Latest news with #GDoH
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Water interruptions affect major Gauteng hospitals
Several Gauteng health facilities are impacted by Rand Water maintenance, but services continue with a backup supply The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has confirmed that several health facilities in the province are experiencing water supply interruptions following a public notice from Rand Water regarding planned infrastructure maintenance. Maintenance began on 30 June and is expected to continue until 21 July. It is said to affect the Eikenhof, Zwartkopjes and Palmiet pumping stations. Contingency plans in place In response, the department said it is working with municipalities to mitigate the impact on healthcare services. 'The department is working closely with the municipality to implement contingency measures to minimise the impact on health services,' said the GDoH in a statement. 'Most health facilities are equipped with water tanks, boreholes and reservoirs that can provide water for a duration of two to four days.' ALSO READ: Gauteng health urges parents to take children for immunisation Helen Joseph and Charlotte Maxeke hospitals affected Gauteng Health further highlighted that Helen Joseph Hospital is currently experiencing water supply interruptions, which are also affecting surrounding communities. 'Johannesburg Water tankers have been dispatched to pump water into the hospital tanks to ensure continuity of services,' the department stated. Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital is also affected by the Zwartkopjes water system outage. Pumping to the Parktown 2 Reservoir, which supplies the hospital, was halted for 50 hours from Monday morning. Despite this, the hospital continues to receive water through gravity feed from the reservoir, while tanks are being topped up as needed. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health's warning for parents Community clinics relying on Jojo tanks The Alexandra Community Health Centre and Hillbrow Community Health Centre are also experiencing supply issues and are currently dependent on Jojo tanks for their water needs. The GDoH said it remains on high alert and is monitoring the situation across all affected facilities. 'We will provide regular updates regarding any developments that may affect the provision of health services in any of our facilities,' it said. Residents are urged to conserve water where possible and remain patient as services are maintained during the ongoing maintenance period. NOW READ: 'Remedial work at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on track,' says Gauteng Health
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng Health's warning for parents
The department confirmed 16 hospital admissions in Tshwane The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has sounded the alarm over a growing measles outbreak and is calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated. On Sunday, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko urged the public to support ongoing vaccination campaigns in schools and communities as cases climb across the province. 'We must close the immunity gap in our communities and prevent further spread of the highly contagious diseases, particularly measles and rubella. 'Vaccination is simple, safe, and is our best protection against harmful diseases,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko. What area has the most cases? According to the GDoH, 191 laboratory-confirmed measles cases were recorded between 1 January and 19 June 2025. Tshwane is the most affected with 81 cases, followed by Johannesburg (80), Ekurhuleni (27), Sedibeng (2), and West Rand (1). Outbreak hotspots include Mamelodi and Winterveld in Tshwane, where targeted school vaccination campaigns have already reached more than 18 000 pupils across 31 schools. In Johannesburg, more than 3 500 people have been vaccinated in areas such as Diepsloot, Cosmo City, Hillbrow, Midrand, and Rosettenville. The department noted this is well below the level required to prevent outbreaks. 'Immunisation coverage for the second dose of the measles vaccine remains below 75% in both Johannesburg and Tshwane,' it warned. ALSO READ: Over 34 000 patients waiting for surgeries in Gauteng's public hospitals Province-wide campaign underway Furthermore, the GDoH has launched a four-week province-wide vaccination campaign. Interfacility immunisation has also begun, offering booster doses to all age groups, regardless of their vaccination history. In Ekurhuleni, the drive has reached children in Daveyton, Slovo Park, Tembisa, and Barcelona, where 560 children have been vaccinated so far. Though West Rand and Sedibeng have reported few cases, the department says both districts remain on high alert with intensified surveillance and readiness to respond quickly to new infections. ALSO READ: Gauteng hospitals get major tech overhaul to slash scan backlogs No deaths The department confirmed 16 hospital admissions due to measles in Tshwane, with all patients discharged. No reported deaths have occurred. Health facilities have been instructed to isolate positive cases and vaccinate close contacts immediately. Infected individuals are advised to isolate at home for at least seven days, while all suspected cases receive Vitamin A supplements to reduce complications. 'We encourage everyone to support our outreach teams and protect our children's health,' added Nkomo-Ralehoko. NOW READ: Gauteng health urges parents to take children for immunisation
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng Health sounds alarm over measles outbreak
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has intensified its public health response following a continued rise in measles cases across the province. • Also read: West Rand's emergency medical services (EMS) under pressure: One responder for every 900 residents Motalatale Modiba, head of communications at GDoH, stated that there have been 181 confirmed cases reported between January 1 and June 13, with numerous cases emerging from the Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni districts. 'This persistent outbreak follows previous clusters dating back to 2022, which led to a measles vaccination campaign in 2023. In the latest reporting period, Gauteng recorded 15 new measles cases, 10 of which were reported in Tshwane, two in Johannesburg, two in Ekurhuleni, and one in West Rand. The outbreak has revealed a concerning immunity gap in the province, specifically among children who are either not fully vaccinated or have never received the measles or rubella vaccine,' Modiba said. Modiba added that the immunisation coverage for the second dose of the measles vaccine remains below 75% in Johannesburg, significantly below the level required to prevent outbreaks. This has contributed to the steady increase in cases, including among people who had previously been vaccinated, and even some adults. 'In the Johannesburg district, the department implemented a targeted response by vaccinating contacts and conducting outbreak campaigns in areas including Diepsloot, Midrand, Cosmo City, Hillbrow, and Rosettenville. To date, more than 3,500 people have been vaccinated in the district, with further campaigns scheduled for busy community sites including the Diepsloot and Cosmo City taxi ranks. The West Rand and Sedibeng districts, while not currently experiencing outbreaks, remain on high alert. 'GDoH is working closely with districts to strengthen surveillance, ensure rapid response, and improve vaccination coverage. The department is expected to embark on a comprehensive four-week province-wide vaccination campaign as part of broader intervention activities,' Modiba said. The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has urged all parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated, encouraging them to work with health teams conducting school and community campaigns. 'We must close the immunity gap in our communities and prevent further spread of the highly contagious diseases, particularly measles and rubella. Vaccination is simple, safe, and is our best protection against harmful diseases. We encourage everyone to support our outreach teams and protect our children's health,' Nkomo-Ralehoko stated. The public is reminded that people who are infected with measles must isolate at home for at least seven days to prevent further transmission. 'All suspected cases are provided with Vitamin A supplements to reduce the risk of complications. The department remains committed to containing the spread of measles and rubella in the province and urges the public to remain vigilant, get vaccinated, and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and those around them,' Modiba concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng health warns of immunity gap in measles fight as cases rise
Gauteng Health has launched targeted school vaccination drives to curb rising measles cases, especially in hotspots like Mamelodi and Winterveld. With 181 confirmed measles cases, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is ramping up school and community vaccination, focusing on hotspot areas and boosting surveillance to contain the outbreak. The continued rise in measles cases across the province has revealed an immunity gap, particularly among children who are either not fully vaccinated or have never received the measles or rubella vaccine. 'We must close the immunity gap in our communities and prevent further spread of the highly contagious diseases, particularly measles and rubella,' said the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. 'We must close the immunity gap' – Health MEC 'Vaccination is simple and safe and is our best protection against harmful diseases. We encourage everyone to support our outreach teams and protect our children's health.' The department reported 181 laboratory-confirmed cases from 1 January to 13 June, with many cases originating from the Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni districts. ALSO READ: 'Immunity gap' drives rubella outbreak in South Africa According to GDoH spokesperson Motalatale Modiba, in the latest reporting period, Gauteng recorded 15 new cases, with 10 of these reported in Tshwane, two in Johannesburg, two in Ekurhuleni, and one in the West Rand. 'The outbreak remains active in specific hotspot areas, including Mamelodi and Winterveld in Tshwane, where 35 and 10 cases have been reported, respectively,' Modiba said. There have been 16 reported hospital admissions linked to measles in Tshwane, all of whom have since been discharged. 16 hospital admissions linked to measles in Tshwane In response, the department has intensified its targeted vaccination campaign in schools, vaccinating more than 18 000 pupils to date across 15 schools in both Mamelodi and Winterveld. Additionally, inter-facility immunisation has commenced, providing booster doses of measles-rubella to all age groups, regardless of their vaccination history. ALSO READ: Health officials warn of rising German measles cases in South Africa GDoH reported that immunisation coverage for the second dose of the measles vaccine remains below 75% in both Johannesburg and Tshwane — well below the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. This has contributed to the steady increase in cases, including among individuals who had previously been vaccinated and even among some adults. Modiba said the department launched a targeted response in the Johannesburg district, vaccinating close contacts and running outbreak campaigns in areas including Diepsloot, Midrand, Cosmo City, Hillbrow and Rosettenville. Targeted response by department against measles outbreak More than 3 500 people have received vaccinations in the district thus far, and additional campaigns are planned for busy community locations, such as Diepsloot and Cosmo City taxi ranks. In Ekurhuleni, teams conducted targeted campaigns in Daveyton, Slovo Park, Tembisa, and Barcelona, where they have already vaccinated 560 children. ALSO READ: Measles cases surging again in Europe: WHO The West Rand and Sedibeng districts, while not currently experiencing outbreaks, remain on high alert. 'GDoH is working closely with districts to strengthen surveillance, ensure rapid response, and improve vaccination coverage. The department is expected to embark on a comprehensive four-week province-wide vaccination campaign as part of broader intervention activities,' Modiba said. The MEC has called on all parents and guardians to ensure their children are immunised and to collaborate with health teams that run community and school campaigns. Call for parents to vaccinate children The department has instructed health facilities to isolate positive cases immediately and vaccinate their close contacts without delay. 'The public is reminded that individuals infected with measles must isolate at home for at least seven days to prevent further transmission. All suspected cases are provided with vitamin A supplements to reduce the risk of complications,' Modiba said. NOW READ: Measles cases rose 79 percent globally last year: WHO
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Cleaner Gauteng: Province joins Deputy President's national clean-up drive
Gauteng is expected to play a major role in the newly launched Clean Cities and Towns Campaign, a national initiative led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Unveiled on June 6, the campaign aims to tackle urban waste, promote environmental responsibility and inspire civic pride in public spaces across SA. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has pledged its strong support. MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko attended the launch alongside Mashatile, reinforcing the department's commitment to cleaner, safer environments that support better public health outcomes. ALSO READ:Ekurhuleni shuts down non-compliant spaza shops over health and safety Structured for a nationwide rollout, the campaign relies on collaboration with local municipalities, government departments and community organisations to achieve a unified effort in environmental upliftment. A key element of the drive is the Bontle ke Botho programme, which encourages municipalities, including Gauteng's, to compete in keeping their areas clean and well-maintained. The programme also seeks to foster local pride and a culture of shared responsibility for public spaces. Speaking at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Mashatile urged communities to take ownership of the initiative. 'We call upon all communities to come on board and do their part in ensuring cleaner spaces,' he said, stressing the importance of active citizen participation. The campaign aligns closely with existing GDoH efforts to promote clean, healthy communities. Last year, Nkomo-Ralehoko handed over a thriving vegetable garden in the N12 informal settlement in Benoni. It was developed on a former dumping site, fulfilling a promise she made in September 2023 to turn the area into a sustainable food source for residents. ALSO READ: Gauteng's 'I Serve with a Smile' campaign aims to restore trust in healthcare That project reflects the campaign's core goals: improving public well-being through practical, community-driven and sustainable action. 'There is a strong link between clean environments and public health,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko.'Such efforts play a vital role in preventing illness and promoting well-being.' The choice of Kliptown's Walter Sisulu Square, deeply tied to SA's history of unity and progress, was a symbolic nod to the campaign's vision of community-led transformation. The initiative also supports the District Development Model, which aims to improve service delivery through better co-ordination between national, provincial and local government. With strong leadership from Mashatile, support from provincial bodies such as the GDoH, and the involvement of local communities, the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign should make a lasting impact on how South Africans live, work and care for their environments. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
