Tag Archives: The Minister of Health

A call for urgent action as child malnutrition deaths continue to rise

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Picture: Child malnutrition continues to rise/Generic

By AGISANANG SCUFF

10 December 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for urgent national intervention as newly released parliamentary replies confirm that child malnutrition in South Africa continues to claim hundreds of young lives each year. In answer to a written parliamentary question by the DA [RNW6755], the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed that between May and September 2025, 92 and 206 children under 5 years died in public hospitals with moderate and severe acute malnutrition as an underlying condition, respectively.

The DA Spokesperson on Health and Member of Parliament (MP), Michele Clarke said during the same period, 1776 and 2944 children under 5 years-old were admitted to public hospitals with MAM and SAM. Clarke said these numbers follow earlier findings that revealed that between January and April 2025, 155 children under the age of five died in public hospitals with MAM and SAM as an underlying condition and 4 759 children were admitted to public hospitals with moderate or severe acute malnutrition.

“Another PQ [RNW6979] revealed that 19 186 and 5 810 children under 5 years received treatment for MAM and SAM, respectively at public health clinics, while 30 390 children under 5 years (new cases) received food supplementation.

“These numbers highlight a system overwhelmed by preventable hunger and poor early childhood nutrition. To address this crisis, the DA is finalising the Feed the Nation Private Members’ Bill, which aims to bolster the fight against malnutrition by making it easier for supermarkets and consumers to donate unsold edible food to distribution organisations and creating processes for this to be done,” she said.

Clarke further said the Bill proposes clear processes to ensure food safety, accountability and efficient delivery, allowing edible food that would otherwise be discarded to reach families in need. She added that no child in South Africa should die of hunger.

“Malnutrition is both preventable and treatable, and its persistence reflects a failure of governance, coordination, and political will. The DA will continue to fight for the adoption of practical, life-saving reforms and for the protection of every child’s right to nutrition, dignity, and survival,” said Clarke.

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Families encouraged to vaccinate against preventable diseases

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla together with the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha will on Tuesday, lead the African Vaccination Week (AVW) commemorative event at Itsoseng Sports ground in Hebron Village. 

The National Department of Health spokesperson, Foster Mohale said, this is a pivotal occasion to mark the 50thanniversary of Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI). Mohale said this includes its impact on saving lives and catalyzing renewed efforts to strengthen routine immunisation initiatives to prevent avoidable child deaths from childhood diseases.

“The African Vaccination Week is observed annually in the African Region to increase awareness of the importance of every person’s need and right (particularly every child and woman) to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

“The campaign also aims at keeping immunisation high on the national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships. The 2024 campaign will be commemorated under the theme: “The Big Catch Up! Vaccinated Population – Healthy Population,” which highlights the value of immunisation in preventing infectious vaccine-preventable diseases and safeguarding the health of communities.

“The commemoration also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) campaign launched in 2014 to vaccinate young girls at the age of 9 years to prevent cervical cancer,” he said. 

Mohale further said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer. He added that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in South Africa.

“The government has administered over 6 million doses of life-saving vaccines amongst young girls, since April 2014 to date. Phaahla and Sambatha, will be joined by local government and traditional leaders, representatives from stakeholders in the sector. 

“The UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) and civil society organisations promoting access to treatment and vaccines to improve health status through the prevention of diseases and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, will also be part,” said Mohale.

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