Latest news with #GautengHealthDepartment
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Gauteng Health Department urges ex-mineworkers to register for compensation benefits
The Gauteng Health Department has called on former mineworkers to register for the Ex-Mine Security Benefits Programme in Ekurhuleni. Image: File Former mineworkers who retired from the industry due to occupational diseases, without receiving compensation, could soon be able to claim their long-awaited benefits. The Gauteng Department of Health has called on the former miners to register for Phase Two of the Ex-Mine Security Benefits Programme in Ekurhuleni. The registration process started today (July 21) and is expected to run until August 22. The families of deceased mineworkers may also be eligible to claim benefits. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The initiative, in partnership with the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD) and other stakeholders, aims to trace, register, and screen ex-mine workers with occupational diseases, ensuring that those who qualify can access their unclaimed benefits and medical surveillance. Many former mineworkers left the industry due to occupational lung diseases, such as silicosis and tuberculosis (TB), without receiving the compensation due to them. In April, Parliament was told that the government was struggling to trace almost 75,000 former miners who were owed R1.3 billion in compensation for lung diseases contracted at work. Presenting the Mines and Works Compensation Fund's 2025/26, Health Department Compensation Commissioner, Barry Kistnasamy, told the Portfolio Committee on Health that most of the miners were assessed more than two decades ago, during an era characterised by poor record keeping and extensive delays. Kistnasamy said that despite the legal requirement that clinical records be retained for 40 years, few records were available for older claims. The commissioner said a total of 66,000 claims approved before 2005 have yet to be paid because the Compensation Commission for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) does not know how to contact the beneficiaries, or even if they are still alive. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said Phase One of the project was successfully implemented in the West Rand district, where over 9,000 individuals were reached, with about 539 people completing the Benefit Medical Examination tests. 'It is crucial for ex-mining workers and their families to understand that addressing eligibility issues is essential to ensure that deserving individuals receive the benefits they are entitled to,' he said. Modiba said the former mineworkers and their families may reach out to the MBOD call centre to check if they have any unclaimed benefits. He said medical interventions and compensation benefits for occupational lung diseases and other occupation-related illnesses are covered in the security benefits. He added that there was potential compensation for mineworkers who did 'risk work' at one of the 82 qualifying gold mines between March 12, 1965, and December 10, 2019, and who contracted silicosis or work-related TB from their work. Modiba said there is also potential compensation for deceased former mineworkers, which their next of kin or dependents could claim on their behalf. The claims would be made from Tshiamiso Trust. 'South African Law allows for anyone who has done risk work on the mines and works to have his or her heart and lungs removed after death in order to identify potential compensable occupational lung diseases (OLD). This will only be done if the next of kin provides written consent. The organs are examined for the presence of OLD, which are caused by working in mines or working for extended periods of time. 'If the deceased was found to be suffering from a compensable OLD at the time of their death, their next of kin may potentially receive compensation. It is important to note that this information should be discussed with your family, and that not every case that is examined qualifies for compensation,' said Modiba. During the registration weeks, mineworkers, claimants and potential beneficiaries are invited to register with their latest contact and address information, and to also check eligibility for benefit medical examinations, unpaid occupational lung disease claims, and other known unpaid social security benefits. Modiba said the communities would be requested to bring documents such as Makhulu-skop (mineworker's identity card), identity or passport documents, and any documentation received from the mine.
eNCA
04-07-2025
- Health
- eNCA
Supply to Gauteng hospitals critical but stable
JOHANNESBURG - Water supply at several Gauteng hospitals and clinics impacted by Rand Water maintenance is critical but stable. Services continue with a backup supply from tanks, boreholes and reservoirs. The areas served by the Eikenhof, Zwartkopjes and Palmiet pumping stations are affected. The Gauteng Health Department says hospitals and clinics which are affected do have an alternative water supply. The department says it will continue to work closely with the municipality to ensure a consistent water supply at health facilities.
eNCA
01-07-2025
- Health
- eNCA
Call to blacklist companies implicated in Tembisa Hospital corruption
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Health Department is allegedly still buying from companies linked to the Tembisa hospital scandal. The DA says ANC heavyweight and tenderpreneur, Sello Sekhokho continues to get business. This is despite the SIU recommending otherwise. Shortly before her death in 2021, Whistleblower Babita Deokaran red-flagged contracts worth R850-million. There were over 200 suppliers to the hospital. Dr Aslam Dasoo from the Progressive Health Forum says stolen health public funds have immediate and deadly effects.
Eyewitness News
22-05-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng Health Dept welcomes cash injection to replace ageing hospital equipment
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Health Department has welcomed a cash injection to replace ageing hospital equipment, including the machines that power laundry services in public facilities. The national Department of Health (GDoH) has set aside R100 million for Gauteng's recapitalisation programme in 2025, with half of that earmarked specifically for laundry machinery. But questions remain about whether it's enough to rescue a system buckling under decades of neglect. From Bheki Mlangeni to Tembisa Hospital, where infrastructure failures routinely disrupt care, broken machines, maintenance delays, and outsourced emergency fixes have become normal. Bheki Mlangeni Hospital, for instance, is currently backlogged and forced to rely on Chris Hani Baragwanath and Dunswart laundries to keep basics like bed linen in circulation. The Gauteng Department of Health said assessments had already been done to identify what needs fixing, with refurbishments underway at hospital theatres in Carletonville and Bheki Mlangeni. 'We do acknowledge that while this intervention is happening, we also experience frequent breakdowns, this impacts on our operational efficiencies," said GDoH spokesperson Motalatale Modiba. For communities where basic equipment failures routinely compromise patient care, the funding offers hope but whether it's enough to rebuild trust in the public health system remains to be seen.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Patients allegedly turned away from Karenpark clinic due to doctor shortages
Councillor Rina Marx of the Freedom Front Plus claims patients at the Karenpark clinic in Pretoria North have been turned away from the facility because there is no doctor on duty. Image: Supplied Patients visiting the Karenpark clinic in Akasia, Pretoria North, have allegedly been turned away from the facility in the past few weeks due to there being no doctor on duty. Councillor Rina Marx of the Freedom Front Plus, who recently visited the clinic, said her party had warned the Gauteng Health Department weeks ago that the situation would occur after the department suddenly terminated doctors' contracts on March 31, 2025 Marx, who is former Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health in Tshwane, also pointed out that the clinic specialises in treating women and children and that all the affected doctors were part of the pilot programme of the National Health Insurance. 'The decision impacts thousands of patients who frequent the 24 clinics in the Tshwane Metro. Many patients rely on these clinics for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, sexually transmitted diseases, pre-natal care and chronic medication,' she said. According to her, the clinic's patients cannot afford private healthcare services, and are being denied essential healthcare. She said her party's MPL in the Gauteng Legislature, Advocate Anton Alberts, has already enquired about the matter from the MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. 'The party demands answers from the MEC and an explanation of how the Department will ensure that patients get the care they need,' she said. Marx expressed concern that if the situation is not addressed soon it could turn into a health disaster. When asked for comment Gauteng Health Department said: 'Thank you for your media query. However, please note that this facility falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Tshwane, and thus your query should be directed to them.' Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo denied allegations that clients were turned away at the clinic. 'The city provides nurse-driven and doctor-supported primary healthcare services on behalf of the Gauteng Province Health Department. There are currently two doctors supporting the Karenpark clinic,' he said. He explained that the provincial health department handles the contractual appointment of doctors and deploys them to city clinics. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'It must be noted that not all clients must see a doctor, however, our clinics continue to function with the available resources,' he said. Mashigo said the city is working closely with the health department to ensure uninterrupted quality services for residents. 'With regards to your question on the FF Plus having warned Gauteng Health Department and terminated doctors contracts, you are requested to contact the Office of the MEC of Health in Gauteng,' he said.
