Latest news with #Motsoaledi
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Motsoaledi pleased no donor funds were wasted in illicit procurement of oxygen plant
JOHANNESBURG - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said he's pleased no donor funding was wasted in the illegal procurement of service providers to supply the infrastructure to provide oxygen to 55 hospitals. Motsoaledi said Tuesday's release of the findings of the forensic report ordered by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson clears his department of any wrongdoing in the more than R800 million tender. The investigation found the CEO of the Independent Development Trust, Tebogo Malaka, failed to exercise the necessary oversight over ballooning costs. ALSO READ: Macpherson on irregular oxygen plant tender after R13m spend: 'We have effectively lost' Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the finalisation of this investigation removes the dark cloud that's been hanging over the health department. Motsoaledi said those who've been implicated in wrongdoing - not only committed financial corruption - but deprived patients of urgent life-support in the form of oxygen. Motsoaledi's spokesperson Foster Mohale, said: 'Minister Motsoaledi is pleased that the Department of Health lost nothing and all the money that has been donated by the Global Fund is safe. It would have been a sad day if donor funds' money was to disappear under our watch.' The tender has since been removed from the IDT and is now under the management of the development bank. Motsoaledi said that with the finalisation of the forensic investigation, the remaining work will be expedited to conclude the project.
IOL News
a day ago
- Health
- IOL News
Motsoaledi welcomes forensic report clearing Health Department in R800m oxygen tender fraud
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi welcomes the release of the PSA Oxygen Plant tender report, reaffirming the Department's integrity and commitment to delivering oxygen infrastructure to 55 hospitals across South Africa. Image: GCIS A long-awaited forensic investigation into the R800 million Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant tender has uncovered shocking levels of fraud and governance failures within the Independent Development Trust (IDT), threatening one of South Africa's most critical public health infrastructure projects. Now, with the cloud of corruption beginning to lift, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the path is finally clear to deliver life-saving oxygen infrastructure to 55 hospitals across the country. The forensic report, commissioned by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, comes after months of public scrutiny over potential corruption linked to the project's original procurement process through the Independent Development Trust (IDT). Minister Motsoaledi lauded the transparency brought by the investigation, stating: 'I am pleased to note that a credible forensic investigation has gotten to the bottom of this matter to bring this matter to a close.' The report clears the Department of Health of any financial wrongdoing, a relief for a ministry that has relied on international partnerships, including donor funding from the Global Fund, to bolster the country's public health system. 'I am also satisfied that the report has not pointed any fingers at the Department of Health for any financial misdemeanour that may cast aspersions on the integrity of the department, because \[that] would have soured our relationship with the Global Fund,' Motsoaledi added. While the report does identify individuals who acted unlawfully, the Minister emphasised the serious consequences of their actions. 'They did not just commit financial corruption but deprived South Africans of urgent life support in the form of oxygen. As such, the Department of Health would like to see people being held to account and the law taking its course.' 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ The PSA Oxygen Plant project was swiftly moved from the IDT to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in a bid to restore confidence and ensure uninterrupted delivery. That decision, taken jointly by Ministers Motsoaledi and Macpherson when corruption concerns first surfaced, appears to have paid off. Motsoaledi is pleased that the Department of Health lost nothing and all the money that has been donated by the Global Fund is safe. 'It would have been a sad day if donor fund money was to disappear under our watch.' With the report now public, attention turns to the DBSA to fast-track the completion of the vital infrastructure. 'The remaining work of the DBSA will surely be expedited to conclude the project as expeditiously as possible to the benefit of the people of South Africa,' said the Minister. The Health Ministry says it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering critical healthcare infrastructure without delay. IOL News
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Health minister calls for bold action as TB vaccine nears reality
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not only South Africa but countries around the world. 'We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,' he said on Thursday. The minister was delivering the keynote address at the country's TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop in Johannesburg. The workshop aims to advance policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines. Protecting the most vulnerable Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi said the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also support the fight against HIV and Aids. For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine to protect children from TB, but the minister pointed out that there has been no tool to protect adolescents and adults. 'These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB,' he said. With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years. The workshop positioned South Africa as one of the first countries ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults. Ending 'slavery' of disease The minister expressed confidence that upcoming trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups. TB remains a leading cause of death from infectious disease and a major contributor to poor health both locally and globally. 'Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,' he said, likening it to 'the day of true freedom from slavery' for those affected. Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of 'devastating slavery' that fuels poverty and premature death. 'South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.' Commitment to readiness The minister used the country's first national gathering on TB vaccine readiness to reaffirm South Africa's leadership in the global fight against TB and HIV. 'When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,' he said. He noted that throughout his tenure, he has sought to elevate TB on the global health agenda, recalling his 2018 address at the United Nations calling for world leaders to act. 'While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,' he said. He also acknowledged the devastating impact of TB on communities already battling HIV. Systems, trust and investment 'Today's discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.' Motsoaledi emphasised the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout, saying the agenda highlighted key areas such as evidence generation, delivery systems, and supply chain readiness. 'Investment in human life means everything,' he said, calling for strong financial backing and stakeholder support. He urged participants to build community trust and advocate for broad acceptance of the new vaccine. 'We must walk the path with our people,' he said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Motsoaledi urges innovation to end TB
Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not just South Africa but also countries around the world. 'We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,' he said on Thursday. The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the country's TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop held in Johannesburg. The workshop is aimed at advancing policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines. Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi stated that the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also enhance the ongoing fight against HIV and Aids. For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine to protect its children from TB, but the Minister pointed out that there has been no tool that can protect adolescents and adults. 'These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB.' With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years. This workshop positioned the country as one of the first that is ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults. The Minister expressed confidence that the upcoming clinical trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups within the next few years. TB is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease and a major contributor to ill-health in South Africa and globally. 'Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,' he said, likening it to 'the day of true freedom from slavery' for those suffering from the disease. Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of 'devastating slavery' that exacerbates poverty and leads to premature death. 'South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.' The Minister has used the first national gathering dedicated to the TB vaccine readiness platform to reiterate South Africa's commitment to lead by example in the global fight against TB and HIV. 'When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,' he said. He told the attendees that through his tenure as Health Minister, he consistently sought to elevate the profile of TB on a global scale. Motsoaledi recalled his 2018 address at the United Nations, where he rallied for world leaders to commit to addressing the TB crisis. 'While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,' he said. He also acknowledged the disease's severe impact on communities already struggling with HIV. 'Today's discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.' He also used the platform to emphasise the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout of the TB vaccine. The agenda for the workshop highlighted key thematic areas crucial for readiness, including generating evidence for policy and investment, strengthening delivery systems for TB vaccines, and ensuring manufacturing and supply chain readiness. 'Investment in human life means everything,' he said, stressing the need for robust financial backing to ensure effective vaccine deployment. The Minister took the time to urge stakeholders to foster community trust and strong advocacy to ensure widespread acceptance of the TB vaccine upon its introduction. 'We must walk the path with our people,' he said. –
The Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald
Health department takes charge in quest for global TB vaccine in SA
If the clinical trials that are now under way succeed, the world may have a vaccine that can prevent tuberculosis (TB) in adults and adolescents within the next few years, says health minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Motsoaledi was giving the keynote address at a national workshop in Sandton on Wednesday on the creation of a TB vaccine for children and adults. 'This is a beginning of a new chapter where prevention of TB through vaccination will become the order of the day and a groundbreaking innovation,' Motsoaledi said. The workshop was hosted by the department of health in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO). 'For over 100 years, we have relied on the BCG vaccine to protect our children from TB. But we have not had a tool that can protect adolescents and adults', he said. Motsoaledi said the day when an announcement is made on the availability of the vaccine will be a revolutionary and would be like freedom from slavery for citizens. 'The slavery of poverty, which is exacerbated by tuberculosis, premature death of young adults, people losing jobs because of tuberculosis, will come to an end', he said. Motsoaledi emphasised that the key areas that will make the system ready for implementation and rollout of the vaccine will be generating evidence for policy and investments, reliable delivery systems, and production and supply of the TB vaccine. 'These new vaccines will be a game changer for prevention and for reducing the need for TB preventive treatment in health systems', he said. Motsoaledi said the advent of Covid-19 taught the world when urgency met preparation. 'We saw how vaccines could be developed, approved and distributed at record speed but we also learnt that science alone is not enough. Public trust, strong systems, clear communication and equitable access are just as essential,' Motsoaledi said. TimesLIVE
