Category: News

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE OFFICE OF HEALTH STANDARDS COMPLIANCE

Posted on | by Boitshoko Lebudi

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) was established in terms of the National Health Act, 2003 (Act
No. 61 of 2003) (“the Act”) as amended. The OHSC is a Schedule 3A public entity reporting to the Ministry of Health
and is mandated to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services by monitoring and
enforcing compliance by health establishments with norms and standards prescribed by the Minister in relation to
the national health system, and ensuring consideration, investigation and disposal of complaints relating to non compliance with prescribed norms and standards in a procedurally fair, economical and expeditious manner.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr PA Motsoaledi, invites the public to submit nominations of candidates to be
considered for appointment to the Board of the OHSC for a period of three (3) years, effective from 12 February
2026 to 11 February 2029, as follows:

(a) One (1) member appointed on account of his or her knowledge of the law;
(b) One (1) member appointed on account of his or her knowledge of economics and financial matters or
accounting;
(c) One (1) member appointed on account of his or her knowledge of the private healthcare sector;
(d) One (1) member appointed on account of his or her knowledge of public healthcare and public administration;
(e) One (1) member appointed on account of his or her knowledge of quality assurance;
(f) One (1) representative from organised labour; and
(g) One (1) representative from civil society or the community.

Remuneration: Successful candidates will be remunerated under Category A, sub-category A2 as determined in
terms of the National Treasury’s circular on Service Benefits Packages for Office-Bearers of statutory and other
institutions. Employees of National, Provincial and Local Government, government agencies or entities, appointed
as members on the OHSC Board, are not entitled to additional remuneration, and will not be remunerated for their
service as members of the Board.

Requirements of a valid nomination: Nominations must be made on a nomination form obtainable from the
Department of Health’s website at www.health.gov.za under VACANCIES or from the OHSC website at
www.ohsc.org.za. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the nominee should be attached, including certified
copies of academic qualifications and supporting information.

Submission of nominations: Nominations should be addressed to the Director-General, Department of Health,
and marked for the attention of the Director: Public Entities Governance and submitted via email to
nominations@health.gov.za by no later than 16h00 on Friday, 07 NOVEMBER 2025.
Enquiries can be directed to Mr P Tsebe at tel. 012 395 9653.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE OFFICE OF HEALTH

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The Office of Health Standards Compliance Celebrates World Patient Safety Day 2025

Posted on | by Mpho Dikgale

Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) joins the global community today in commemorating World Patient Safety Day 2025, under the theme “Safe care for every newborn and every child”. This year’s focus serves as a reminder to all stakeholders that ensuring the safety of our youngest patients is a fundamental right and a shared responsibility across the health system.
Newborns and children, just as adults, should receive healthcare that is safe, of high quality, and free from preventable harm. Unfortunately, unsafe healthcare worldwide and locally continues to cause illness, disability, and even death of children.
As the regulatory authority responsible for protecting healthcare service users by ensuring compliance with norms and standards regulations, the OHSC is committed to ensuring that healthcare providers maintain the highest levels of healthcare services and accountability. The OHSC continues to uphold its commitment to oversee compliance with quality standards by conducting inspections. Additionally, the OHSC provides ongoing support to healthcare providers in health establishments through guidance and support workshops.
The OHSC promotes a culture of openness, learning, and accountability to prevent avoidable harm through interactions with stakeholders in the sector. Furthermore, the OHSC engages with communities to raise awareness of patient safety rights and responsibilities during community engagement initiatives.
Children are our future; providing safe care for newborns and children is not optional but a legal, ethical, and moral obligation. The OHSC will continue to work with healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public to ensure that every child in South Africa has access to healthcare that is safe.
On this World Patient Safety Day, the Office of Health Standards Compliance calls on all stakeholders to prioritise the safety of our youngest citizens. Together, we can transform healthcare services and health establishments into safe spaces for every child, every time.

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Media Statement_Inaugural Health Ombudsman Conference 2025 Highlights Health and Healthcare as a Human Right

Posted on | by Boitshoko Lebudi

For Immediate Release

10 September 2025

To All Editors and Health Journalists

INAUGURAL HEALTH OMBUDSMAN CONFERENCE 2025 HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE AS A HUMAN RIGHT

Pretoria.

The Health Ombud is set to convene its first-ever conference to be held on 11 and 12
September 2025 at the Emperors Palace Conference Centre in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. This
conference coincides with the commemoration of World Patient Safety Day, which closely aligns
with the Health Ombud’s mandate to safeguard the quality and safety of healthcare services for
all users.

The upcoming biennial conference will bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers,
regulators, academics, and members of civil society under the theme “Health and Healthcare as
a Human Right.” The event promises to deliver a high-quality and impactful event, featuring
discussions that will focus on healthcare as a constitutional right. Participants will share insights on
strengthening oversight to create a health system that is accessible, fair, and accountable.

The two-day programme will include a keynote address by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron
Motsoaledi (MP). It will feature in-depth open dialogue sessions and presentations that focus on
various factors affecting access to safe and quality healthcare services. Additionally, discussions
will cover the contribution of the private healthcare industry and funders towards achieving
universal access to healthcare in South Africa.

Speaking ahead of the conference, the Health Ombud, Emeritus Professor Taole Mokoena,
emphasised, “This conference serves as a vital platform to reflect on our progress, challenges, and
opportunities in ensuring that healthcare is recognised not as a privilege, but as a fundamental
human right. Our goal is to foster collective commitment to a patient-centred health system that
upholds dignity, fairness, and justice.”

The inaugural conference reaffirms the Health Ombud’s mandate to safeguard the public’s right
to health, promote a safe and ethical healthcare service, and drive continuous improvement in
the quality of care across the healthcare system.

Media are invited to cover the event. For accreditation, please email Ntombizodwa Kobuwe
nkobuwe@ohsc.org.za or visit the Health Ombud or OHSC websites on www.healthombud.org.za
or www.ohsc.org.za for more information.

Ends.

Issued by the Health Ombud.

Media Enquiries:
Ricardo Mahlakanya – Cell: 066 473 8666

Approved_Media Statement_Inaugural Health Ombud Conference 2025

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Media Statement_OHSC Board Expresses Concerns Over Patient Safety Following Fire Outbreak At Tembisa Regional Hospital

Posted on | by Boitshoko Lebudi

OHSC BOARD EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER PATIENT SAFETY FOLLOWING FIRE OUTBREAK AT TEMBISA PROVINCIAL TERTIARY HOSPITAL

As a health services regulator, tasked with monitoring and protecting the health and safety of healthcare services users, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) Board and management have noted with great concern reports of repeated incidents of fire outbreaks at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, which could place patient and staff safety at risk.

These incidents have raised significant alarms about safety protocols and emergency preparedness, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of the facility to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, staff and other occupants of the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital premises.

All health establishments must prioritise the safety and security of patients, especially during emergencies. Health establishments must ensure that the systems comply with health regulations and foster a safe environment for everyone in their care.

The OHSC will be dispatching a team of inspectors to conduct a Risk- Based Inspection as a fact-finding action to establish circumstances surrounding the two fire incidences, the hospital management’s immediate response and actions taken and the effectiveness of existing safety measures in preventing recurrence thereof. Risk-based inspections are specifically triggered and conducted on an ad hoc basis in response to identified risks at heath facilities.

Considering that the winter season is already on, this inspection will enable the OHSC to establish possible root causes, and to make informed recommendations that are aimed at mitigating the risk of fire incidences at health facilities.

The OHSC urges all healthcare facilities and providers to regularly review their safety protocols and emergency response plans to avoid similar occurrences and ensure that the integrity of the healthcare system and the protection of the users of health services are maintained.

End.

Media Enquiries:
Ricardo Mahlakanya
Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations and Spokesperson
066 473 8666 / rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

Download statement here: MEDIA STATEMENT_OHSC BOARD EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER PATIENT SAFETY FOLLOWING FIRE OUTBREAK AT TEMBISA REGIONAL HOSPITAL

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Release of the OHSC Risk-Based Inspection Findings and Health Ombud Investigation Report Findings into Allegations Against Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital

Posted on | by Boitshoko Lebudi

MEDIA ADVISORY
7 March 2025
RELEASE OF THE OHSC RISK-BASED INSPECTION FINDINGS AND HEALTH OMBUD INVESTIGATION REPORT FINDINGS INTO ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HELEN JOSEPH TERTIARY HOSPITAL
The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) and Health Ombud will host a media briefing to jointly release the findings of the risk-based inspection and investigation into the allegations against the Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital. This follows allegations made by Mr Thomas Holmes, also known as Tom London. He posted a video recording on several social media platforms, alleging that during his admission in September 2024, he experienced neglect and rude behaviour from the hospital staff, including doctors. Additionally, he reported that the hospital’s infrastructure was in disrepair.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Monday, 10 March 2025
Time: 12:30 – 14:00
Venue: Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, GCIS Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria
Journalists may also view and participate in the media briefing via live streaming using the links below.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/GovernmentZA OR https://www.facebook.com/ohscsocialmedia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovernmentZA OR https://twitter.com/ohscsocialmedia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/governmentZA
Enquiries
Ricardo Mahlakanya 066 473 8666 / RMahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

Media Advisory_Release of OHSC and Ombud Findings Against Helen Joseph Hospital 7 March 2025

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