof | R122,700 | R122,700 | Clinical & Medical | Finland |
Western Cape | 2 | Groote Schuur | R947,107 | R1,894,214 | Medhold | Germany |
Western Cape | 1 | GF Jooste | R390,059 | R390,059 | Delta Surgical | Germany |
2008/09
Province | (i) | (ii) | (iii) | Total Cost | (iv) | (v) |
Eastern Cape | 1 | St Patrick's | R496,619 | R496,619 | R & J Medical | United Kingdom |
Northern Cape | 1 | ZK Matthews | R209,889 | R209,889 | RCA | USA |
Western Cape | 1 | Worcester | R475,585 | R475,585 | R & J Medical | United Kingdom |
Western Cape | 4 | Red Cross | R591,886 | R2,367,546 | Medhold | Germany |
(2) Local Manufacturer: Medical Innovations (Somerset West)
Operating tables differ in quality and complexity and the cost ranges from approximately R80 000 to R800 000. It is not possible to make a blanket comparison of locally manufactured and imported operating tables because there is a wide variety of tables and each table has a range of accessories that may or may not be required.
(3) No medical devices/operating tables are bought from foreign countries. All procurement is made from South African companies. However, most operating tables are manufactured overseas, imported and sold by the local dealer/agent. Expensive medical equipment is procured via a tender process, (as per Supply Chain Management procedures) where assessment of tenders takes into account the price, BEE status, local manufacture, and most importantly, compliance to specifications. Local manufacturers are free to offer their tables on the tender and they are assessed as above and any rebates applicable as per Treasury requirements are included. Some provinces have indicated that local manufacturers did not make offers when tenders were published. It is therefore obvious, that if a company does not submit an offer their product will not be considered for procurement.
QUESTION NO. 1907
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 July 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether he has appointed an acting (a) chief financial officer and (b) deputy director general to temporarily fill these vacant positions in his department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) when was the person appointed in each case, (ii) what criteria were applied to determine each person's suitability for the position, (iii) what does the continued employment of each of these acting officials cost each month and (iv) what is the total expenditure incurred upon retaining the services of each of these acting officials from the date of appointment up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether he intends appointing a person to each of these positions on a permanent basis; if so, when;
(3) whether these positions will be advertised; if so, (a) what criteria will be applied to select the requisite person and (b) what will the retention of the appropriately qualified persons cost per month?
NW2293E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Yes;
(i) 01 November 2008;
(ii) Criteria applied were –
· a tertiary qualification and appropriate post-graduate qualification in finance;
· at least seven years applicable experience at senior management level;
· knowledge and experience in accounting, revenue, expenditure, asset and liability management and transactional and developmental accounting;
· strategic leadership skills and experience in the management of strategic projects of national scope.
(iii) Salary of Chief Director plus acting allowance (25%) of the salary of the vacant post;
(iv) Same as answer in (iii) above.
(b) Yes;
(i) 18 March 2010;
(ii) Employed as a Chief Director: Standard Compliance in the relevant Branch of the Department;
(iii) Salary of Chief Director plus acting allowance (25%) of the salary of the vacant post;
(iv) Same as in (iii) above.
(2) Persons will be appointed on a permanent basis as soon as the due processes of recruitment and selection have been finalized.
(3) Yes, the normal due processes will be followed in this regard.
(a) answered above already;
The Department is currently undergoing a review of the organogram. A decision will only be made once this process has been completed.
QUESTION NO. 1882
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many children under the age of 1 died in each province since 1 January 2010 and (b) what was the cause of death in each case;
(2) whether any investigation has been concluded in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether any persons were found guilty of any offence as a result of these investigations; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2190E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The information is for the period January 01 – May 31 for three (3) provinces and January 01 – March 31, 2010 for the other provinces. One province has reported for January 01 – February 28, 2010 (Northern Cape). The attached table shows the data currently available. 4366 children under the age of 1 year died and reported at national level. When the newborns are added, a total 8001 deaths were recorded.
(b) The major causes of death are pneumonia (including tuberculosis), diarrhoea, prematurity, malnutrition, accidents during pregnancy (like bleeding, severe high blood pressure, etc.)
(2) Many children are admitted into hospital and their conditions are known to the health professionals. Pneumonia, diarrhoea and prematurity are the major causes of deaths. Pneumonia is often associated with HIV infection, tuberculosis and unhealthy environments. There are child death review procedures in many institutions. There is a national Ministerial Committee of experts in Child Health which investigates the reported deaths. The aim of the reviews are to find out the causes of the deaths and not to find out who is to blame for the deaths, because often the deaths are a result of many factors which are often in operation for some time. Diarrhoea can be the result of infection with a virus but aggravated by poor quality of water. If malnutrition is the underlying cause then poverty is the culprit. In most cases HIV infection is the underlying cause.
(3) Health starts in the community and only sick children come to health facilities. The causes of ill-health are by and large in society/environment. The investigations are to find out how future deaths can be prevented (looking at quality of health care and the factors in the community or family that can help promote health) and not who it might be who should be blamed for the deaths. In cases where negligent or deliberate harm is caused by the health worker, those are investigated and they are the ones who take appropriate action, like being struck off the roll. If criminal activity is suspected, those are referred to the police.
Province | January | February | March | April | May | Total |
Deaths in children under one year of age | ||||||
Eastern Cape | 265 | 264 | 270 | 221 | 145 | 1,165 |
Free State | 128 | 106 | 150 | 384 | ||
Gauteng | 55 | 80 | 97 | 269 | 59 | 560 |
KwaZulu-Natal | 263 | 259 | 223 | 224 | 241 | 1,210 |
Limpopo | 161 | 203 | 144 | 508 | ||
Mpumalanga | 97 | 110 | 98 | 305 | ||
North West | 68 | 64 | 44 | 176 | ||
Northern Cape | 40 | 12 | 6 | 58 | ||
Total | 1,077 | 1,098 | 1,032 | 714 | 445 | 4,366 |
Neonatal deaths - early | ||||||
Eastern Cape | 219 | 112 | 128 | 125 | 78 | 662 |
Free State | 43 | 45 | 55 | 143 | ||
Gauteng | 122 | 132 | 164 | 62 | 79 | 559 |
KwaZulu-Natal | 21 | 1 | 147 | 118 | 287 | |
Limpopo | 109 | 113 | 93 | 315 | ||
Mpumalanga | 72 | 51 | 54 | 177 | ||
North West | 55 | 42 | 33 | 130 | ||
Northern Cape | 22 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 42 | |
Total | 663 | 509 | 533 | 335 | 275 | 2,315 |
Neonatal Deaths - late | ||||||
Eastern Cape | 27 | 10 | 26 | 19 | 17 | 99 |
Free State | 12 | 12 | 14 | 38 | ||
Gauteng | 23 | 14 | 20 | 17 | 9 | 83 |
KwaZulu-Natal | 1 | 1 | 19 | 15 | 36 | |
Limpopo | 16 | 10 | 8 | 34 | ||
Mpumalanga | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 | ||
North West | 4 | 7 | 7 | 18 | ||
Northern Cape | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
Total | 89 | 61 | 78 | 55 | 41 | 324 |
Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have complete records for the period January to May 2010.
The other six provinces have not captured their data for April and May 2010.
Data from the Western Cape is not available because of a different system for data collection
QUESTION NO. 1881
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
1881. Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) What has been the contribution of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority to producing health professionals since its inception and (b) how much money has been spent annually;
(2) whether any study has been conducted to assess its impact; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2189E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Since its inception the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) has implemented lots of learnerships and awarded bursaries in different fields of health to produce highly skilled health professionals. Below is the confirmed information indicating the number of learners awarded bursaries and others have gone through the learnership programme in different health related fields.
Financial Year | Projects Funded | Number of Learners | Funds Utilised (R) |
2004-2005 | Learnerships and Bursaries | 963 | 27,397,143.73 |
2005-2006 | Learnerships and Bursaries | 2972 | 55,648,494.81 |
2006-2007 | Learnerships and Bursaries | 2249 | 37,712,881.00 |
2007-2008 | Learnerships and Bursaries | 1919 | 36,456,875.18 |
2008-2009 | Learnerships and Bursaries | 2045 | 41,204,449.32 |
2009-2010 | Learnerships and Bursaries | 2286 | 60,618,802.83 |
Total | 11471 | 259,038,646.87 |
Note: statistics are available for 2000-2003 – unfortunately it has been archived and it will take some time to retrieve it from the warehouse.
The following graph further provides the details as reflected in the above table
(b) The following graph provides the picture on money spent annually in this regard
(2) A number of small impact studies were conducted since the inception of HWSETA. The SETA plans to conduct a major impact study at the end of the 2005-2010 period when the current National Skills Development Strategy II comes to an end. Details of the impact studies done are available on request from the relevant SETA.
QUESTION NO. 1880
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
1880. Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many unregistered nursing colleges were discovered in each province since 1 January 2004, (b) what happened to (i) these colleges and (ii) the students who registered in good faith at these colleges and (c) how many colleges applied for registration during the same period;
(2) (a) how many of these applications were declined and (b) why, in each case? NW2188E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Neither the Department of Health nor the South African Nursing Council (SANC) are aware of any unregistered Nursing Colleges. In terms of SANC definition, a Nursing College is an institution that is approved or accredited by the SANC. If there are any "fly-by-night" colleges purporting to be nursing colleges, these were never reported to us.
(b) Not applicable;
(c) The following table reflects the number of applications for registration:
Name of Applicant | Reason for applying |
Life Healthcare and Zosukuma Nursing College | Application for approval / accreditation of private nursing colleges |
Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and the Campuses are Coronation and Bona Lesedi | Application to re-open former colleges as campuses for the Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College |
KwaZulu/Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces (one application each) | Application to merge existing colleges into one provincial administrative college each, with campuses and sub-campuses |
Western Cape Province | Application to open new campuses for the Western Cape College of Nursing |
(2) (a) Two applications were unsuccessful, namely Life Healthcare College and Zosukuma Nursing College.
(b) They did not comply with requirements of the Council on Higher Education and some of the provisions of the Regulations relating to the Approval of and Minimum Requirements for the Education and Training of a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife i.e requirements for providing the four-year programme.
QUESTION NO. 2100
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 August 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any research has been conducted to determine the ratio of the population in each province to public sector (a) doctors, (b) professional nurses, (c) auxiliary nurses, (d) dentists, (e) optometrists, (f) pharmacists, (g) specified specialists and (g) any other specified health professionals; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when will such research be conducted; if so, (aa) what is the ratio of health professional in each category to population in each province, (bb) when was the research conducted, (cc) who conducted the research and (dd) what methodology was used to determine the ratios;
(2) whether the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued minimum standards with regard to the ratio for each specific category of health professional to population; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2477E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, research has been conducted in the ratio of public sector staff to population per province.
(aa) The Health Systems Trust (HST) regularly publishes information and the table below illustrates the information:
Health and Related Indicators | ||||||||||
2008 Public Sector professionals per 100 000 population | EC | FS | GP | KZN | LP | MP | NC | NW | WC | SA |
Dental practitioners | 1.10 | 2.30 | 3.10 | 0.80 | 1.50 | 2.70 | 3.40 | 1.20 | 3.20 | 1.90 |
Dental specialists | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.30 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.10 |
Dental therapists | 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 0.30 | 0.40 | 0.10 | 0.40 |
Enrolled nurses | 31.8 | 16.2 | 52.2 | 110.5 | 53.8 | 38.3 | 27.0 | 21.9 | 54.4 | 55.4 |
Environmental health practitioners | 2.30 | 2.10 | 0.60 | 2.10 | 4.40 | 2.90 | 2.70 | 1.20 | 0.20 | 2.00 |
Medical practitioners | 17.9 | 23.2 | 32.0 | 34.7 | 17.4 | 18.3 | 35.7 | 14.1 | 37.9 | 26.0 |
Medical researchers | 0.00 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.80 | 0.20 |
Medical specialists | 2.5 | 14.7 | 22.3 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 31.9 | 9.8 |
Nursing assistants | 76.2 | 91.9 | 79.8 | 77.1 | 94.7 | 68.7 | 98.5 | 77.3 | 107.4 | 83.0 |
Occupational therapists | 1.0 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 1.9 |
Pharmacists | 2.9 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 3.1 | 8.7 | 4.5 |
Physiotherapists | 1.00 | 2.20 | 2.60 | 2.90 | 1.60 | 2.00 | 5.10 | 1.10 | 3.30 | 2.20 |
Professional nurses | 114.2 | 94.5 | 111.7 | 136.3 | 127.5 | 102.90 | 155.0 | 81.1 | 123.4 | 116.6 |
Psychologists | 0.70 | 1.00 | 2.30 | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.40 | 1.70 | 1.10 |
Radiographers | 4.5 | 6.2 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 10.7 | 5.2 |
Student nurses | 22.4 | 0.8 | 55.9 | 24.0 | 16.2 | 19.0 | 5.6 | 25.4 | 0.00 | 23.8 |
(bb) The 2008 South African Health Review publication shows the ratios per province for key health professional staff category.
(cc) The HST is an agency which carries out health systems research, and regularly publishes these analyses based on sector needs.
(dd) The methodology used is to divide the number of public sector staff of a particular category reflected for the year in the public sector Personnel Salary Administration System (PERSAL) by the mid-year estimates generated by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) for each province in the year under review – in order to get the ratios per 100 000 population.
(2) The WHO is in the process of issuing minimum standards with regard to each ratio for each specified category of health professional to population as the existing ones are dated. As soon as these are updated, they will be communicated – preferably through the Human Resource for Health Plan under review and which will be produced in March 2011.