The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has finally restored what it calls critical services on its information technology infrastructure and systems following a cyber security breach reported in June, which impacted on its services pertaining to the laboratory registration, results processing, and reporting.
The NHLS was forced to adopt a manual system which caused delays and causing backlogs in sharing patients results to the hospitals.
NHLS CEO, Professor Koleka Mlisana stated that as of Thursday, August 1, 2024, some of the critical services have been brought back online in a phased and controlled manner, beginning with academic and larger laboratories countrywide.
“This means that healthcare professionals can now obtain patient results online through the NHLS
Laboratory Web Results Viewer, giving them access to crucial patient information needed for patient care
continuity. Bringing the Laboratory Information System back online is expected to significantly reduce the
pressure and backlog associated with manual processes used by NHLS laboratories to collate and
communicate results to physicians, streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency, ” said Professor Koleka.
Despite ongoing global cyberattacks, the NHLS said it remains committed to safeguarding its information
technology assets while carrying out its mandate, as well as working to restore normal service delivery.