Latest news with #NomantuNkomoRalehoko
The Herald
06-08-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Gauteng health MEC warns against online vaccine misinformation
Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has sounded the alarm on vaccine misinformation, urging parents not to rely on social media for medical advice as the province launches a mass campaign to stop the spread of measles and rubella. Nkomo-Ralehoko was speaking at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm during the launch of the province's Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign which aims to immunise more than 4-million children aged between six months and under 15 years by September 12. 'To all parents, I want to assure you that this vaccine is free, effective and safe. Do not listen to fake news or misinformation spreading on social media. The lies you read online can cost a life. If you have doubts, do not go to TikTok or Facebook talk to our health professionals at your nearest clinic or district co-ordinators. They will give you facts, not fear,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko. The six-week campaign which is themed 'Lifelong Protection against Measles and Rubella Disease,' comes as Gauteng battles a measles outbreak with more than 370 confirmed cases so far this year with the hardest-hit areas being Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. 'These are not mere statistics. These are real children who were at risk of facing serious complications if we failed to act now,' she said. She explained that the MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine is part of the country's regular child immunisation schedule and is typically given at six and 12 months. The campaign is offering a booster dose to strengthen protection and reach children who may have missed their shots. Vaccinations will be administered in schools, crèches, clinics, taxi ranks, malls and even door-to-door in some communities. Hospitals have also set up additional vaccination points and parents have been issued consent forms through schools. 'Our nurses and health teams are ready. I urge parents, caregivers and guardians to please sign and return the consent forms so we can protect our children,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko. She also spoke about the corner-to-corner campaign, which helps health workers review children's road to health booklets and administer catch-up doses. 'Every missed vaccine is an opportunity for measles to spread. Let us not give the disease a chance,' she said. The MEC appealed to the public and institutions to support the campaign calling on the Gauteng education department, NGOs, faith leaders, private hospitals and universities to join the effort.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Boards ensure public hospitals remain accountable and transparent
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu NkomoRalehoko, on July 11 welcomed and inducted newly appointed hospital board members who will serve at 34 hospitals across the province. The induction ceremony marked an important milestone in strengthening community representation in hospital governance. The nomination process received overwhelming interest, with over 1 500 applications submitted from professionals and community leaders eager to contribute their skills and time. Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Nkomo-Ralehoko praised the public's commitment. 'The overwhelming number of applications shows that our people are ready to partner with us to improve healthcare. It is a powerful sign of active citizenship and gives us hope for the future, especially as we march towards implementing the National Health Insurance,' she said. She also reminded the new members of their important mandate, stating, 'Premier Lesufi has been clear that poor service at hospitals and clinics is one of Gauteng's 13 problems. From today, this problem becomes your problem too. You are our partners in restoring dignity, trust, and excellence in our facilities.' Newly appointed board member Yamkela Rini, who serves on the board of Tara H. Moross Hospital, expressed his excitement to serve. 'Our role is not for financial benefit, but to ensure good governance, proper service delivery, and high standards of care within our hospitals. One of the key issues raised was the growing number of litigations. We want to help the Department of Health and hospital management address this through improved quality, better services, and ensuring proper infrastructure and resources are in place across our healthcare facilities.' The new boards will play a key role in supporting hospital management, improving governance, and ensuring that services remain patient-centred and community focused, thus affirming the Gauteng Department of Health's commitment to transforming healthcare and rebuilding public trust. The new term commenced on July 1 and runs until March 2028. Overall, 222 board members are serving in various facilities. With strong community representation and renewed energy, the new hospital boards are expected to help drive improvements in service delivery and strengthen the province's public healthcare system for all. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
30-06-2025
- Health
- News24
DA slams Gauteng health department over dead bodies ‘left in limbo due to missing printer cartridges'
The DA alleges families were unable to bury loved ones as post-mortems and death certificates could not be processed. The health department confirms a printer issue but says contingency plans resolved the matter. DA's Madeleine Hicklin blames MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and says the system is failing both the living and the dead. The DA in Gauteng has alleged that bodies of patients who died at Johannesburg's Helen Joseph Hospital over the past 13 days cannot be transferred to government mortuaries due to a shortage of printer cartridges needed to produce the required documentation. The party released a statement on Monday, demanding Gauteng MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko ensure that the hospital is stocked with adequate cartridges and resources so that burials are not interrupted or delayed, thereby avoiding unnecessary pain, frustration and trauma for the families of the deceased. This is despite the Gauteng department of health dismissing what it refers to as misleading reports that suggest that the Helen Joseph Hospital mortuary currently has corpses left in limbo due to a shortage of printer cartridges. The spokesperson for the department, Motalatale Modiba, said that, contrary to what he described as a sensationalised report, the facility's mortuary currently has only one body, that of a patient who was declared dead on arrival on Wednesday, 25 June, and was initially unidentified. 'The family of the deceased was eventually traced to KwaZulu-Natal, and they were notified accordingly,' he said. This means that the body will now be handed over to the forensic team on Monday, 30 June, for processing, thereby enabling the family to collect it. Motalatale Modiba Modiba confirmed that while the facility did experience challenges related to printing services, challenges which impacted the turnaround time required to process cases at the hospital mortuary between 17 and 23 June 2025, facility management was able to activate contingency measures. These measures resulted in five families, whose cases were pending, being successfully assisted on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, he explained. 'The issue with printing services arose due to delays in the processing of payments to two service providers,' he said, adding that the matter is currently receiving attention and is being addressed by the department's finance team. Modiba further stated that the department would like to reiterate that there are currently no corpses at Helen Joseph Hospital that are outstanding or awaiting processing as a result of printing-related challenges. However, Madeleine Hicklin, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, maintains that her party received this alarming information from 'credible sources who are calling for immediate intervention'. As a result of this administrative incompetence, since 17 June 2025, families have been unable to claim the bodies of their loved ones for burial, as post-mortems could not be conducted and death certificates could not be issued. Madeleine Hicklin 'MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko must hang her head in shame,' she said. She added that despite the MEC's proclamations that the Gauteng department of health is functioning well, the fact that the necessary paperwork for the deceased cannot be processed is proof that the department is irrevocably broken. Hicklin also argued that this situation is further evidence that, under Panyaza Lesufi's administration, both the living and the dead are not being treated with dignity in Gauteng. 'Because the premier refuses to fire his MEC or even acknowledge her failures, the people of Gauteng are the ones who are left to suffer,' she said.
The Herald
28-06-2025
- The Herald
Gauteng health officials sound alarm over baby abductions from clinics
'Shockingly, the mother left her child on a changing table in the bathroom where an unknown woman offered to assist. On returning, both the woman and the infant were gone. The matter was immediately reported to the police, CCTV footage was reviewed and a photo of the suspect was circulated,' said the department. Thanks to the rapid dissemination of the suspect's image and collaborative efforts by police, health-care staff and the community, the baby was found and reunited with the family. The suspect is now in custody. 'The department commends the swift action taken by facility staff, security personnel, the SAPS and members of the public who played a role in ensuring the safe return of both infants,' the department said. It said despite maximum security at health facilities and CCTV camera surveillance, these incidents highlight the need for heightened vigilance when it comes to the care of children. Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko urged parents and guardians to remain alert and to avoid leaving children unattended under any circumstances. 'We are seeing a trend where parents place their trust in strangers, often during vulnerable moments within health facilities. While we strive to offer a safe and caring environment, we wish to emphasise the importance of vigilance and personal responsibility when it comes to the safety of children,' she said.
The Herald
27-06-2025
- The Herald
Joburg woman in custody over ‘kidnapped' three-day-old baby
Mgijima said according to the suspect, she wanted to claim the child as her own after she miscarried in May. 'She told us she was scared to tell her family and her partner's family she miscarried,' she said. Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko voiced her concern after the incident and another at the Alexandra community health-care centre when a one-month-old infant was allegedly taken after the mother left the child in the care of a stranger on May 12. "We are seeing a trend where parents place their trust in strangers, often during vulnerable moments within health facilities. While we strive to offer a safe and caring environment, we wish to emphasise the importance of vigilance and personal responsibility when it comes to the safety of children," said Nkomo-Ralehoko. She urged all parents and guardians to never leave their children unattended and not entrust their baby to a stranger, no matter how friendly or helpful they may seem. She said it is important to always inform staff if you need assistance or must temporarily step away from your child. TimesLIVE
