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The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU) notes, with alarm, two incidents that occurred recently in the health care sector. The two serious incidents were the fire at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein that happened on the 8th of July and the cyber-attack that crippled the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) around the end of June. 

The fire at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein.

HAITU notes with relief that there were no reported casualties from this incident. This is in spite of a lengthy and chaotic evacuation, led by the Free State Department of Health, which left a lot to be desired. 

While the cause of this devastating fire’s is being investigated, it is worth noting that the Department of Health has seen a reduction of more than 2% in real terms of its budget from 2022 to 2025. This is catastrophic for hospitals. It results in less resources for the day-to-day running of the hospitals and has a direct impact on the quality of the service provided to patients. HAITU has been leading the charge in highlighting the dire shortage of resources, particularly staff and medication, which is as a result of crippling austerity measures. 

We have noted the minister’s recent comments on Morning Live (9 July), regarding his intention to implement the NHI. We warmly welcome this, however, increasing access to quality healthcare to the majority of the population requires proper funding. It can never be achieved in an environment of budget cuts, and crumbling infrastructure. We urge Dr Motsoaledi to urgently intervene in this regard. He must ensure that the public health sector must be adequately funded in order to improve the standard of service, and that includes getting his cabinet colleagues, particularly the Finance Ministry on board to support this initiative. 

The cyber-attack at NHLS

HAITU is very concerned about the cyber-attack that has crippled the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS). Its impact has been devastating for many patients, with their test results being delayed at least until the middle of July, according to the NHLS.

Further-more, the lax IT systems at NHLS are a serious worry. The NHLS, like all hospitals handles very sensitive patient information, which should be secured with the best cyber security systems. These systems exist, but they require investment. All entities require effective resources to ensure that sensitive information in their care is protected. The Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act is very clear on this issue. 

Dr Motsoaledi must intervene to ensure that all in the infrastructure within his purview, and all systems, including IT networks are all fit for purpose. He must ensure that the public health care sector is adequately resourced so that real improvements in service are realised. This will enable the transition to the NHI to be much more seamless. 

HAITU will engage positively with the minister so that real equality in health is realised.

Issued by HAITU