Ailing and abetting

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. In the Northern Cape, government built what should’ve been a functional, modern, state-run mental healthcare facility. It was the long-awaited fulfilment of a promise to those in need of mental healthcare services in a province desperate for psychiatric facilities. But five years after it was finally opened, whistleblowers have come forward describing a facility that’s in urgent need of attention. And for once, a lack of funds isn’t the problem. Documents and images obtained by Carte Blanche show how the mismanagement of funds by the Northern Cape Department of Health and the hospital are eating away at the budget meant for vulnerable patients. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟰 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 At just 21 years old, Dr Thakgalo Thibela cuts an unassuming figure in the dingy halls of Helen Joseph Hospital. Given her obvious youth, patients and families alike can be a little sceptical when first meeting her. But she is the doctor on call and, as she moves from ward to ward, Dr Thibela proudly shows off her medical skills. And she’s not alone. Around the country, young doctors – barely into adulthood – are entering the state healthcare service. Their mission: saving lives. The obstacles ahead are more than a little daunting, but they are equal to the task. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟰 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. Few would have predicted anything good could come of the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital when Carte Blanche investigated Free State health in 2015. Politically captured, corrupt, and in distress, Dihlabeng was dying, causing immense suffering for patients in need. Medication stock-outs, dysfunctional infrastructure, and a desperate staff shortage meant it couldn’t run its mandated 24-hour service. Today, thanks to leadership, teamwork and a never-say-die attitude, the hospital is back from the brink – fighting, one patient at a time, to restore the public’s confidence. Equally inspiring, we visit the Speech Therapy and Audiology Department at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital that – far from cutting back services when lockdown came – accelerated and expanded its services. Do these stories of everyday heroes doing their jobs well offer a blueprint for fixing public health? Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. When a child is in an accident or suffers a burn injury, they are rushed to the emergency unit of the nearest hospital – along with every adult in need of urgent care. In most South African casualty wards, there is no distinction between adult and child patients, much to the children’s detriment. They need specialised triage techniques and knowledge, and adult equipment is not designed for tiny bodies. At Sebokeng Regional Hospital, the situation for young patients has become dire. Now, the Carte Blanche Making A Different (MAD) Trust has stepped in. The Trust undertakes special projects for paediatric units in state hospitals. Having recently completed a Paediatric Burns Outpatient Department at Ngwelezana Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, the MAD Trust is creating a first-of-its-kind children’s trauma facility in its third project at Sebokeng Hospital. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv