The health department is set to promote exclusive breastfeeding in order to reverse South Africa's high infant mortality rate.

The death of Dr Molefi Sefularo is a monumental loss for the nation and the progressive movement as a whole, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.

The ANC in Gauteng on Tuesday called on the Health Department to probe the peddling of pills used for inducing labour to terminate pregnancy.

Remuneration, ageing infrastructure and general and financial management continue to hamper the public health system in South Africa.

The South African government's "non-response" to the outbreak of swine flu was worrying, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang may be guilty of contempt of court for criticising a ruling that allowed the Sunday Times to comment on her health records, the Public Protector said on Wednesday. The Public Protector made this finding while investigating a complaint of misappropriation of funds against the Health Ministry.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will monitor investigations into the cause of the deaths of nearly 80 Eastern Cape babies, the body announced on Friday. Earlier this week, reports emerged that 78 children from the Eastern Cape had died as a result of diarrhoea allegedly caused by contaminated water.

The government is to intervene to curb rocketing private healthcare costs and prevent the sector's "demise", Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Tuesday. The health charter task team, among others, has been discussing the challenge of making healthcare more affordable, she told the National Assembly's health committee.

The Health Department recalled 10,8-million condoms after the country was hit by "quality issues" during last year, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Sunday. "Yes, we have had a challenge recently with regard to quality issues, but once this was brought to our attention we acted on the matter."

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Thursday vowed to continue engaging traditional healers on health issues, saying they were important partners in the fight against HIV/Aids. "Some people might be resisting traditional healers, but I believe we are on the right track," she said.