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Rising Non-Communicable Diseases: A Looming Health Crisis

Rising Non-Communicable Diseases: A Looming Health Crisis

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a major global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. A new report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Non-communicable diseases: Findings from death notifications (2008-2018), explores the changing landscape of NCDs in South Africa over time, highlighting key trends and insights. Data from the World Health Organization   read more »


The Young and the Restless – Adolescent Health in SA

The Young and the Restless – Adolescent Health in SA

In South Africa, adolescents aged 10-19 represent a significant proportion of the population at 17,4% and contribute to 2,1% of the total mortality. The health and well-being of adolescents is of particular importance in society as they represent the future work force and contributors to potential economic productivity. However, adolescents may face many challenges such   read more »


Healthcare and education spending: GP and WC the odd ones out

Healthcare and education spending: GP and WC the odd ones out

Provincial government plays a vital role in the administration of the country’s health and education systems, responsible for providing basic education to learners and healthcare to those in need. These two mammoth tasks take up the bulk of provincial government spending. In the 2019/20 fiscal year, total provincial government expenditure was R628,8 billion. Education was the   read more »


The role of EBAs in public healthcare spending

The role of EBAs in public healthcare spending

There are a small number of healthcare institutions that fall in the extra-budgetary accounts and funds (EBAs) arm of government. You may have heard of the South African Medical Research Council and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority in media coverage of COVID-19. A recent report by Stats SA provides pre-COVID-19 financial data for   read more »


COVID-19:  Greater concern about economic collapse than health

COVID-19: Greater concern about economic collapse than health

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has embarked on a series of three online surveys to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households in the country. This report is the first wave in the series and focuses on health-related aspects in terms of behaviour, knowledge and perceptions with regard to COVID-19. The survey was   read more »


Maternal health care in SA shows signs of improvement

Maternal health care in SA shows signs of improvement

During the 7-year period before the South Africa Demographic Health Survey (SADHS) 2016, the pregnancy related mortality ratio was 536 pregnancy-related deaths per 100 000 live births. For every 1 000 live births, about five women died during pregnancy or within 2 months after childbirth (SADHS, 2016). While South Africa has made significant progress with regard to   read more »


Maternal Health Indicators

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                  11 March 2020 Maternal Health Indicators The Maternal health indicator report, released by Statistics South, shows an increase in births delivered in a health facility from 83% in 1998 to 96% in 2016. The results also indicate that a skilled health provider assists in nearly all deliveries (97%). A nurse or midwife delivered   read more »


Provincial government spending: Education and health

Provincial government spending: Education and health

South Africa’s 123 provincial government departments spent just over R17 600 per second in the 2017/18 fiscal year. That represents a total of R557 billion over a period of 365 days. The bulk of the money flowed into provincial governments’ two main areas of responsibility: education and health. Education took up the lion’s share. For every R100   read more »


Public healthcare: How much per person?

Public healthcare: How much per person?

You can consider yourself one of the lucky few if you have medical aid. According to the latest General Household Survey, only 17 in 100 South Africans have medical insurance, the essential key that opens the door to private healthcare. As many as 45 million, or 82 out of every 100 South Africans, fall outside   read more »


SADHS: A Mirror for South African Health

Risky sexual behaviour still a reality in South Africa Statistics South Africa recently released the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Key Indicator Report. The report, which presents key findings from the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) that was conducted in 2016, is intended to provide policy makers and programme managers with   read more »


03-09-17 - Migration Profile Report for South Africa: A Country Profile

Migration Profiles are country-owned tools, prepared in consultation with a broad range of government and non-government stakeholders, which can be used for evidence-based policymaking, and the mainstreaming of migration into development planning. The report was prepared in consultation with IOM Regional Office for Southern Africa, and it presents information on Migration Trends and Migrant Characteristics, Impacts of Migration on Human Development, Employment and the Labour Market, Social Development, Health, and the Environment. read more »


StatsInBrief - Statistics in Brief

Information in Statistics in Brief is taken from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) releases and reports.read more »


P0318 - General Household Survey (GHS)

This report presents the results of the General Household Survey (GHS) conducted annually by Statistics South Africa from 2002. The survey collects information on a variety of subjects including education, health, the labour market, dwellings, access to services and facilities, transport, and quality of life.read more »


92-02-01 - Children Series Volume I Children exposed to maltreatment, 2021

South Africa has a high rate of child maltreatment and abuse. This maltreatment occurs in homes, schools or neighbourhoods. Perpetrators could be caregivers, parents and educators or other children. Violence against children is a threat to development related issues in South Africa, including education, health and safety and security. Government has the responsibility to prevent violence and crime against children and to guaranty the rights for all children to have a safe space to grow and live their lives. Protecting children against violence will ultimately lead to a more peaceful and inclusive society. The purpose of this report is to identify the extent of the problem in South Africa.read more »


03-00-18 - The Status of Women's Health in South Africa: Evidence from selected indicators

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) prioritizes the global health of all persons. Also, the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in changes in reproductive health among women in South Africa. This report examined the status of women’s health in the country in recent time. It highlights the patterns and trajectories of selected indicators such as maternal and neonatal health, pregnancy, termination and delivery-related issues, gender-based violence, HIV epidemic and hunger during COVID-19. In achieving this, cross-sectional and administrative data were analysed. Overall, findings from the report were consistent with expectations in most cases.read more »


Ingquza Hill

The municipality is bordered by the Bizana Local Municipality to the north, the Port St John’s Local Municipality to the south and the Ntabankulu Local Municipality to the northwest. It comprises the magisterial areas of Lusikisiki and Flagstaff. The surface area is 2 477km2 and the population density is 112,4people per square kilometre. Economic activity is largely subsistence farming, although the Magwa Tea Plantation provides limited commercial productivity as well as job opportunities.

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Port St Johns

Port St John’s forms part of the O.R. Tambo District Municipality. It is bounded on the eastern side by the Indian Ocean. To the north-east, it is bounded by the Mzintlava River and Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. It is constituted by one magisterial area, viz. Port St John’s. The municipality is largely rural/traditional in character and the main economic activity is subsistence farming.

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Nyandeni

This municipality is one of the five that make up the O.R. Tambo District Municipality. It comprises two magisterial areas, viz. Libode and Ngqeleni. It has a largely rural/traditional character. It is bordered in the south-west by the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. In the north, it is bordered by the Mhlontlo Local Municipality and in the east by the Ntabankulu, Ingquza Hill and Port St John Local Municipalities. The population according to Census 2011 is 290 390 people, which is 21,3% of the population of O.R. Tambo District. In 2001, the population was 274 416 people, which constituted 21,2% of the district population.

The municipality covers an area of 4 231 square kilometers, which gives a population density of 68,6 persons per square kilometer. The municipality’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture.

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Mhlontlo

The municipality comprises the magisterial areas of Qumbu and Tsolo. It is bounded to the south by the King Sabata Dalinyebo Local Municipality; to the east by the Nyandeni Local Municipality; and to the north by the Mzimvubu Local Municipality. The surface area of the municipality is 2 826km2,with a population of 188 226 persons in 2011, which translates to a population density of 66,6 persons per square kilometre.

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Imbabazane

Imbabazane Local Municipality is located at the foothills of the Central Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (World Heritage Site), and is situated between Okhahlamba, Umtshezi and Mooi-Mpofana Municipalities. The majority of the population of Imbabazane Municipality resides in rural villages scattered throughout the municipal area, particularly in traditional authority areas.

Estcourt is the closest urban centre to Imbabazane, and serves as a regional shopping and service centre offering specialist services including medical, education and manufacturing.

Many of the government departments serving Imbabazane have regional offices located in Estcourt. Ladysmith is the main regional shopping and services centre and boasts a healthy industrial centre that continues to expand. Estcourt and Ladysmith are the main employment centres for Imbabazane.

Imbabazane does not have a well-defined settlement pattern, which along with poor municipal capacity has inhibited service delivery.

(Source: www.localgovernment.co.za)

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South Africa and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

In the year 2000 the South African government, along with other members of the United Nations (UN), committed to a national and global plan of action to reduce poverty and ensure the development of its people. The sixth and final Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Country Report for 2015 provides an overview of the progress South Africa has made towards achieving the eight MDGs. In addition, it provides an historical account of South Africa’s development in numbers. The MDGs are:

  1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  2. To promote universal primary education
  3. To promote gender equality and empower women
  4. To reduce child mortality
  5. To improve maternal health
  6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  7. To ensure environmental sustainability
  8. To develop a global partnership for the development.

This report reflects the intense national effort, from a range of institutions, organisations and individuals, to improve the lives of all South Africans; particularly the poor and marginalised. A great many people have contributed to this report through their participation in various consultative fora across the country, often at great expense and sacrifice. What started 15 years ago certainly does not end here, and reporting on development issues will continue through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is therefore critical that South Africa’s unfinished MDG business, as well as emerging developmental issues, be appropriately integrated within the SDGs in a manner that places the spotlight on them, while providing adequate direction and impetus for effective planning, development of appropriate policies and budgets, and the construction of appropriate national monitoring and reporting systems.

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Causes of Death 2013

The registration of deaths in South Africa is governed by the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992 (Act No. 51 of 1992), as amended. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) uses death notification form DHA-1663 to register all deaths and stillbirths. Stats SA collects completed death notification forms from the DHA head office for data processing, analysis, report writing and dissemination. Causes of death statistics are compiled in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) regulations that require that member nations classify and code causes of death using the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). Statistics from civil registration are the only national source of information on mortality and causes of death in South Africa. Such information is invaluable for the assessment and monitoring of the health status of the population and for planning of adequate health interventions. Accordingly, these statistics are also essential in tracking progress and monitoring key development objectives outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) adopted by the South African government in 2012. The plan asserts that health care can be improved through decreasing mortality by combating infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and the emerging tide of non-communicable diseases. The government objective, ‘Health care for all by 2030’ outlined in the NDP is aimed at reducing child and infant mortality; maternal mortality; and combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases by 2030.read more »