Author: Mpho Dikgale

For Immediate Release

To All Editors and Health Journalists

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) joins South Africa and the international health community in commemorating World Patient Safety Day 2026 under the theme “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases” and the slogan “Safe care for life!”

The theme highlights the need to prevent avoidable harm in the care of people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Many people living with these conditions require ongoing care, making safety and quality important throughout their healthcare journey.

The OHSC is mandated to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services by ensuring compliance with regulated norms and standards. For the OHSC, the theme reinforces the importance of health establishments consistently meeting prescribed health norms and standards.
OHSC inspections provide a clear view of compliance with prescribed health norms and standards, highlighting areas where health establishments meet requirements and where gaps may affect patient safety. These include aspects of clinical governance and care, record-keeping and the protection of healthcare users’ rights.

While improvements in compliance are encouraging, these findings reinforce the need for strong systems and practices that support safe, quality care. This is particularly important for people living with noncommunicable diseases, who may require care over an extended period and depend on consistent standards throughout their healthcare journey.

Through inspections, certification, enforcement and other regulatory functions, the OHSC monitors compliance and takes appropriate action where standards are not met, helping health establishments address identified gaps and strengthen the protection of healthcare users.

Safe care for life means that healthcare users can expect prescribed health norms and standards to be upheld throughout their care. As the health regulator, the OHSC will continue to monitor compliance, identify areas requiring attention and take appropriate regulatory action to protect the health and safety of users and promote safer, quality healthcare.

Ends.
Issued by the Office of Health Standards Compliance.
Media Enquiries
Ricardo Mahlakanya | Email: rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za | Cell: 066 473 866

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) has noted with serious concern reports of individuals fraudulently impersonating OHSC inspectors and soliciting money from unsuspecting healthcare practitioners.

The warning follows information received by the OHSC about an individual who falsely claimed that an inspection had been scheduled at a healthcare practice. It is alleged that the impersonator asserted that payment would resolve any non-compliance findings. This is contrary to the OHSC ethical standards and core values because real inspectors will not accept cash, gifts, or any form of personal payment from facilities, staff, or members of the public in exchange for inspection results or regulatory outcomes.

The OHSC confirmed that no authorised inspection had been scheduled and that the individual was not acting on behalf of the organisation.

The OHSC is the national health regulator responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with health standards to promote safe and quality healthcare services. Its work includes inspecting health establishments, certifying compliant facilities and investigating complaints about the quality of healthcare services.

Healthcare establishments and practitioners nationwide are urged to remain vigilant of bogus or suspicious inspectors and verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the OHSC. Authorised inspectors carry a valid OHSC identification card or official documentation signed by the Chief Executive Officer.

Lawful and authorised inspection outcomes cannot be influenced by payment or any personal benefit. Any suspicious and unethical conduct, including impersonation, fraud, bribery or corruption by the inspectors, should be immediately reported to the OHSC Fraud and Ethics Hotline on 0800 003 231 or by email at office@thehotline.co.za.

The OHSC remains committed to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of healthcare regulation and appreciates the continued cooperation of healthcare practitioners, facilities and the public in combating fraud.

Media Enquiries
Ricardo Mahlakanya | Email: rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za | Cell: 066 473 8666

MEDIA STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
12 May 2026

To All Editors and Health Journalists

OHSC HONOURS NURSES DRIVING QUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN HEALTHCARE

Pretoria. In commemoration of International Nurses Day 2026, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) joins the global health community to recognise the vital role nurses play in strengthening the health system, under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”

Nurses remain the cornerstone of the healthcare system, providing compassionate care while championing patient safety and dignity. Their daily commitment directly supports compliance with quality health standards and contributes to improving patient outcomes.

The OHSC, as the country’s health regulator responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with quality norms and standards, recognises that empowering nurses and improving their working conditions are essential to achieving sustainable quality in healthcare delivery. A well-supported nursing workforce is better positioned to uphold the standards, ethics, and accountability that ensure every patient receives safe, dignified, quality care. Through its inspections and engagements with health facilities, the OHSC observes the vital contribution nurses make to ensure compliance with required standards and support the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Within the OHSC, nurses are central to the entity’s standards development, inspections and investigations functions. Through regulatory functions, OHSC nurses play a significant role in identifying systemic challenges, holding facilities accountable, and ultimately safeguarding the public and reinforcing trust in the health system. The OHSC acknowledges the challenges faced by nurses, which affect health facilities’ ability to meet required standards consistently. Addressing these challenges is critical in strengthening the health system’s performance.

The OHSC remains committed to promoting compliance with the regulated norms and standards and supporting a safe, conducive working environment. Engaging healthcare workers, particularly nurses, as key stakeholders in quality improvement is essential in strengthening accountability mechanisms that protect both healthcare users and healthcare providers.

Recognising and empowering our nurses is not only a tribute to their dedication but also a strategic imperative towards achieving quality healthcare for all.

End.

Issued by the Office of Health Standards Compliance.

Media Enquiries: Ricardo Mahlakanya | Spokesperson and Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations | Cell: 066 473 8666