10 In 2018, Ministers of Health and of Police met to discuss safety and security challenges emanating from the incident where a Dr was shot at in Limpopo at Letaba Hospital. It was resolved that an inter departmental task team should be established comprising SAPS, PSIRA, DLE, SSA and all Provincial Security Managers to develop a safety and security strategy to address security challenges.
2. In this regard, a Task Team through National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINS) developed a plan with the following deliverables:
Progress to date
The following table reflects progress to date
Deliverables |
Progress |
Development of security infrastructure norms and standards |
Done: Infrastructure Unit Support Systems (IUSS) was developed and Gazetted. This is a document developed for health facilities and provides norms and standards, which include security services. |
Memorandum of Agreement between SAPS and Department of Health |
Done: MOA for collaboration was developed and signed by both the Director-General of Health and the National Commissioner of South African Police Services |
Deployment of Reservist at identified hot spot hospitals |
Work in progress: Costing for the development of police Reservists was done, waiting for provinces to request for deployment when required |
Development of a Health Security Dispensation (in-sourcing of security) |
Work in progress: Dependent on inputs from provincial in-sourcing strategy and/or hybrid model, which would then be consolidated into a nation strategy. These are still outstanding. |
Physical assessment of hot spot hospitals |
Done: Assessments were conducted at all hot spot hospitals and recommendations were submitted to relevant HoDs for implementation. |
3. In addition to the establishment of the task team by both Ministers (Health and SAPS), NDoH has established a team to facilitate the implementation of safety and security strategy emanating from NATJOINTS comprising South African Medical Association (SAMA), Medical Women Association of South Africa (MWASA), Provincial Security Managers and Organised Labour.
4. The National Department of Health internal team came up with the following action plan:
5. CONCLUSION
Both NATJOINTS task team led by SAPS and internal stakeholder’s security committee are meeting on continuous basis with the view to ensure that all provinces implement the strategy.
END.