Public health patients expecting laboratory results may have to wait longer than expected following the cybersecurity affecting the National Health laboratory Service (NHLS) information technology and infrastructure.
NHLS has reported that this issue has forced them to use other means to issue out the results to clinicians telephonically as their automated WebView is hacked.
For critical tests like the HIV and TB, the NHLS is sending what it calls the critical test lists electronically to all health facilities.
A case has been reported with the South African Police Service and all the relevant regulatory bodies about the breach were informed.
NHLS Head of Communication, Mzi Gcumisa said that they view the attack with significant worry as the breach has endangered the safety and wellbeing of millions of public health patients.
On the systems side, the NHLS stated that the current focus is to bring all its systems back online by mid-July to initiate end-user access still remains.
Despite the threat, the NHLS gave assurance that it is fully committed to providing high-quality diagnostic services to the public during this difficult time.