South Africa’s healthcare worker shortages are arguably the country’s biggest healthcare story, yet government leaders have failed to tackle them, according to an editorial. It accompanies an investigation by journalist Sue Segar into unemployed doctors who protested for jobs in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year. Unemployed doctors amid staff shortages According to the editorial, many of the protesting doctors are committed…
Tag: Public Health Sector
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Medical Negligence Claims: Structured Settlements Proposed
The South African Law Reform Commission has recommended scrapping lump-sum payouts for medical negligence claims against the state. Instead, it proposes structured “pay as you go” settlements for public sector patients. In a long-awaited report, the commission put forward two bills. These would let patients and families seek redress through the courts or through a new administrative system run by…
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NHLS Debt Crisis Threatens Public Health Laboratory Services
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is facing an unprecedented financial emergency. Parliament has demanded immediate accountability from provincial health departments for debts of over R11 billion. This huge financial burden threatens the stability of South Africa’s public medical testing network. Understanding The NHLS Debt Crisis Impact The NHLS operates approximately 233 diagnostic laboratories across South Africa. These facilities provide…