Concern over health laboratory cyber attack

The DA has expressed concern over the continued cyber attack at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and its severe consequences on public health services.

“The attack, attributed to the BlackSuit group, has rendered critical data unusable, significantly disrupting the delivery of essential health services,” said DA MP and member of the health portfolio committee, Michele Clarke.

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On 4 July, the NHLS issued an apology for blood result delays, an issue that arose following the cyber attack.

“Under normal circumstances, laboratory reports are automatically generated and sent to clinicians or made available on WebView.

“This incident has disabled that functionality. However, all urgent results are communicated telephonically to requesting clinicians,” said the NHLS in a statement at the time of the attack.

“Clarke said the delay in test results, especially for life-threatening conditions such as TB and HIV, can have dire consequences for patients.

“The DA urges the NHLS to expedite their recovery efforts and ensure all systems are brought back online by mid-July as planned,” said Clarke.

The NHLS has implemented alternative measures, including a critical test list to manage the workload and ensure urgent tests are prioritised.

However, routine tests are still being performed, albeit under strained conditions.

Clarke said, “The development of an electronic registration system for new samples and test results is a positive step, but the current manual communication of urgent results is not a sustainable solution.”

The DA called on the NHLS to provide regular updates on their progress in clearing the ransomware and rebuilding their systems.

“Transparency is crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring all stakeholders are informed about the steps being taken to resolve this crisis.

“We also commend the NHLS for opening a case with the SAPS and for notifying relevant regulatory bodies about the breach.

“It is imperative that those responsible for this attack are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent future incidents.

“The impact of this cyber attack on patient care cannot be overstated. Without timely access to laboratory results, medical care is compromised, potentially leading to severe health outcomes, including death and disability.

“The DA urges the government and all relevant authorities to support the NHLS in their recovery efforts and to prioritise the restoration of full services.”

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