Latest news with #Phaahla
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
SA moves to strengthen tobacco control
Through the proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, South Africa is actively working to combat tobacco use, including e-cigarettes and hookahs which are also known as 'hubbly bubblies.' This is according to the Deputy Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, who was delivering a keynote address to commemorate World No Tobacco Day in Midrand, Johannesburg. 'We want to make sure we regulate these upcoming products because currently they're not covered. That is, e-cigarettes and the 'hubbly bubblies.' We want to make sure they are properly regulated because currently they are everywhere,' Phaahla said on Monday. He informed the attendees that the proposed Bill seeks to implement significant changes to tobacco regulation. These changes include the introduction of plain packaging, the expansion of smoke-free zones, stricter controls on emerging tobacco products, regulation of e-cigarettes, and enhanced support for tobacco cessation programs. 'Every life lost through tobacco is preventable. We don't need it in our bodies. Nicotine doesn't add any value,' Phaahla stressed, calling for a united effort from government, civil society, and media to combat tobacco use. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease globally, responsible for over eight million deaths each year, including more than one million from second-hand smoke exposure. World No Tobacco Day is an annual event that raises awareness about the dangers of tobacco use, the practices of tobacco companies, and the efforts of the WHO to combat the tobacco epidemic. It also encourages people worldwide to assert their right to health and healthy living, while advocating for the protection of future generations. Phaahla stated that the Cessation Support Bill, also known as the Tobacco Control Bill, aims to enhance support for users trying to quit and improve their health. However, the Deputy Minister underscored the tobacco industry's aggressive attempts to undermine the legislation. He noted that some individuals sponsored by the industry, have actively opposed the Bill during public hearings. 'Of course, throughout the public hearings, the industry has been spending huge amounts of money, you know, sponsoring people to go to the public hearings. And that's how powerful this industry can be. 'They've also had their own special people who were some of the medical practitioners who have been sponsored to do this, to promote these products as a form of harm reduction, and that our Bill is ignoring these products as part of the package of harm reduction. But we already know that's not the case.' The bill is expected to proceed to Parliament, with government confident that it will pass despite industry pushback. 'We want to assure you that we value your contribution and are confident that this bill will ultimately pass in Parliament despite the efforts of the industry to mobilise even very passionate Members of Parliament …at every turn to find the loophole.' Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister has thrown his weight behind the Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. 'We have a very strong team … led by the Chairperson of the committee, a former colleague in the previous administration, as the Deputy Minister, now chair of the committee. Dr Dhlomo is leading from the front for the team there. So, we're quite confident that we'll succeed.' – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
More than 100 vultures killed in Kruger National Park
Graphic content warning: Not for sensitive readers. A poisoning incident in the Kruger National Park (KNP) resulted in the death of more than 100 vultures. A further 84 were rescued by a joint team of South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) officials. Lowvelder reports that this incident is one of the largest of its kind recorded in the park, according to Isaac Phaahla, the KNP's spokesperson. He says the poisoning, which occurred in the Mahlangeni Section of the park, was detected when the EWT's wildlife poisoning surveillance and detection system triggered an alert at 06:05 on Tuesday, flagging suspicious activity in a remote section of the park. 'Within hours, a joint SANParks and EWT team mobilised, arriving at the site at about 08:20. There they discovered a grim reality – a mass poisoning involving hundreds of vultures, the result of an elephant carcass laced with highly toxic agrochemical pesticides, laid by poachers to harvest body parts for the illegal wildlife trade,' Phaahla says. A total of 123 vultures were found at the scene. Of the 102 white-backed vultures, 20 Cape vultures, and one lappet-faced vulture – all listed as endangered or critically endangered species – 116 were already dead when the team arrived. The initial responders, six SANParks rangers and two EWT officials, found another two vultures alive, but severely affected, roughly 500m from the poisoned elephant carcass. 'This marks one of the largest vulture poisoning incidents in southern Africa, and the most extensive co-ordinated response effort and rescues to date. Over 20 individuals across conservation, veterinary and enforcement sectors played a role in the rescue and response. Without the rapid detection by the EWT's wildlife poisoning detection and surveillance system, and the unprecedented co-operation between NGOs, rangers, vets and SANParks aerial and ranger units, many more birds would have been lost.' 'Those that were found alive were immediately treated, using emergency vulture first aid – atropine, activated charcoal and fluid therapy. Reinforcements were swiftly deployed. Support teams from the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner Veterinary Services and Wildscapes Veterinary Services mobilised within hours, while SANParks activated ranger and aerial support, including the Hope for Wildlife helicopter and additional logistics support, making this the first time SANParks helicopters were formally used in a wildlife poisoning rescue of this scale,' says Phaahla. A remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved among those found alive. Phaahla adds that this horrific incident is part of a broader crisis unfolding across southern Africa – the escalating use of poisons in wildlife poaching. Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species, not just vultures, but also lions. The body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine or muthi. This incident is a setback to the vulture population in the Greater Kruger landscape, which is trying to recover from similar incidents in the past. To curb poisoning of vultures, SANParks is collaborating with various agencies and institutions to address the current increase in incidents. The latest operation highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing this problem. The recovery and treatment of the surviving vultures would not have been possible if such partnerships were not in place. 'We commend every individual who responded to this tragedy. Their courage, skill and relentless commitment transformed a potential extinction-level event into one of the most successful vulture rescues ever recorded. The operation saw helicopters making multiple trips between the incident site and Phalaborwa throughout the day to assist in transporting the vultures,' says Phaahla. How the vultures were saved 84 vultures, including the white-backed, Cape and hooded vultures, were rescued. 45 were transported by the EWT's vulture ambulance, a specialised mobile unit designed to stabilise poisoned birds en route to treatment facilities. 39 others were airlifted by helicopter to the SANParks K9 facility in Phalaborwa for immediate monitoring. A final group was transported later that night to Moholoholo for continued intensive care. Teams, including vets from Wildscapes and Briner Veterinary Services, as well as the Moholoholo team, worked throughout the night to stabilise each bird and keep them alive. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
GRAPHIC CONTENT: More than 100 vultures killed in Kruger National Park
A poisoning incident in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has resulted in the death of more than 100 vultures. A further 84 have been rescued by a joint team of SANParks rangers and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) officials. The incident is one of the largest of its kind ever recorded in the park, according to Isaac Phaahla, the KNP's spokesperson. He said the poisoning, which occurred in the Mahlangeni Section of the park, was detected when the EWT's pioneering wildlife poisoning surveillance and detection system triggered an alert at 06:05 on Tuesday, May 6, flagging suspicious activity in a remote section of the park Within hours, a joint SANParks and EWT team mobilised, arriving at the site at about 08:20. There they discovered the grim reality – a mass poisoning incident involving hundreds of vultures, the result of an elephant carcase laced with highly toxic agrochemical pesticides, laid by poachers to harvest body parts for the illegal wildlife trade,' Phaahla said. A total of 123 vultures were found at the scene. Of the 102 white-backed vultures, 20 Cape vultures, and one lappet-faced vulture – all listed as endangered or critically endangered species – 116 were already dead when the team arrived. The initial responders, six SANParks rangers and two EWT officials, found another two vultures alive, but severely affected, roughly 500m from the poisoned elephant carcase. ALSO READ: Hefty jail sentence for KNP poacher 'This marks one of the largest vulture poisoning incidents in southern Africa, and the most extensive co-ordinated response effort and rescues to date. Over 20 individuals across conservation, veterinary and enforcement sectors played a role in the rescue and response. Without the rapid detection by the EWT's wildlife poisoning detection and surveillance system, and the unprecedented co-operation between NGOs, rangers, vets and SANParks aerial and ranger units, many more birds would have been lost.' 'Those that were found alive were immediately treated, using emergency vulture first aid – atropine, activated charcoal, and fluid therapy. Reinforcements were swiftly deployed. Support teams from the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Briner Veterinary Services and Wildscapes Veterinary Services mobilised within hours, while SANParks activated ranger and aerial support, including the Hope for Wildlife helicopter and additional logistics support, making this the first time SANParks helicopters were formally used in a wildlife poisoning rescue of this scale,' said Phaahla. A remarkable 96% survival rate was achieved among those found alive. Phaahla added that this horrific incident is part of a broader crisis unfolding across southern Africa – the escalating use of poisons in wildlife poaching. Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species, not just vultures, but also lions. The body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine or muthi. This incident is a setback to the vulture population in the Greater Kruger Landscape which is trying to recover from similar incidents in the past. ALSO READ: Suspected poachers fatally shot in Skukuza and Malelane In an effort to curb poisoning of vultures, SANParks is collaborating with various agencies and institutions to address the current increase in incidents. The latest operation highlights the importance of partnerships in addressing this problem. The recovery and treatment of the surviving vultures would not have been possible if such partnerships were not in place. We commend every individual who responded to this tragedy. Their courage, skill and relentless commitment transformed a potential extinction-level event into one of the most successful vulture rescues ever recorded. The operation saw helicopters making multiple trips between the incident site and Phalaborwa throughout the day to assist in transporting the vultures,' concluded Phaahla. • 84 vultures, including the white-backed, Cape and hooded vultures, were rescued. • 45 were transported by the EWT's vulture ambulance, a specialised mobile unit designed to stabilise poisoned birds en route to treatment facilities. • 39 more were airlifted by helicopter to the SANParks K9 facility in Phalaborwa for immediate monitoring. • A final group was transported later that night to Moholoholo for continued intensive care. • Teams, including vets from Wildscapes and Briner Veterinary Services, as well as the Moholoholo team, worked throughout the night to stabilise each bird and keep them alive. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Health Department stands by NHI education budget despite calls for reallocation
In defence of spending on NHI advertising, Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said it is as important as possible in terms of how the Department of Health assisted South Africans to get a fair amount of information. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The South African Health Department is standing firm in its commitment to promoting the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, even as voices arise, urging a reallocation of funds to address other pressing health needs. Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla has emphasised that the government's strategy surrounding NHI education is not simply a binary choice of either funding allocation or prioritisation of other health initiatives. During a budget presentation to the Health Portfolio Committee, Phaahla outlined that the current opposition to NHI is multifaceted, involving not merely legal challenges but also a broader effort to win the hearts and minds of South Africans. 'The pushback on NHI implementation is not only in courts, but is a battle of the hearts and minds of South Africans. It is important as much as possible in terms of how we assist South Africans to get a fair amount of information. It is neither this nor that,' Phaahla said. He made the statement when the department presented its budget during the meeting of the Health Portfolio Committee on Thursday. The NHI took centre stage during the meeting, with DA MP Michele Clarke noting that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi still planned to spend another R10m on NHI advertising. Clarke was of the view the funding could be used toward the treatment of HIV in the wake of the recent withdrawal of US aid funding. In its presentation, the department said there were processes under way in preparation for the NHI Fund. This included the essential equipment list that was to be finalised. 'This is focusing on primary care level as well as accreditation level to be used to accredit service providers that are to participate in NHI,' the department's head of planning unit, Koketso Sebanyoni, said. Sebanyoni also said that as part of NHI preparations, they would track the number of patients actively receiving medication. 'We hope this number can increase to 3.5 million in this financial year.' She added that work was being done on developing the integrated electronic health record system. 'We envisage we will finalise the second phase on the primary care package,' Sebanyoni said. The department said out of its R64.6 billion budget, NHI will be allocated R1.4bn. There was R2.4 billion allocated in the NHI indirect grant for health facilities revitalisation and R7.2bn for the NHI conditional grant. There was also R466m allocation for the contracting of additional health professionals. MPs wanted an update on the appointment of the NHI board and the funding mechanism for the NHI and overburdening of the country's health care system by illegal foreigners, among other things. The department was receiving comments from stakeholders on the regulations that were published in March on the proposed governance regulations of the NHI Fund.
Daily Maverick
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Two fires within a week at Tembisa Hospital are not linked
Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla has dismissed any links between the fire that gutted the Tembisa Hospital on Saturday and a blaze that caused additional damage on Wednesday. 'In terms of the fire which happened early today, we need to state clearly that this was not a continuation of the fire on Saturday,' Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla said at the Tembisa Hospital on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. Phaahla said the fires started in different areas of the hospital. Saturday's fire affected the emergency unit while Wednesday's was located in the outpatient section. 'What this says, then, from a lay person's observation, is that there is no direct linkage. So, whatever the forensics will find regarding what triggered the fire here, we are of the view that unless proven otherwise, what is apparent is that something else happened on the other side where the other fire started,' said Phaahla. 'The two areas are quite distinct,' he said. He said that the area had already been cordoned off after the first fire on Saturday, and the power supply had been switched off. Hospital officials said there was no CCTV footage of the areas affected by the fires and that patient records had been damaged. Phaahla said two cases had been opened for both fires, and appealed for patience from locals as the hospital underwent repairs to restore services. 'Serious damage has happened where we have lost valuable equipment, but not a single person was injured during that period,' Phaahla said. Despite Phaahla's comments, DA Gauteng shadow MEC for health Jack Bloom called for an investigation into possible arson. 'Surely, these incidents are suspicious. We need to know whether the security services are doing their job in preventing incidents like this. 'Are there tenderpreneurs who want to get the contracts for rebuilding the burnt sections? This cannot be ruled out as we even have criminal syndicates who sabotage the water supply so they can benefit by providing water tankers,' said Bloom on Wednesday. 'Any foul play at Tembisa Hospital needs to be speedily identified and the culprits apprehended before further fires occur.' Government whistle-blower Babita Deokaran was investigating an alleged R1-billion in corrupt tenders related to Tembisa Hospital when she was assassinated in 2022. The murder case is currently in court. In 2021, the Health Ombudsman found that patient Shonisani Lethole had died as a result of gross negligence at the hospital. Services interrupted Phaahla said that while the fire on Saturday had been extinguished, smoke was still affecting the pharmacy. He said the new fire had also been contained, but its smoke had spread to the clinic. He estimated that the forensics team, which had taken over the site, might be busy for two weeks before they could hand the site back to the health department. He said that thereafter, the provincial health department could get building experts to assess structural integrity and other damage in preparation for repairs. Phaahla said ambulances were being diverted from Tembisa Hospital to nearby hospitals such as Tambo Memorial Hospital and Edenvale Hospital following the fires. He said in terms of non-emergency patients, a call had been made that those who can use other hospitals should do so, and that visiting hours were still in effect for patients still in the hospital. Eighty-one patients were evacuated in the blaze on Saturday. He said the hospital management and the Gauteng government had ensured that services continued at the hospital, including access to medication. He said his department was working with the Department of Labour in terms of the occupational safety measures to ensure that staff were safe and there was access to medication from the pharmacy. Compliance The fires occurred after the hospital claimed during an Occupational Health and Safety audit presentation in March 2025 that it had improved from 72% to 79% compliance. 'But, overall, the compliance is poor,' the DA's Bloom said. 'There has been long neglect of infrastructure; this is why the risk is elevated,' Bloom said. Bloom said that according to the Gauteng Department of Health's figures, none of its 37 public hospitals were fully compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, with a particular weakness in fire safety measures. More than half a dozen Gauteng hospitals have been affected by fires in recent years, including Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Steve Biko Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital and Carletonville Hospital. The Public Service Association (PSA) has repeatedly raised concerns over the state of Tembisa Hospital. In a statement on Tuesday, the union's Stefan Viljoen said it warned 'that the facility was on the brink of total collapse' and the fire was 'a direct consequence of the hospital management's failure to act on repeated warnings'. 'In December 2024, inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour issued an infringement notice to the hospital, citing numerous occupational health and safety violations. Management was given until the end of February 2025 to rectify the identified hazards. To date, little has been done. 'The PSA previously highlighted alarming conditions, including cracked walls, broken taps and exposed live electrical wiring. Most concerning were the fire hazards identified in high-risk areas such as the casualty department. Earlier this year, an employee was injured after a ceiling collapsed in one of the wards, another clear indication of the urgent need for intervention.' Accountability According to Phaahla, there are ongoing investigations to establish the cause of both fires. He said the department would rely on the work of forensic experts to establish the cause of the blaze. But Bloom said there had been a complete lack of accountability for previous fires in Gauteng's hospitals. 'There has been no accountability for other fires, including the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital four years ago. My view is that the CEO should have been fired, and they haven't caught [the] suspected arsonists,' said Bloom. Phaahla said, 'We have to say most of our facilities are not fully compliant. The reason is that they are old. There is a catch-up. Incrementally, as resources become available, we will make each compliant. Many of our facilities are not compliant.'
