Category: Uncategorised

OHSC Calls for Urgent Action to Address Reported Water Quality Crisis in Bronkhorstspruit.

Posted on | by Nyeleti Mukoki

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) is calling for immediate action regarding the reports of
water contamination in Bronkhorstspruit, where more than 833 residents have reportedly experienced acute
gastrointestinal illnesses. This situation requires an urgent response from the Gauteng Department of Health,
the City of Tshwane, and local health facilities to safeguard public health.

As the independent regulatory body responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with health standards
in health establishments, the OHSC emphasises the need to ensure compliance with the prescribed Norms
and Standards Regulations. Concerns regarding the safety and availability of water pose a risk not only to
individual health but also to the broader healthcare infrastructure, particularly impacting vulnerable
populations, including young children and the elderly.

Key Directives from the OHSC:
1. Mandatory Comprehensive Water Safety Audits: The OHSC will continue to monitor developments within
Region 7, including at Bronkhorstspruit District Hospital, and will maintain regulatory oversight over any actual
or potential breaches of the prescribed Norms and Standards Regulations. Where warranted, the OHSC may
conduct inspections and other regulatory interventions to assess compliance and safeguard the quality and
safety of healthcare services.

2. Enhanced Monitoring of Water Tanker Operations: Water tankers providing supplementary supply from the
Cullinan Water Treatment Works must be subjected to quality assessments by qualified Environmental Health
Practitioners before distribution. This ensures that only safe and compliant water is delivered to residents and
healthcare facilities.

3. Adherence to Clinical Protocols: Health establishments should ensure that appropriate clinical protocols are
in place for the timely assessment and management of patients. Adequate staffing, sufficient emergency
medical supplies and access to emergency services are essential to providing appropriate care for affected
patients.

“Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and a critical component of effective healthcare.
The OHSC calls for complete accountability and transparency at all levels from the City of Tshwane and the
relevant water service authorities to resolve the crises and safeguard the health and safety of patients and
healthcare workers. We will monitor compliance to ensure the protection of our communities,” stated Dr
Siphiwe Mndaweni, Chief Executive Officer of OHSC.

Media Enquiries
Ricardo Mahlakanya |Email: rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za |Mobile: +27 66 473 8666

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Quarterly Bulletin

Posted on | by Mpho Dikgale

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) is the regulator mandated to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services and healthcare personnel. As part of ensuring the delivery of its mandate, the OHSC is actively working on finalising the outstanding inspection tools for various categories of health establishments. The OHSC conducts regular guidance and support workshops for healthcare personnel on the implementation of norms and standards regulations applicable to different categories of health establishments.

The guidance and support workshops are facilitated by the sub-programme: Health Standards Development and Training which is within Programme 4: Health Standards Design, Analysis and Support (HSDAS) of the OHSC. The workshops are conducted with the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the implementation of the norms and standards regulations have a common
understanding and interpretation of the requirements, the intended benefits of compliance and common application to improve the quality of the health system and its outcomes. The norms and standards regulations applicable to different categories of health establishments were promulgated in 2018 and came into operation in 2019. The prescribed norms and standards contains seven (7) chapters which has twenty-two (22) regulations.

951 Views

Quarterly Bulletin

Posted on | by Mpho Dikgale

The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) is the regulator mandated to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services and healthcare personnel. As part of ensuring the delivery of its mandate, the OHSC is actively working on finalising the outstanding inspection tools for various categories of health establishments. The OHSC conducts regular guidance and support workshops for healthcare personnel on the implementation of norms and standards regulations applicable to different categories of health establishments.

The guidance and support workshops are facilitated by the sub-programme: Health Standards Development and Training which is within Programme 4: Health Standards Design, Analysis and Support (HSDAS) of the OHSC. The workshops are conducted with the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the implementation of the norms and standards regulations have a common
understanding and interpretation of the requirements, the intended benefits of compliance and common application to improve the quality of the health system and its outcomes. The norms and standards regulations applicable to different categories of health establishments were promulgated in 2018 and came into operation in 2019. The prescribed norms and standards contains seven (7) chapters which has twenty-two (22) regulations.

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Year-end message from the Office of Health Standards Compliance

Posted on | by Mpho Dikgale

As we bid farewell to 2023, the Office of the Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) would like to thank all stakeholders for their contribution to our shared common goal of ensuring quality and safe healthcare services to users of health services in the country.
Being a regulator of healthcare services, the OHSC continued to monitor health establishments’ compliance with the required minimum quality standards of care. As the country moves closer to the realisation of National Health Insurance, the OHSC appreciates the continued efforts from the broader health sector to improve the quality level of care in the country. The role of the OHSC in the NHI is the certification of compliant health establishments. It is imperative to note that the OHSC has a responsibility to protect beneficiaries of health services and to achieve this function relies on the collective effort from all role players in the health sectors to ensure improvement in the quality of healthcare and safety in South Africa.

The OHSC wishes to thank all health establishments that submitted their annual facility profiles and reported on indicators of risk as part of the early warning system (EWS) to assist the OHSC in monitoring breaches of norms and standards regulations and ascertain response by health establishments timeously.

Looking into the new year, through your support and collaboration, the OHSC will continue in its efforts to ensure quality and safe healthcare services by continuing to involve stakeholders in the development and implementation of inspection tools for various levels of care. The OHSC will endeavour to release broad recommendations on quality assurance for the entire health sector.
As 2023 draws closer, I wish you a joyful festive season and look forward to continuing this journey together.

Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni
Chief Executive Officer
Office of Health Standards Compliance

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