Department Of Health
The Department of Health is the South African government ministry responsible for national health policy, regulation and oversight of the country's public healthcare system. It operates under the authority of the Minister of Health and is headquartered in Pretoria. The department's mandate encompasses the formulation and implementation of health legislation, the coordination of provincial health services, and the management of national health programmes addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases. It oversees public hospitals, clinics and primary healthcare facilities across South Africa's nine provinces, serving the majority of the population who rely on state-provided medical services. The department plays a central role in procurement and distribution of medicines, vaccines and medical equipment, and administers key initiatives including the HIV/AIDS treatment programme, tuberculosis control, maternal and child health services, and immunisation campaigns. It works closely with provincial health departments, which deliver frontline services, and engages with regulatory bodies such as the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. The department also sets norms and standards for both public and private healthcare providers and manages relationships with international health organisations. Funding comes primarily from the national fiscus, with the health budget representing one of the largest portions of government expenditure. The department has faced recurring challenges including budget constraints, infrastructure backlogs, staff shortages and medicine supply-chain disruptions, which feature regularly in South African business and policy coverage.
Department Of Health Updates
Committee chairperson welcomes the official launch of Lenacapavir rollout
8th June 2026 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Ms Faith Muthambi, has welcomed the national rollout of Lenacapavir and commended the... →
ActionSA rejects Department of Health’s claim that ConCourt ruling is unrelated to NHI
20th May 2026 ActionSA rejects the Department of Health’s attempt to downplay the significance of the Constitutional Court’s landmark ruling declaring Sections... →
Health committee notes ConCourt judgement on National Health Act provisions
19th May 2026 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Ms Faith Muthambi, notes the judgment delivered today by the Constitutional Court in the... →
Committee chairpersons call for responsive government amid severe weather impact across the country
12th May 2026 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Mr Nocks Seabi, and the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative... →
Parly committee assures hantavirus outbreak remains contained as 42 contacts traced 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 6th May 2026 Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson Faith Muthambi has assured the nation that the current risk of a hantavirus outbreak in... →
Health committee notes department's response to cruise ship health incident
5th May 2026 The Portfolio Committee on Health has noted the media statement issued by the Department of Health confirming the deaths of two international... →
ActionSA Reveals R800k Disciplinary Hearing Against Official Who Exposed Alleged Tender Fraud
10th April 2026 ActionSA can today reveal that the Department of Health spent more than R800 000 on a disciplinary process targeting an official who exposed... →
DA, ANC laud arrival of HIV prevention injection
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th April 2026 The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) have welcomed the arrival of the HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, donated by... →
Health committee disappointed with delays in implementing Health Market Inquiry report recommendations
27th March 2026 The Portfolio Committee on Health has expressed its dissatisfaction with the delays in implementing the recommendations of the Health Market... →
No need for alarm: Committee on Women briefed by Free State University and SABS on sanitary pads
25th March 2026 The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities met and received briefings from the University of the Free State (UFS) and... →
