The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) confirms that haematology and other laboratory testing continues uninterrupted across its national network, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of patients across South Africa. Claims that the NHLS has exhausted its operational funding, disrupted critical testing or caused laboratory backlogs are false and misrepresent the facts.
To protect patients from any interruptions in diagnostic services, the NHLS maintains contingency measures, governance controls and business continuity arrangements. These measures are implemented in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and applicable supply chain management prescripts, enabling the organisation to meet operational requirements while sustaining the laboratory services needed to support timely clinical decisions and continuity of care.
The NHLS will continue to safeguard capacity across all laboratory disciplines, including haematology, so that patients and healthcare professionals have uninterrupted access to the diagnostic services needed to inform care.
The NHLS recognises the media’s important oversight role and remains committed to providing accurate information in the public interest. Given the specialised nature of laboratory services, reporting should be technically accurate and appropriately contextualised to ensure that patients and communities receive reliable information without unnecessary concern about access to essential testing.
The Board and its Executives remain accountable for the stability and performance of the NHLS and are committed to protecting uninterrupted diagnostic services for patients and communities across South Africa. As an indispensable pillar of the public health system, the NHLS will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard the laboratory services that support clinical diagnosis, treatment and patient care.
ENDS