Eastern Cape Department of Health

02/03/2026

Today we are at Holy Cross Hospital to open the Flagstaff Thuthuzela Care Centre.

Advocate Mkhuseli Rusi, from the NPA says the purpose of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) is to provide support to victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV), not just r**e victims.

Ms Thembisile Mboniswa, PEP & PrEP Manager in the Eastern Cape Department of Health has pledged that the department will provide capacitation and training for the clinicians and caregivers at the TCC. The department will also provide debriefing sessions for the caregivers.

Brigadier Waka, from the Lusikisiki Zone, has pledged that there will be a SAPS member on-site to fast track the process of taking statements and opening cases. "Our goal is to make the process as less traumatic as possible for the victims".

Department of Social Development Area Manager, Ms Futhi Ms Nothobela said Site Cordinators are urged to be part and parcel of the gender based violence issues. "The Lusikisiki forum is already working, needs assistance".

"Officials need to go through the Thuthuzela proctocol so that they can understand the vision mission and the mandate of the project," added Nothobela.

"Coordinators must have a file for each and every victim so that if the victim’s docket gets lost, the file will serve as a backup. There will be continuous protocol engagement for to officials to broaden the understanding of it."

Speaking on behalf of the hospital management, Holy Cross Hospital Clinical Manager, Dr Bongani Mhlanga expressed his gratitude for the Flagstaff TCC.

"Clinicians are ready to take the project forward. Our wishe is to support the work of the TCC so it's reach could can grow."

To date, there are 69 Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) in South Africa and 12 in the Eastern Cape.

The Flagstaff TCC is comprised of the NPA, SAPS, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, Department of Education and the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.

28/02/2026

ECDoH condemns learner pregnancy and calls for parental guidance

By Ovayo Velebayi

Eastern Cape Department of Health Deputy Director General (DDG) for District Health Services, Ms Miyakazi Nokwe told the hundreds who gathered at the Bensonvale Multipurpose Hall in Sterkspruit that “no child between the ages of 10 and 19 should fall pregnant”.

Speaking the during the occasion of the Eastern Cape provincial commemoration of the STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness Week, Nokwe called on parents to play an active role in guiding and educating their children about sexual health.

“While teenagers have access to digital devices that can be educational tools, parents must take have open and honest conversations about sexual behaviour,” she said.

“Families must not to shift the responsibility solely to the Department of Health, but to work together in strengthening moral guidance and awareness at home. Parents, especially mothers, should speak boldly and transparently to their children so that the values and lessons taught at home can guide young people when they face peer pressure and persuasion.

“As the Department of Health, we are ready to provide all the necessary support to the youth, because our facility provide a comprehensive busket of services,” she concluded.

The Youth Zone, better known as Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services (AYFS) program, is one of the strategies through which government aims to improve access to healthcare services for young people.

The Executive Mayor of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Councillor Nomvuyo Mphoselwa officially opened the Sterkspruit Town Clinic Youth Zone, where she encouraged the youth to make use of the services that are tailor made for them.

“Youth Zones wered established to provide a safe, private, and supportive space for young people accessing primary healthcare services. This initiative responds directly to concerns that many adolescents feel judged or uncomfortable when seeking healthcare services. The Youth Zone ensures that young girls and boys can confidently access youth-friendly services without fear of stigma, discrimination, or intimidation,” said the Executive Mayor.

The event also brought healthcare services directly to the community through 18 mobile clinics, offering a comprehensive basket of services on-site.

These included:dental services, ophthalmic services, TB screening and testing, HIV testing services, STI screening and management, family planning services, PrEP initiation, cervical cancer screening, age-appropriate health education as well as child health services and immunization.

This “services on wheels” approach ensured that learners and community members could access essential healthcare conveniently and free of charge.

The STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness event in Sterkspruit demonstrated the power of collaboration between government, schools, parents, and the community in addressing critical health challenges affecting young people.

Through education, open dialogue, and accessible youth-friendly services such as the Youth Zone, the Eastern Cape Department of Health reaffirmed its commitment to the triple elimination of new HIV infections, STIs, and teenage pregnancies.

The STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness campaign was held under the theme “United Action for Triple Elimination”and it was welcomed with great enthusiasm, as the Bensonvale Multipurpose Hall, which can host up to 600 people, was filled to capacity.

A heartwarming notion was the fact that the majority of attendees who gathered for this impactful awareness initiative, aimed at empowering youth with knowledge and access to health services, were learners from 21 schools across Sterkspruit, mainly from Grades 9 to 11.

27/02/2026

A glimpse into how the commemoration of the STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness unfolded today at Sterkspruit, Joe Gqabi District.

27/02/2026

On the sidelines of the Post SOPA Business Breakfast, Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, spoke to Mpuma Kapa TV on the Department’s response to medico-legal cases, particularly those involving cerebral palsy and birth-related injuries.

The MEC highlighted the consolidation of specialised care at facilities such as Dora Nginza Regional Hospital and Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital where multidisciplinary teams provide long-term treatment, rehabilitation, caregiver support, and assistive services.

27/02/2026

The Eastern Cape Provincial Commemoration of the STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness Week is underway at the Bensonvale Multipurpose Hall in Sterkspruit.

The hall is filled to the brim by various stakeholders, including learners from 18 different Sterkspruit based schools.

27/02/2026

Ms Miyakazi Nokwe delivering the purpose of the day during the Eastern Cape Provincial Commemoration of the STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness Week currently in progress at the Bensonvale Multipurpose Hall in Sterkspruit.

27/02/2026

The briefing session ahead of the STI, Condom and Pregnancy Awareness Week Provincial Commemoration is in progress at the Sterkspruit Public Library in the Senqu Local Municipality.

Present at the session is the Executive Mayor of the Joe Gqabi District, Councillor Nomvuyo Mphoselwa, Speaker of the Joe Gqabi District Councillor Mzukhona Bhomela as well as senior officials of the Eastern Cape Department of Health.

27/02/2026

The Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, spoke to Mpuma Kapa TV’s Yamkela Mtshiyo on the critical issue of unemployed doctors in the province.

The MEC outlined the department’s ongoing engagements, plans to absorb healthcare professionals, and the broader efforts underway to strengthen frontline services while addressing unemployment within the medical field.

27/02/2026

27/02/2026

Deputy Director for HIV prevention in the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Ms Liziwe Lunyawo, will be live on community radio on 26 February 2026 to discuss STI prevention, condom use, HIV testing, and teenage pregnancy as part of ongoing sexual and reproductive health awareness. These interviews form part of the build-up to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Event scheduled for 27 February 2026 at SBensonvale Multipurpose Hall in Sterkspruit, Joe Gqabi District.

Radio interview slots:
Alfred Nzo Community Radio — 98.3 FM & 93.8 FM — 12:10, 27February 2026
Ikhala FM — 95.7 FM — 18:10 26 February 2026

27/02/2026

On the sidelines of the Post SOPA Business Breakfast at the East London ICC, Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ms Ntandokazi Capa, will be live on UmhloboWenene FM 📻
The MEC will reflect on the State of the Province Address (SOPA), outlining key health priorities and highlighting the department’s milestones, progress, and plans to strengthen healthcare delivery across the Eastern Cape.
🕰️: 10:10 AM
📅: 27 February 2026