Vusi Mthembu DOH Ethekwini District Communication, 83 King Cetshwayo Highway House, Mayville, Durban (2026)

22/08/2026

EThekwini Health District Takes a Major Step Forward in the Fight Against Cervical Cancer more than 1000 women were seen today.

DURBAN – A significant mass cervical cancer screening campaign was successfully held today at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), marking a pivotal moment in eThekwini Health District's efforts to combat one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among South African women.

The campaign, which aligns with the national goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat, provided free, high-precision screening services to women in the district. This event is part of South Africa's broader strategy to scale up prevention efforts, a response to the country's high burden of disease, where an estimated 11,000 women were diagnosed and 6,000 died from cervical cancer in 2022 alone.

A Shift to Advanced Screening Methods

At the core of today's initiative was the use of advanced HPV DNA testing, representing a major transition from the older cytology (Pap smear) method. The Department of Health is rolling out HPV DNA testing as the new national standard for cervical screening due to its higher precision and ability to detect high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.

While traditional Pap smears have been the backbone of screening for decades, the system has faced challenges, including staff shortages and delays in returning results. South Africa has initiated a complete national transition towards this more effective molecular testing to improve early detection. All HPV-positive samples identified during screening are now promptly referred for reflex cytology, enabling faster triage and more accurate diagnosis. In a further breakthrough, the introduction of HPV self-sampling kits is helping women overcome barriers by allowing them to take the test in the privacy of their own homes.

Integrating Care for High-Risk Populations

The screening day at IALCH emphasized the particular importance of regular screening for women living with HIV (WLHIV), who are at a significantly higher risk. According to Professor Motshedisi Sebitloane, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at IALCH and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, "Women living with HIV are at higher risk of being infected with multiple subtypes of high-risk HPV, which tend to persist longer in the epithelium".

National policy mandates immediate cervical screening for WLHIV upon HIV diagnosis, with follow-up every three years if initial results are normal. Professor Sebitloane stressed that screening efforts are essential and should be integrated into routine healthcare to reach the most vulnerable groups.

A Coordinated National Effort

This local campaign comes on the heels of the national launch of the Strategy for South Africa's Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategic and Implementation Framework (2026-2030) earlier this month, which is spearheaded by the Department of Health. The strategy aims to meet ambitious World Health Organization targets by 2030:

· Vaccination: 90% of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15.
· Screening: 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by age 45.
· Treatment: 90% of women with pre-cancerous lesions treated and 90% with invasive cancer managed.

The drive at IALCH, led by the hospital's dedicated team of gynecologists and oncologists, demonstrated the immediate implementation of these national guidelines at the district level. Dr. Atisha Maharaj, a Gynae-Oncologist at IALCH and a member of national advisory committees on HPV and cervical cancer, facilitated the event, reinforcing the facility's leadership in women's health.

This initiative in eThekwini Health District represents a crucial step towards eliminating cervical cancer in South Africa, proving that through vaccination, innovative screening, and accessible treatment, a future free from this disease is achievable.

District used departmental transport to transport patients from their clinics to the main venue.

Vusi Mthembu
EThekwini Health District
Communications

23/06/2025

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 JUNE 2025

*PUBLIC URGED TO PRIORITISE PET VACCINATION AFTER DOG BITE LEADS TO FATALITY*

EThekwini Municipality has ramped up its rabies awareness and vaccination efforts following the tragic death of a dog owner in the eZimbokodweni area.

The man died after being bitten by his unvaccinated dog, which later showed signs of rabies. These included unusual aggression and behavioural changes.

Upon investigation by the City’s Communicable Diseases team, it was revealed that the man had been bitten in March but only sought medical attention two months later when the virus had already spread through his body.

Sadly, he passed away. This recent case is similar to an incident that occurred last year in the Ngonyameni area, where a three-year-old child died after coming into contact with a suspected rabid dog.

Rabies is a deadly but preventable viral zoonotic disease that spreads through the saliva of infected mammals, including dogs, cats, mongooses, goats, and cattle.

Once symptoms appear in humans, the disease is almost always fatal. However, timely vaccination can prevent infection.

The World Health Organisation lists rabies as one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases, disproportionately affecting the poor in under-resourced areas.

Director of Health in the City, Rosemary Van Heerden said eThekwini Municipality has adopted the One Health approach, which involves multi-sectoral collaboration to eliminate human rabies by 2030.

“We have already convened two stakeholder meetings with various departments who pledged to support the campaign. As a result, we successfully vaccinated 385 domestic animals—372 dogs and 13 cats during a three-day campaign in the eZimbokodweni area this month,” said Van Heerden.

Symptoms of rabies in humans can include headaches, fever, confusion, and muscle pain.

Any contact with a potentially infected animal, whether through a bite, scratch, or lick requires immediate first aid and medical evaluation.

Wounds should be washed thoroughly with running water and soap and reported to a health facility immediately.

EThekwini’s Communicable Diseases Directorate is working closely with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to expand vaccination and public education campaigns in high-risk areas.

The public is encouraged to contact the eThekwini State Vet Office on 031 328 9300 for more information on rabies vaccination campaigns and prevention measures.

ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications and Marketing Directorate.

23/06/2025

Acting HOD Penny Msimango Leads Initiative at R.K. Khan Hospital

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Acting Head of Department, Ms. Penny Msimango, is currently leading the initiative at R.K. Khan Hospital in Chatsworth.

This initiative forms part of her regular top management (MANCO) monthly meetings. Demonstrating the Department's ongoing commitment to improving service delivery, Ms. Msimango has decided to hold these critical meetings with top management at a different healthcare facility every two months. This hands-on approach ensures leadership directly engages with the operational realities across the province to meet community healthcare needs.

Ms. Msimango, alongside her leadership team from Head Office, is on the ground touring various hospital units. They are actively assessing daily challenges, witnessing operations firsthand, and engaging directly with patients, hospital management, doctors, nursing staff, and district management to address issues immediately.

09/06/2025

PROTECTING PATIENT PRIVACY AND UTILIZING OFFICIAL COMPLAINT MECHANISMS

The Department of Health reaffirms its unwavering commitment to patient care, dignity, and privacy.

We urgently appeal to the public to refrain from using social media to raise medically related complaints or share details of patient treatment.

Why this is critical:
1. Patient Privacy & Dignity: Publicly sharing medical details strips patients of their fundamental rights to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality. Not every patient consents to having their health struggles broadcast to the world.
2. Doctor-Patient Confidentiality: We are legally and ethically bound by strict doctor-patient privacy laws (e.g., the Health Professions Act). We cannot and will not publicly discuss patient files or specific medical cases to counter social media claims. Doing so would violate our legal obligations and betray patient trust.
3. Medical Complexity: Human physiology and medical treatments are highly complex. What may appear concerning or negligent to a layperson is often standard, scientifically grounded practice (e.g., managing complex wounds, specialized nutritional support, or medically-induced fasting). Years of specialized training equip healthcare professionals to make these nuanced decisions.
4. Harm of Misinformation: Public speculation based on incomplete understanding fuels misinformation, damages institutional reputations built on expertise, and causes distress to vulnerable patients and their families.

The Correct Path for Concerns:
We have robust, confidential complaint mechanisms designed to address your concerns without compromising patient privacy or dignity:
1. Start Locally: Raise your concern with the Sister-in-Charge of the ward.
2. Escalate Internally: If unresolved, contact the hospital's Public Relations Officer (PRO).
3. Hospital Leadership: Next, approach the Hospital CEO.
4. District Level: Escalate further to the District Health Office.
5. Final Provincial Escalation: If still unresolved, contact the office of the MEC for Health.

Contact details for the PRO, CEO, and District Directors are clearly displayed on notice boards in all our facilities for your convenience.

Our Appeal:
Respect Patient Privacy: Never share identifiable patient details or medical information on social media.
Trust the Process: Understand that complex medical situations require specialized expertise. Trust the professionals.
Use Official Channels: Our internal mechanisms exist to investigate and resolve concerns confidentially, respectfully, and effectively, protecting all involved.
Refrain from Public Speculation: Avoid simplifying or misrepresenting complex medical situations online.

By utilizing official channels, you protect the vulnerable, uphold the law, and allow us to address your concerns properly. We cannot correct public misinformation by violating patient privacy. Let us work together to maintain dignity, privacy, and trust in our healthcare system.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
Protecting Your Health, Respecting Your Privacy

END

21/03/2025

KZN HEALTH MEC NOMAGUGU SIMELANE LEADS IMPACTFUL “Qo-Qo-Qo” COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMME IN RURAL MQEKU COMMUNITY

· Innovative door-to-door health programme reaches more than 120 rural residents;

· Neglected six year-old girl among the beneficiaries

19 MARCH 2025

KZN HEEALTH MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane earlier today led a life-changing door-to-door campaign known as “QO-QO-QO, Sikhulekile Ekhaya,” in the heart of rural Mqeku area, in eThekwini Municipality’s Ward 2, near KwaXimba.

“Qo-Qo-Qo” denotes the sound made by a knock on the door, and signifies the essence of this interactive and highly impactful community outreach programme.

The initiative is one of the build-up activities to the second G20 Working Group Meeting which takes place in the Province next week, from the 26th to 28th of March.

Today’s programme saw healthcare teams descend on people’s homes, conducting various forms on health inspections. By the end of the day, they had reached over 120 patients with a wide range of health challenges.

While the programme addressed common health concerns, it also helped uncover deeper, life-altering cases that required urgent attention.

Among the many stories shared was the case of a six-year-old child living with HIV, who had not received Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) for the past two years because her elderly caregiver was unaware of her status. But through this outreach effort, the child was quickly linked with the necessary care, and the treatment plan began.

In another instance, a 53 year-old man who recently suffered a stroke was immediately rushed to hospital by ambulance, after undergoing a medical examination.

During other door-to-door visits, it was also discovered that several households had children who were not benefitting from the Government's child support grants.

But, thanks to MEC Simelane’s initiative, these children will now be connected with social workers to ensure they receive the support they need, further highlighting the holistic and comprehensive nature of the outreach programme and its ability to address pressing health and social welfare issues.

MEC Simelane emphasised the importance of such programmes, particularly in rural communities, describing them as a critical part of primary healthcare.

“This initiative, which we call ‘Qo-Qo-Qo, Sikhulekile Ekhaya,’ serves as a reminder that healthcare must go beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals. In an ideal setting, we must go where people live, meet them where they are, and ensure that no one is left behind. By honouring our responsibility of going out to the people, we reduce the incidence of people presenting to healthcare facilities when their ailments are already at an advanced stage. What we did today bears testimony to what can be achieved when healthcare and social services work together to create a healthier, more equitable future for all.”

ENDS

06/02/2025

Semukela Inhloko yoMnyango eBambile (Acting HOD) Ms Penny Msimango. Sizobe sinaye ohlelweni lwethu oluyinqayizivele i-KZN Health Chat. Uma unombuzo kuyena noma ufisa ukumphathisa okuthile ungabhala lapha bese uzoziphendulela bukhoma emsakazweni uma sesisemoyeni.

03/02/2025

ISIMEMEZELO ESIPHUTHUMAYO:

Kungaba iphutha elikhulu ukuthi imibiko engasilona iqiniso nengamampunge ekhishwe ezinkundleni zokuxhumana ikhansela lase Thekwini uCllr Zwakele Mncwango siyishiye singayiqondisile siwuMnyango.

Ngoba kuyacaca ukuthi ngale video nesitatimende esingesilona iqiniso leli khansela linezinhloso zokuholela ophathe umphakathi, nokudicilela phansi isithunzi soMnyango wezeMpilo esifundazweni.

Asinaso isiqinisekiso sokuthi yingani leli khansela likhethe ukuthi liyobika inzwabethi ezinkundleni zokuxhumana ngale kokuyiqinisekisa nomnyango, ekubeni linayo yonke imigudu nezindlela zokuxhumana nqo nomnyango.

Asiqale ngokuqinisekisa izakhamuzi zesifundazwe ukuthi akusilona iqiniso ukuthi sesiphelelwe imithi ezibhedlela nasemitholampilo yesifundazwe.

Lemibiko siyithatha njengohubhu nje lukabhejane oluqhamuka kukhansela. Okubuhlungu ukuthi asizazi izinhloso zikakhansela zokwedukisa umphakathi ngalolu hlobo.

Sihlale siwexwayisa nomphakathi ophila ngokwenza i-Content emakhasini ezokuxhuma ukuthi sicela ukugweme ukwakha i-Content ngezindaba ezibucayi nezithinta izimpilo zabantu zomnyango wezempilo, ikakhulukazi lezo zindaba uma zingaqinisekisiwe ngoba kulicala elibomvu ukudukisa umphakathi ngezindaba ezingesilona iqiniso 'fake-news' ezithinta ukuphila kanye nezimpilo zabantu.

Lokhu sikuthatha njengeshobolo elikhulu uma lomkhuba sewenziwa nayikhansela okungumuntu okumele ngabe umele wona umphakathi hhayi ukuwedukisa.

Singakusho singananazi ukuthi abukho nobuncane ubuqiniso kulesi sitatimende kanye ne-Video ekhishwe ilelikhansela.

Empeleni, sithanda ukumphonsela inselelo yokuthi asiphe ubufakazi bezinsolo zakhe ngokuthi asitshele ukuthi ngabe isiphi isikhungo noma umtholampilo akhuluma ngawo, asiphe ukuthi iphele kuphi nendawo imithi, aphinde asixhumanise nabo bonke labantu athi abayitholile imishanguzo.

Simphonsela lenselelo ngokungananazi ngoba siyazi ukuthi abukho nhlobo ubuqiniso emibikweni yakhe.

Ngebhadi elikhulu ubuye wavele wakhetha ukumboza yonke imitholampilo ngabhande linye wathi ayisenayo imithi kanye nemishanguzo.

Lokhu kukwenza kucace bha ukuthi ukhansela unezinhloso zokubheca umnyango. Ngoba ukuba inkulumo yakhe beyihlose ukwakha isizwe nokusiyisa phambili ubezosipha imininingwano yesikhungo akhuluma ngaso, asiphe nomuntu okunguyena ongawatholanga amaphilisi ngoba kuyacaca ukuthi akusiyena njengoba yena ekucacisile kwi-Video yakhe ukuthi yena akazisebenzisi izikhungo noma imitholampilo yemiphakathi kodwa usebenzisa lemitholampilo ezimele ngoba une-Mediacal Aid.

Kodwa wakubona kufanele ukuthi abike imibiko engasilona iqiniso ngendawo angakaze ayisebenzise.

Ukube ubebuzile ngemigudu efanele ngabe sikwazile ukuthi simchazele ngaphambi kokuba azihlaze ngalolu hlobo.

Kuyichilo nehlazo ukuthi umuntu osesigabeni sakhe asebenzise izinkundla zokuxhumana esabalalisa izindaba ezingesilo iqiniso 'fake-News' ngenhloso yokwedukisa umphakathi.

Iqiniso ngalolu daba abezama ukubika ngalo ukhansela engaluqinisekisanga wukuthi, uMnyango usanda kukhipha umyalelo wokuthi uhlelo loku-order impahla - nemithi - ebithengwa ngqo yizibhedlela sekuzolawulwa enhloko-hhovisi.

Lokhu kuyingxenye yokuzama ukonga imali njengoba kwaziwa ukuthi sekunesikhathi umkhakha wezempilo ungasitholi isabelo-zimali esanele ukubhekana nazo zonke izidingo zawo. Siyazi kukhona abangeneme ngalokhu, okungenzeka bagcine sebezihlanakezela lezi zindaba ngenhloso yokudukisa umphakathi.

Empeleni, eminyakeni ecishe ibe yisithupha eyedlule, lesi sabelo sesehluleke wukwenyuka ngemali engaphezu kuka R12 billion, nokuyifakayo incindezi esabelweni sezimali zomnyango njengoba intengo yezinto yenyuka njalo, futhi nesimo somnotho sinzima. Nokwenza sihlale ngokubuyekeza izindlela namasu ahlukahlukene okusenzisa izimali ngendlela ephusile nokonga lokhu umnyango okutholayo.

Yize noma kunjalo asikafiki esigabeni lapho sithi asisakwazi ukuthenga imithi. Iqiniso lithi iKwaZulu-Natali ingesinye sezifundazwe ezibalwa njengezihamba phambili ekusabalalisweni kwemishanguzo kanye nokuba nemithi yokuhlinzekwa kulabo abafika ezikhungweni zethu.

Ngakho-ke siyacela ukuthi abantu bakithi bangathuki futhi bengavumi ukudukiswa ngabantu abasabalalisa izindaba ezingama mpunge 'Fake-News'.

Iqiniso lithi basengeza ezikhungweni zethu. Imithi ikhona namaphilisi akhona.

Uma unganelisekile ngemithi oyitholile ungabika kumphathi wesikhungo (CEO) noma kumxhumanisi wesibhedlela (PRO). Ungadlulela nakumphathi wesiFunda (District Director).
UNgqongqoshe wezeMpilo uNksz Nomagugu Simelane wabacela ukuthi basabalalise izinombolo zabo zomakhal' ekhukhwini bazibeke obala ezindongeni zezikhungo zezempilo (Notice Boards).

Uma usuhlulekile kuyo yonke lemigudu ephakanyisiwe ukuthola usizo ungaxhumana ngqo nehhovisi likaNgqongqoshe ngo-Whatsapp kule nombolo elandelayo: 082 314 1167. Yonke lena yimizamo yomnyango yokuthi kungabi khona ilungu lomphakathi eliphuma esibhedlela linganelisekile ngosizo elilutholile.

23/01/2025

Impilo iyasetshenzelwa.
Uhlelo lwakho oluyingqayizivele, i-KZN Health Chat, olukuqwashisa ngezifo ezahlukahlukene, likunike namaqhinga okuzigwema, lubuye ngezinkani njengoba luzobe luzwakala yonke indawo kusukela kusasa.
Ake usazise ukuthi yiziphi izifo obona sengathi ziyedlanga emphakathini, ofisa siqwashise ngazo?

01/01/2025

BABIES BORN ON NEW YEAR’S DAY:

• And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to inform you that, as of 7am this morning, KwaZulu-Natal had been blessed with the arrival of 45 New Year babies, born in our healthcare facilities across the province.
• This was made up of 26 girls and 19 boys.
• Since 09h30, this number has grown to 55, made up of 33 girls and 22 boys. Medication vacation, loss to follow
• Our first New Year’s baby is a bouncing baby boy who was delivered at Hlabisa Hospital at five minutes past midnight (00h05), followed by another boy, at seven minutes past midnight (00h07).
• These babies have a birth weight of 3,2kg and 2,7kg; and their mothers are aged 27 and 29 respectively.
• All in all, Hlabisa Hospital has had a total of 5 New Year babies, which makes it one of our busiest maternity wards since midnight.
• Here at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, we have had four New Year babies so far, made up of three girls and one boy.
• St Mary’s Hospital, in Marriannhill, has been among our busiest maternity wards, having welcomed seven New Year babies so far.

• It is followed by Harry Gwala Regional Hospital (formerly known as Edendale), with six New Year babies; and Newcastle Hospital, with five New Year babies.

• To these newborns and their families, we offer our heartfelt congratulations. The birth of a child is a moment of great joy and responsibility.

• As the Government of Provincial Unity, we are committed to ensuring these little ones get the best start in life, including:
 Early birth registration to secure their legal identities.
 Facilitating registration for the child support grant for qualifying families, which my colleague MEC Shinga will speak more about.

- MEC Nomagugu Simelane

30/12/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 December 2024

KZN MEC FOR HEALTH NOMAGUGU SIMELANE APPLAUDS HOLIDAYMAKERS FOR THEIR HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS

DURBAN: KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Ms Nomagugu Simelane has commended holidaymakers for their commendable health consciousness, demonstrated by their enthusiastic participation in today's health awareness programme.

MEC Simelane led the annual health blitz from Blue Lagoon to South Beach Police Station, an initiative that forms part of the department’s ongoing campaign to promote healthy lifestyles during the festive season and beyond.

"Today, I engaged with many holidaymakers, particularly from Gauteng and the Free State provinces, as well as locals. It was heartwarming and commendable to see how seriously they take health issues. I believe we were able to drive the message home, and I’m pleased with the public’s positive response," said MEC Simelane.

The health awareness blitz provided a platform for the MEC to interact with the public, encouraging them to use the holiday season as an opportunity to adopt and maintain healthier habits. She distributed health information pamphlets and engaged in dialogue with the holidaymakers. Along the beachfront, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health offered a range of health services, including:

*Providing on-site testing and treatment,
*Promoting adherence to medical treatment,
*Raising awareness about safer sexual practices,
*Highlighting the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption,
*Advocating against drug use, as well as,
*Treatment for jellyfish stings.

“This health blitz has become a significant part of our end-of-year calendar. Even during the holidays, it is essential for individuals on chronic medication, such as ARVs, or those managing TB, diabetes, or hypertension, to remain consistent with their treatment regimens,” said MEC Simelane.

She further encouraged families to support their loved ones in managing chronic conditions to reduce the burden of disease within communities.

“Let us enjoy the festive season responsibly, making choices that prioritise safety and health.”

MEC Simelane wrapped today's proceedings by participating in this year's final instalment of KZN Health Chat multimedia programme, which delved into a number of issues, including heatstroke, EMS training opportunities, as well as malaria awareness.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Vusi Mthembu DOH Ethekwini District Communication

22/08/2026

23/06/2025

23/06/2025

09/06/2025

21/03/2025

06/02/2025

03/02/2025

23/01/2025

01/01/2025

30/12/2024

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