Latest news with #GDoH
The Citizen
2 days ago
- 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
5 days ago
- 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!
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
New MRI machine installed at Steve Biko
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) says it's accelerating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine updates to enhance patient care across public facilities. Provincial Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, said so while speaking during a legislative response to the state of MRI machines across hospitals. Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department acknowledges the past delays in service provision due to machine breakdowns, ageing infrastructure and limited distribution of MRI units. 'We have taken steps to ensure that MRI machines are supported by service-level agreements to prevent lengthy downtimes and ensure quick resolution of technical faults. Several new machines have been commissioned. and staff capacity is being enhanced to manage demand,' she said. MRI is a non-invasive medical imaging technique used to create detailed images of the body's internal structure using strong magnetic fields and radio waves. It's used to diagnose various medical conditions, monitor treatment and assess soft tissue, bone and blood vessels. MRI doesn't use ionising radiation like X-rays, making it safer for patients. All four provincial central hospitals, including Steve Biko Academic Hospital, have functional MRI machines. The hospital recently installed a new MRI machine to replace the one decommissioned in 2023. Hospitals without this service offer referrals to nearby facilities depending on urgency and clinical need, and the system is monitored daily. Steve Biko and Dr George Mukhari hospitals offer same-day MRIs for emergencies, while other hospitals conduct inpatient scans within a week. To assist backlogs at hospitals such as Dr George Mukhari (450 patients), extended imaging hours, optimised booking systems and improved radiology staffing have been implemented. The department is also upgrading digital systems such as the picture archiving and communication system to streamline data handling and reporting, as well as exploring helium-free technology to protect the service in times of cable theft. ALSO READ: Drunk teen driver caught without licence Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
MEC Ralehoko sends off Gauteng Health staff to Comrades Marathon
GAUTENG.- Forty-five (45) #AsibeHealthyGP ambassadors are set to take health and wellness to the fore by participating in the Comrades Marathon taking place on Sunday, June 8. The race covers 88km starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Durban. The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko yesterday, (Thursday, June 5) bid farewell to the Gauteng Department of Health's (GDoH) Athletics Team that will be participating in 'the Ultimate Human Race' and carrying the aspirations of over 82 000 colleagues who wish them nothing but the best in their running. 'Your commitment to health and wellness is truly inspiring. By participating in this marathon, you showcase the values we uphold in our department and the broader community. Remember, every step you take is proof to your hard work and determination. Whether you cross the finish line first or last, your participation alone is a victory worth celebrating. Your courage and dedication serve as a beacon of inspiration for us all,' the MEC said. This year's race is under the theme 'More Than A Race – Isiko Mpilo'. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
