Latest news with #KwaZulu-NatalDepartmentofHealth
IOL News
2 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
KZN Health Department partners with private ambulance services to enhance emergency response
MEC of Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomagugu Simelane announced the department's plan to partner with private ambulance services when she tabled her budget on Tuesday. Image: FILE The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is entering into a partnership with private ambulance services to ensure timely and quality access to emergency medical services. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane made this announcement while presenting her budget in the provincial legislature yesterday. The budget tabled amounts to approximately R56.2 billion. Simelane revealed that, over the past six years, budget cuts have reduced her budget by nearly R14 billion, leaving the department unable to meet some of its critical needs, including the expansion of the ambulance fleet. "As a result, we are now looking into partnerships with private ambulances operating within the province," she stated. Simelane emphasised the need to confront the challenges that directly impact patients. One of the most urgent issues is the pressure on the department's emergency medical services, particularly concerning response times for the evacuation of the sick and injured, as well as inter-facility transfers. "KwaZulu-Natal's vast and difficult terrain, coupled with budget limitations, has meant that we have only been able to replace ageing ambulances and not expand our fleet as much as we would have liked," she explained. In response, the department has decided to establish a panel of licensed EMS service providers to support the current fleet and improve response times. This panel will be drawn from more than 300 licensed service providers currently operating within the province. "Let me be clear: our fleet will continue to focus on emergency evacuations from communities, accident scenes, and high-risk areas, while the private ambulances will assist with the critical function of transfers. This will help the department reduce turnaround times and ensure that patients receive the level of care they need when they need it," she added. Simelane mentioned that the EMS is allocated a budget of R81 million, from which they intend to procure 50 new ambulances and 10-35 seater transport buses. Part of the funds will also be used to pay private service providers for some EMS functions. Chairperson of the committee, Dr Imran Keeka, stated that the committee will be monitoring the issue of EMS closely. "The committee has prioritised emergency medical services through a focused intervention study and will continue to monitor this service rigorously." Sabelo Mthethwa of MK Party commented, "They failed to meet EMS targets because they do not have the infrastructure, and now, instead of solving those problems, you are inviting new problems. It is not going to work and is going to create a lot of issues for healthcare workers." "If you are going to use private ambulances for your inter-facility transfers, one thing you are forgetting is the distance between the two, and it is going to be very costly. This budgeting did not allow for that. The question is, last year they failed to pay service providers on time. How are you going to do this year without increasing the budget for EMS?" he asked. Ncamisile Nkwanyana of the IFP welcomed the budget, stating it would facilitate the appointment of doctors. She urged the government to address the shameful long waiting times in clinics and hospitals, where patients travel long distances only to face long queues. "This erodes their dignity; this humanitarian failure must be rectified without delay." Hlengiwe Mavimbela of the ANC remarked that services such as EMS are the backbone of community services. "The budget also includes strategic adjustments to support EMS and mental health services, which are particularly important in a province facing post-flood trauma, substance abuse, and youth mental health concerns." THE MERCURY
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
KZN Health Department's strategic plans for service delivery amid budget cuts
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane delivered her budget speech at the KZN Provincial Legislature on Tuesday. Simelane stated that this financial year marks the start of our five-year strategic plan framework, which runs from 2025/26 to 2029/30. Image: Supplied Despite budget cuts, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health intends to stretch every rand to ensure improved service delivery in the 2025 and 2026 financial years. Nomagugu Simelane, the KZN MEC for Health, delivered her budget speech at the KZN Provincial Legislature on Tuesday. Simelane stated that this financial year marks the start of a five-year strategic plan framework, which runs until 2029 and 2030 financial years. 'For the past six years, our department has faced significant budget cuts, with more than R8 billion lost to its baseline allocation. This deficit in the budget allocation leaves us struggling to meet the healthcare demands of our province in certain areas,' she said. Simelane said this has severely impacted the department's ability to fill critical posts in nursing, medicine, administrative, and allied health professions. She added that infrastructure development, including a backlog of 250 clinics, has been hindered in some areas, including routine maintenance of some facilities. She explained that the KZN public health inventory of assets includes 69 hospitals, 22 community health centres (CHC), 589 clinics, 84 EMS bases, 33 forensic mortuaries, nursing colleges, administrative offices, and regional laundries. 'We have a responsibility to ensure that these assets are well-managed, well-taken care of, and that they continue to meet the needs of our communities,' she added. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Simelane said that despite funding constraints they have started the construction of new clinics in Nyavini, Mpolweni and Mpaphala. She acknowledged that the construction of Mtubatuba CHC has been delayed due to certain administrative processes. The total health budget is R 56.2 billion which will be distributed as follows; Administration: R1.4 billion District Health Services : R 28.8 billion Emergency Medical Services: R1.9 billion Provincial Hospital Services : R13.9 billion Central Hospital Services: R6.2 billion Health Sciences And Training: R1.6 billion Health Care Support Services: R394 million Health Facilities Management: R2 billion Simelane also touched on the dedication and commitment shown by staff and the employee wellness programmes in place. 'We have made staff training and skills development a top priority, having trained thousands of our staff in various programmes. We will welcome dozens of chaplains into public healthcare facilities across the province to offer spiritual and emotional support to patients and healthcare workers, helping to ease trauma and daily stress,' she said. Simelane said the Emergency Medical Services response times will be improved when it comes to the evacuation of the sick and injured, as well as inter-facility transfers. She said the department has allocated funds to procure 50 new ambulances and 10 thirty-five-seater planned patient transport buses. The department is also expected to contract 130 private GPs to improve the coverage of clinics by doctors. She said the department will also continue to fund psychiatrists to clear forensic mental health backlogs. 'We have noted the recent public outcry regarding the non-employment of doctors, and we fully understand the frustration expressed by many within the profession and broader society,' she said. Dr Imraan Keeka, chairperson of the KZN Health Portfolio Committee, said the health department has made significant strides in addressing challenges facing the province. 'The road to health equity remains long and we expect to encounter obstacles along the way. The withdrawal of funding by the United States of America to provincial health programmes is a setback,' he said. Andile Biyela, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MPL, said Simelane had spoken honestly about the challenges which was the first step to remedy. He said political parties may differ in ideology but when it comes to saving lives there is only the right way. 'Where the department is not doing well they must be called out and when they are doing well they must be commended. The budget invites collaboration,' he said.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
New R14 million CT scanner at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital promises faster patient care
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and officials admire the new 128-slice CT scanner at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital patients will receive faster and more efficient care now that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has procured a CT scanner worth approximately R14 million. On Thursday, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and several officials were at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital to unveil the R14m state-of-the-art CT scanner. Simelane expressed her excitement over the CT scan since the old scan, which had been problematic for more than two years, finally gave up in December last year. It was also difficult to get different parts because it was old. This forced the department to discontinue its use and procure a new machine. The old machine had 16 slices while the new one has 128 slices. 'That impacts the swift response to patients,' Simelane said. 'Allowing more patients to access it, allowing patients to get results as quickly as possible.' 'It is really going to be a game changer for this hospital, considering that this hospital sees over 1,500 patients a day. So you certainly need equipment that's going to allow the hospital to actually do the work in the most efficient way.' Councilor Zamazulu Sokhabase, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital board deputy Nompumelelo Sithole cutting the ribbon during the unveiling of a new CT scanner on Thursday. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers Simelane said it was not a cheap machine. 'That is why, as a department, we couldn't just outright buy a new machine and replace the old one; we had to try and use it as far as we could.' She said last year, she received several complaints from patients saying they had been waiting for a CT scan at the hospital, and others said they were turned back because the machine was not working. 'As the healthcare fraternity, we are concerned about the sharp global increase in cancer cases — globally, across the African continent, in South Africa, and right here in KwaZulu-Natal,' Simelane said. 'The importance of early detection cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to cancer, which is a disease that spreads quickly. Every day counts. Early diagnosis leads to better treatment outcomes. This CT scanner enables quicker detection, faster treatment initiation, and ultimately, better survival rates, especially for cancer patients,' Simelane said. 'So this one is going to be a game changer, and the people who are utilising this facility are going to benefit immensely. 'This is the first for us in the province, and we are going to be rolling it out to other facilities in the rest of the province.' KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and officials admire the R14 million 128-slice CT scan at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Devon Harripersad, a sales representative for AXIM, which provides radiological and imaging solutions to Sub-Saharan Africa, said it is a 128-slice machine, meaning that per second, the machine is slicing, taking out X-rays of a patient. 'You can do a full body scan within seconds, which means that your time limit is reduced, the patient number is increased, and you can do many more studies in terms of this new machine,' Harripersad explained. 'This will help alleviate the backlog.' Harripersad said the machine can be used for cancer and orthopaedics, among others. He also explained that certain studies require them to inject a patient. It is like a dye, it differentiates all the organs from each other and all the tissues, from bone.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Desperate doctors in KwaZulu-Natal offer free healthcare to the public amid unemployment crisis
Members of the public in Pietermaritzburg CBD are receiving treatment from doctors who are demanding to be employed at public healthcare institutions. Image: Supplied Unemployed doctors took their protest against their situation to a humanitarian level this week when they gathered at the doorstep of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health's head office to provide free healthcare treatment to members of the public. The provincial-based doctors, who mostly graduated from various universities across the country, had since the beginning of the year staged three protest marches begging the provincial government to give them jobs. They said their plea had so far fallen on deaf ears. As a result, a group of more than 40 doctors who mostly graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal set up a healthcare station, with five blue gazebo tents in front of the Natalia Building in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday and Thursday. They said that if the department does not respond to their in-kind protest, they would come back to the same venue to provide healthcare services to the public. Among the services they provided were consultations and prescriptions, checking blood pressure, and diabetes for members of the public on the busy Langalibalele Street near the city's biggest long-distance and local taxi rank. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Their spokesperson, Dr Thamsanqa Zakwe, said that despite being broke, the doctors equipped the station with various healthcare tools, which were donated to them by private practitioners. 'We have been protesting against our unemployment since the beginning of the year,' said Zakwe. He said the destitute doctors recently met with Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane to discuss their dissatisfaction with the announcement that the province had only 20 medical profession posts to be filled. Simelane confirmed on June 25 that 20 posts were to be advertised within the next seven days as a beginning of addressing the unemployment of doctors and other healthcare professionals in the province. Zakwe said the province had previously stated that there were about 300 vacant posts. 'It is their admission because this is what they told Parliament when they were asking for financial assistance for the province,' said Zakwe. He said there was a record showing that there were 137 unemployed doctors in the province, which makes 20 posts far less than enough to fill the gap at healthcare centres. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana increased the national health budget from R277 billion in 2024/25 to R329 billion in 2027/28, due to an additional R28.9 billion earmarked for the employment of 9,300 healthcare professionals in public hospitals and clinics across the country. This also includes the placement of 800 post-community service doctors to address staffing shortages in critical areas. 'In continuing with our protest, we are urging the MEC and premier to ask the national Health to fast-track the release of the money for the employment of medical staff in the country. 'We are the only province with no budget for new staff employment in 2025,' Zakwe said. He said other provinces had started recruiting new healthcare workers from their budget, which is separate from the R28.9 billion. 'The situation in KZN is critical, and it should be treated as such,' said Zakwe. The doctors first protested in January but abandoned the action after being told that the Budget had not been tabled for the 2025/2026 financial year. After the Budget was tabled with nothing promising for them, they again protested. 'We are coming back now because the Budget has been finalised and we know that there is that R28 million allocation for the employment of not just doctors, but also nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists,' he said. He said that since Wednesday, there have been more than 120 members of the public per day who came for the free service. People were also given contraceptive and men's healthcare education, and were also advised on how to control their body weight. He said that some of the doctors were registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and were qualified to provide services to the public. 'Some of us have practice numbers. But we have limited our services, taking into account the possible adverse outcome, which might come from dispatching medicine. 'We limited our services to mostly patient education and testing,' he said. Despite being visible outside the health head offices, Zakwe said none of the senior health officials came out to interact with doctors. 'Even when we send emails, we have to prob and prob whether they received our email. Even the responses to those emails are not of substance. 'There is this kind of resistance and reluctance to engage with us on an equal level,' said Zakwe. Simelane previously said that the provincial budget was enough to absorb all the doctors who had finished their community service this year. She said she and Premier Thami Ntuli approached President Cyril Ramaphosa, who referred the matter to the cabinet. 'In the past five years, our department has lost R14 billion to baseline budget cuts. That has greatly affected our ability to expand our staff complement. 'Nonetheless, we continue to prioritise engagements with Treasury and other stakeholders to unlock resources,' said Simelane. The department has not yet responded to questions sent to its spokesperson, Ncumisa Mafunda, on Thursday morning. DA MPL Dr Imran Keeka said financial constraints made it difficult for the provincial government to absorb the doctors 'at present, and any others in the near future'. 'The 20 new appointments being proposed, together with the 150 doctors hired last year, will place further strain on a budget weakened by a decade of underfunding,' said Keeka.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
KZN Health Department calls for official channels for medical complaints
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health calls on the public to refrain from discussing medical grievances on social media. Image: File The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is sending a clarion call to the public, urging individuals to refrain from airing medical grievances on social media platforms. The department appealed to the public to use official complaint mechanisms and protect patient privacy. The department said it was important because: Patient privacy and dignity: Publicly sharing medical details strips patients of their fundamental rights to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality. Not every patient consents to having their health struggles broadcast worldwide. Doctor-patient confidentiality: The department is legally and ethically bound by strict doctor-patient privacy laws (e.g., the Health Professions Act). They cannot and will not publicly discuss patient files or specific medical cases to counter social media claims. Doing so would violate their legal obligations and betray patient trust. Medical complexity: Human physiology and medical treatments are highly complex. What may appear concerning or negligent to a layperson is often standard, scientifically grounded practice (e.g., managing complex wounds, specialised nutritional support, or medically-induced fasting). Years of specialised training equip healthcare professionals to make these nuanced decisions. Harm of misinformation: Public speculation based on incomplete understanding fuels misinformation, damages institutional reputations built on expertise, and causes distress to vulnerable patients and their families. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The department said it has robust, confidential complaint mechanisms designed to address concerns without compromising patient privacy or dignity: Start locally: Raise your concern with the sister-in-charge of the ward. Escalate internally: If unresolved, contact the hospital's Public Relations Officer (PRO). Hospital leadership: Next, approach the Hospital CEO. District level: Escalate further to the District Health Office. Final provincial escalation: If still unresolved, contact the Health MEC's office. PRO, CEO, and district directors' contact details are displayed on notice boards in all health facilities. The department's appeal: Respect patient privacy: Never share identifiable patient details or medical information on social media. Trust the process: Understand that complex medical situations require specialised expertise. Trust the professionals. Use official channels: Our internal mechanisms exist to investigate and resolve concerns confidentially, respectfully, and effectively, protecting all involved. Refrain from public speculation: Avoid simplifying or misrepresenting complex medical situations online. How to raise health-care related concerns with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Image: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health / Facebook Speaking on the department's KZN Health Chat multimedia programme in Durban recently, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane stated that if someone complains that 'health workers don't work or that nurses are useless', they cannot investigate that matter. It helps to know which facility, at what time, and which nurse did what. If the nurse's name is unknown, the time is pertinent. 'We are addressing this in two ways: fixing the issues for those affected and preventing future occurrences,' Simelane said. 'We ask the public to cooperate in this matter. If there is a problem, contact us.' Simelane also urged the public to treat health-care workers well. 'You can't come to the hospital, and they say, 'here is the line, please wait here', and you tell them of your importance.' Simelane said health-care workers have a way of working. 'We need to respect them because we also expect them to respect us as a community. That cooperation is very important.' She added: 'We ask our people, even if you know that I was sick, I was in the hospital, and I was not treated well. We ask people to treat someone's illness with dignity.'
