Latest news with #MotalataleModiba
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng Hospitals achieve record 806 surgeries on Mandela Day
The Gauteng Department of Health has introduced South Africa's first Treatment Time Guarantees system. Gauteng public hospitals made medical history on Friday by performing 806 surgical procedures in a 12-hour surgical marathon across 29 institutions. The achievement marks the third edition of the Mandela Day Surgical Marathon initiative and represents a significant increase from the 742 surgeries performed in the previous year. According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the province has become the first in South Africa to introduce Treatment Time Guarantees (TTGs), a framework designed to eliminate unnecessary delays in surgical care. Surgical marathon continues The surgical procedures were completed by 7pm on 18 July, surpassing last year's performance by 64 operations. 'The surgical marathon will continue, however, to run until the end of July 2025,' said Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication at the Gauteng Department of Health. This year's procedures focused on critical specialities, including cleft palate repair, cataract surgery, colostomy reversal, and prostate procedures. The operations aimed to enhance patient independence and overall well-being, alongside general surgical interventions. MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the initiative's growing success. 'Since we embarked on the surgical marathons three years ago, each year we surpass the target of the previous year as we strive to do more to make a difference. The work we do during this period is over and above the normal elective surgeries done by our facilities,' she explained. ALSO READ: Gauteng gets R67bn to fix hospitals, slash waiting times and rescue public health Pioneering treatment time guarantees framework The Gauteng Department of Health has introduced South Africa's first Treatment Time Guarantees system. The innovative approach establishes maximum allowable waiting times for various surgical procedures based on urgency and clinical condition. 'This innovative framework is implemented to improve access to surgical care, promote transparency and strengthen public health accountability,' Modiba stated. The strategic reform aims to streamline surgical care access, prioritise patient needs and hold healthcare facilities accountable for timely treatment delivery. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health dismisses linen shortage claims at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital Historic healthcare transformation Speaking at the TTG launch, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko highlighted the province's leadership role. 'Gauteng is taking a historic step in transforming surgical care by introducing the Treatment Time Guarantees. We are leading the way by ensuring that patients receive the surgeries they need without unnecessary delays. 'This framework empowers us to actively manage waiting lists and enhance the quality of care for all,' she said. The MEC added that the initiative draws from international best practices. 'This groundbreaking innovation underscores our commitment to improved healthcare delivery in Gauteng, drawing from global best practices while tailoring the TTG framework to meet the unique needs of our healthcare system,' she noted. ALSO READ: New board members across Gauteng hospitals Facility upgrades enhance patient care Alongside the surgical marathon, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko reopened the newly refurbished Urology Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The upgraded facility can now offer safer, more precise prostate biopsies without requiring a surgical theatre. Additionally, the Helen Joseph Hospital Breast Centre of Excellence has also been reopened with enhanced capabilities. Nkomo-Ralehoko said the upgraded facility will improve early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer through advanced imaging and testing equipment. READ NEXT: DA disputes Gauteng health's denial of hospital linen shortage
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Gauteng police investigate the discovery of six charred foetuses in Soweto
The Gauteng police are appealing for assistance following the disturbing discovery of six charred foetuses in Protea Glen Extension 12, Soweto, on Monday morning. Image: Pixabay / pexels The Gauteng police and the provincial Department of Health have appealed for more information that could lead to the people or institutions responsible for the six foetuses that were discovered in an open veld in Soweto. This comes as the community of Protea Glen Extension 12 in Soweto reportedly woke up to the gruesome discovery of six charred newborn babies at an illegal dumpsite on Monday, July 14, 2025. The incident was confirmed by Gauteng police spokesperson, Lt Colonel Mavela Masondo, who revealed that the police were alerted to the unaccounted-for foetuses on Monday. "Police have opened a case of concealment of birth, with six counts, after six foetuses were discovered in an open veld in Protea Glen, Soweto, on Monday, 14 July 2025. Police were called by a member of the community after a man who was looking for scraps noticed slightly burned foetuses," he said. 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 ✕ As the police continue their investigation, the Gauteng Department of Health stated that it was not aware of the incident. Departmental spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said there are measures for mothers and healthcare professionals to properly dispose of their unborn babies. "The department is not aware. If the body of the foetus weighs more than 1,000g and the parent wishes to bury it, they may contact their funeral parlour to arrange for collection. If the mother requests that the Department of Health incinerate the body, the body is incinerated following the National Health Act,2003 (Act No 61 of 2003) on management and handling of the body/tissue. If the weight of the foetus is below 1,000g, the disposal of the tissue is handled by the registered contracted medical waste company," he said. Modiba urged the community to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible. "The department has records of all choices on termination of pregnancies performed in the departmental health facilities in Soweto." On whether there is a syndicate that operates illegal abortion facilities or whether some healthcare facilities could be responsible, Modiba said at this point, they are not aware of any such syndicates. "The department is not aware of any illegal abortion centres operating in Soweto. If any facility is operating illegally without being designated by the Member of Executive Council (MEC), the department has the power to close it down. The department has records of all choices on termination of pregnancies performed in the departmental health facilities in Soweto," he added.
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Telephone lines down at two major Gauteng hospitals
Technicians are working to restore connectivity at Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospitals. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has confirmed that telephone lines at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital are currently offline due to suspected damage to optical fibre cables. According to the department, the disruption has affected both incoming and outgoing calls at the two major public healthcare facilities, severely limiting telephone communication with patients, staff, and service providers. Fibre cable damage suspected In a statement on Sunday, the department said technical teams had been dispatched and were working to resolve the issue. 'Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital are currently experiencing technical difficulties with their telephone systems, suspected to be linked to damaged optical fibre cables,' said the department. 'Two separate cases have been logged with Telkom, and technicians are actively working to resolve the issue and restore full telephone functionality as soon as possible.' ALSO READ: Alarm raised over 'R1.7bn fire safety gap' at Charlotte Maxeke hospital While efforts to repair the fibre cables are underway, members of the public have been urged to use temporary contact numbers to reach the hospitals. 'In the meantime, the public can contact the hospitals using the alternative numbers provided to reach the appropriate service points,' the department advised. These alternative numbers are available on the department's website and official social media platforms. The department apologised for the inconvenience caused and called for patience as technicians work to resolve the problem. 'We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time,' the statement concluded. ALSO READ: Gauteng health officials raise alarm over baby abductions Water supply restored to Gauteng health facilities Furthermore, water supply has been restored to nearly all Gauteng public health facilities that were affected by Johannesburg Water's ongoing infrastructure maintenance. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba confirmed on Saturday that Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Rand Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and Alexandra Community Health Centre (CHC) were now back to full water supply. 'We are pleased that most of our facilities impacted by the ongoing maintenance work have had their water supply restored as of Thursday afternoon,' said Modiba. ALSO READ: Gauteng health rubbishes claims of corpses left in 'limbo' at Helen Joseph Hospital Hillbrow CHC still affected However, Hillbrow Community Health Centre remains affected due to ongoing water supply issues in the surrounding area. 'The entire Hillbrow area is still impacted. We continue to rely on Johannesburg Water to supply tankers to refill JoJo tanks on site,' Modiba said, adding that services at the facility have not been interrupted. Call for cooperation and understanding Modiba thanked the public for their patience and emphasised the importance of ongoing infrastructure maintenance. 'This maintenance work is critical for the future security of the water supply in the province,' he said. 'We must continue cooperating with utilities like Rand Water and Johannesburg Water, especially when they issue notices about planned interruptions.' He reiterated that while emergency plans remain in place, the department is working closely with water utilities and municipalities to minimise disruptions. 'We truly appreciate the work being done in this area,' Modiba said. NOW READ: Water interruptions affect major Gauteng hospitals
The Herald
30-06-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Health department denies mortuary problems
Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said while the hospital had experienced printing service issues between June 17 and 23, contingency plans were put in place and all affected families had been assisted by Tuesday. 'Contrary to the sensationalised report, the facility's mortuary currently has only one body of a patient who was declared dead on arrival on Wednesday, 25 June. The family of the deceased was eventually traced to KwaZulu-Natal and was notified accordingly,' said Modiba. He said the delay in printing services was due to delayed payments to two service providers, but this had been resolved. 'The department would like to reiterate that currently Helen Joseph Hospital has no corpses that are outstanding and awaiting to be processed as a result of printing challenges,' Modiba said. However, the funeral association's Johan Rousseau on Sunday said the problem had affected at least six cases. 'We've got a serious problem. 'Officials don't understand the trauma this causes for families. Funeral parlours get frustrated because they cannot assist the family properly and in the absence of a regulator or ombudsman there's little recourse,' he said. DA Gauteng spokesperson for health Madeleine Hicklin called on MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to take accountability. 'Despite her shouting from the rooftops that the department is functioning well, the fact that paperwork for the deceased could not be processed shows that the department is irrevocably broken,' Hicklin said. SowetanLIVE
The South African
29-06-2025
- Health
- The South African
Gauteng Health denies body backlog at Helen Joseph Hospital
The Gauteng Department of Health has firmly rejected claims that Helen Joseph Hospital experienced a backlog in processing deceased patients due to a shortage of printer cartridges. ADVERTISEMENT The Democratic Alliance (DA) alleged that corpses could not be transferred to government mortuaries for almost two weeks because of printing delays. However, the department clarified that the hospital currently has only one body in its mortuary, a patient who was declared dead on arrival last Wednesday. Gauteng Health Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba explained that the patient was unidentified at arrival but has since been linked to a family in KwaZulu-Natal. 'The body will now be handed over to the forensic services on Monday,' Modiba confirmed. ADVERTISEMENT Temporary printing issues resolved at Helen Joseph Hospital While the department acknowledged that the hospital did experience technical difficulties, it insists the matter was handled promptly. Modiba said printing problems occurred between 17 and 23 June due to delayed payments to service providers. Despite this, the hospital implemented contingency plans to continue operations. 'Five pending cases were processed by 24 June,' he said. Modiba said that the department had acted to resolve the matter. 'The department would like to reiterate that currently Helen Joseph Hospital has no corpses that are outstanding and awaiting to be processed as a result of printing challenges,' he added. DA criticism met with pushback The Democratic Alliance's claims of mismanagement and neglect at the Helen Joseph Hospital have drawn criticism from the department, which views the allegations as misleading. The department maintains that all patients have been processed appropriately and that no backlog exists. It also reassured the public that steps have been taken to avoid a recurrence of such technical issues. Is public trust in healthcare institutions at risk when administrative issues are politicised? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
