Category: Media Releases

OHSC response to the article by the Business Day

Posted on | by Mpho

6 June 2018

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) wishes to distance itself from the misleading heading that appeared in the Business Day on the 6th of June 2018, related to the report delivered by the OHSC in Parliament on the 5th of June with the heading, public healthcare in shambles.

The OHSC presented a report that showed some improvement in certain areas; stagnation and decline in other areas. The report cannot be characterised as an indication that the healthcare system is “in shambles”.

The OHSC has further noted that the 80% scoring is regarded as a pass mark for heath establishments; and the Office will engage with the media to explain the scoring system used in the report.

Issued by the Office of Health Standards Compliance

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

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Health Ombud on record on his appearance on the Tim Modise Network

Posted on | by Mpho

7 June 2018

I would like to put on record that there has been an unfortunate and distorted misrepresentation of my assessment as the Health Ombud of the state of the Health System by certain sectors of the media following my appearance on the Tim Modise Network. This had the effect to decontextualise and disassociate my assessment and my recommendation.

My clear intention and recommendation recorded on the Tim Modise Network was for the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to consider leading and convening a multi representative group to explore new ways for the renewal of the Health System. Unfortunately, this has been totally ignored and lost by most in the media, I hope these can be reflected in the current debate as they are on the record.

As stated in my Life Esidimeni Report: Our legislative framework requires urgent amendments as it gives concurrent powers to provinces and municipalities but when all fails, only a Minister who has limited powers is held alone to account.

Minister Motsoaledi has worked tirelessly to successfully implement the recommendations of the National Development Plan and in driving the further transformation of the Health System through the National Health Insurance.

Issued by the Health Ombud, Prof MW Makgoba

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

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Health Ombud confirms the total number of mental healthcare users qualify for the alternative dispute resolution

Posted on | by Mpho

The Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba would like to confirm a total number of 140 Mental Health Care Users, verified and qualify for inclusion into the alternative dispute resolution process as per recommendation 17 of the Ombud Report which states that:

The National Minister of Health must lead and facilitate a process jointly with the Premier of the Province to contact all affected individuals and families and enter an Alternative Dispute Resolution process. This recommendation is based on the low trust, anger, frustration, loss of confidence in the current leadership of the Gauteng Department of Health by many stakeholders.

The National Department of Health must respond humanely and in the best interest of affected individuals, families, relatives, and the nation. The process must incorporate and respect the diverse cultures and traditions of those concerned. The response must include an unconditional apology to families and relatives of deceased and live patients who were subjected to this avoidable trauma; and as a result of the emotional and psychological trauma the relatives have endured, psychological counselling and support must be provided immediately. The outcome of such process should determine the way forward such as mechanisms of redress and compensation. A credible prominent South African with an established track record should lead such a process.

The Health Ombud agrees with the total number of 144 mental healthcare users recently provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS) who died during the “Gauteng Marathon Project”; however, the Health Ombud wishes to clarify that out of the total of 144 provided by the SAPS, four mental healthcare users do not qualify for inclusion in the alternative dispute resolution process.

Issued by the Health Ombud

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

217 Views

Health Ombud welcomes the dismissal of Dr Selebano’s appeal by the independent ad hoc Tribunal

Posted on | by Mpho

14 November 2017

The Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba welcomes the dismissal of Dr Barney Selebano’s appeal by the independent ad hoc Tribunal headed by the retired Judge President of the Gauteng High Court, Bernard Ngoepe.

Dr Selebano had appealed against the findings and recommendations of the Health Ombud report into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mentally-ill patients: Gauteng Province, which was released on the 1st February 2017.

Issued by the Health Ombud

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

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Appointment of the new OHSC CEO

Posted on | by Mpho

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) wishes to announce the appointment of Dr. Siphiwe Mndaweni as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as of October 2017.

Dr. Mndaweni’s career and leadership journey is imbued and manifest itself in several entities she worked for.

Her previous roles and positions include amongst others, Deputy Director-General: District Health Services, KwaZulu-Natal, Department of Health, Chief Director: Strategic Health Programmes, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health; Chief of Party, URC USAID TB Programme and Deputy Chief of Party of the Right to Care EQUIP Programme.

Dr. Mndaweni’s professional accomplishments include amongst others, notable management of the overall implementation of the HIV, TB, Child and Maternal Health Programmes in KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health.  She also brings over a wealth of experience from public health policy and program implementation from several African countries she supported.

She holds a BA Degree in Biology from Knox College, Illinois, USA; Master’s in medical science microbiology from Medunsa; MBCHB from Medunsa; Management Development Couse for Healthcare Professionals from both Wits Business School and Duke University; Post Graduate Diploma in Health Systems Management and Executive Leadership from University of Pretoria.

Dr. Mndaweni’s commendable knowledge in public healthcare will contribute towards the OHSC accomplishing its mandate in ensuring quality and safety in both public and private healthcare establishments in South Africa.

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

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Health Ombud welcomes the dismissal of Dr Manamela’s appeal by the independent ad hoc tribunal

Posted on | by Mpho

2 November 2017

The Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba welcomes the dismissal of Dr Makgabo Johanna Manamela’s appeal by the independent ad hoc Tribunal headed by the retired Judge President of the Gauteng High Court, Bernard Ngoepe.

Dr Manamela had appealed against the findings and recommendations of the Health Ombud report into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mentally-ill patients: Gauteng Province, which was released on the 1st February 2017.

Issued by the Health Ombud

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

129 Views

Media Statement by Mr. Jack Bloom of the Democratic Alliance in relation to the Life Esidimeni deaths of mentally-ill patients in Gauteng Province

Posted on | by Mpho

The Health Ombud, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba would like to note and aknowledge receipt of the media statement released by Mr. Jack Bloom, Shadow MPL (Health) from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in relation to the deaths of Life Esidimeni mentally ill patients in Gauteng Province.

The Health Ombud together with the National Department of Health, Office of Premier of Gauteng and the Gauteng Department of Health are in the process of finalizing the death figures relating to the Life Esidimeni mentally-ill patients in Gauteng and once finalized this figure will be released publicly in due course.  The process is so advanced that the outcome will be released soon.

The Health Ombud would like to highlight that he does not know how the SAPS arrived at the information provided to Community Safet MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane in response to Mr. Jack Bloom’s question in the Gauteng Legislature.

Issued by Prof MW Makgoba

Health Ombud

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

70 Views

New OHSC Board Appointments

Posted on | by Mpho

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has recently appointed Ms Sheila Barsel and Ms Keitumetse Mahlangu as additional new board members of the OHSC. The additional appointments bring the total number of board members to nine. The inauguration date for the new board members to be announced in due course.

Issued by the Office of Health Standards Compliance

For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

108 Views

Progress on the implementation of the report into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of mentally ill patients, Gauteng

Posted on | by Mpho

Circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mentally-ill patients

The Health Ombud, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba has noted with great concern the recent media reports titled: “Doctors warn SA Mental healthcare collapsing after Esidimeni” by the News24 and other media.

These statements/reports are not only premature but also have the potential to create an impression that nothing has been done since the release of the Ombud’s Report into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Mentally-ill Patients in Gauteng Province. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Prof Makgoba would like to point out that a lot has been done by the National Minister of Health, the Premier of Gauteng and the Gauteng MEC of Health since the release of the above-mentioned report.

All the 18 Recommendations have been accepted and implemented within the law, and with much progress to be proud of.

I am happy that all mentally-ill patients have now been moved by 31 May 2017 from unlicensed NGOs to licensed facilities with qualified professional staff to render the necessary care and services for these vulnerable patients.

Since the release of the Report, the Office of the Ombud has received a total of 9 briefings on progress relating to the recommendations from the offices of Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, the National Minister of Health. Mr. David Makhura, the Premier of Gauteng and Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, the MEC of Health in Gauteng.

Over the past 3 years (2014, 2015, 2016), a total of 41 mentally ill patients died in the month of June i.e. 13.6 patients died every June. Although the month of June ends tomorrow, not a single mentally ill patient has died during this month this year so far! While one swallow does not make rain, this “no death in June 2017″ may be an exceptional and important swallow to watch. You be the judge!

The three offices are in the process of finalizing a Report on the progress made so far in the implementation of the Recommendations of Report. One thing clear is that the Ombud has “stopped counting deaths”.

While the Life Esidimeni episode may have been “the lightening rod or tip of an iceberg”, common sense and experience tell us, no iceberg melts like a lightning strike.

Issued by the Office of Health Ombud

For more information, please contact: Mr. Ricardo Mahlakanya: Director: Communications and Stakeholder Relations; Tel: 012 339 8631; Email: rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

78 Views

The OHSC embarks on roadshow campaigns in KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape provinces

Posted on | by Mpho

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) is currently embarking on a national road show campaigns from 13 – 17 March 2017 by visiting the various areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape provinces. The aim of the campaign is to promote the Complaints Management Call Centre as well as other services offered by the Office. The OHSC is an independent body established by the National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003) to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services and regulate health establishments, as defined in the Act). Please see details for the roadshow campaigns below:

 

 

OHSC embarks on roadshow campaignsOHSC embarks on roadshow campaignsOHSC embarks on roadshow campaigns

Issued by the Office of Health Standards Compliance

For more information, please contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Director: Communications & Stakeholder Relations; Tel. 012 339 8631; or Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za

57 Views