The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), the backbone of South Africa's public pathology system, is scrambling to secure new blood-testing providers. This follows the service running out of money for key pathology services. The contract covering small and medium haematology labs at several of the country's largest hospitals has lapsed. Funds in a central purchasing arrangement ran dry.
The affected laboratories sit in major facilities including Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke, Groote Schuur, Red Cross Children's, Dr George Mukhari, Tshwane District, Nelson Mandela and Inkosi Albert Luthuli.