Implementation Progress of the Notifiable Medical Conditions Surveillance System within the Public Health Sector in Northern Cape Province, South Africa, 2021–2024
1
Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
Environmental Health Unit, Northern Cape Department of Health, Kimberley, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3837
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Surveillance of Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMCs) is mandated in South Africa under the National Health Act (2003)1 and aligned with the International Health Regulations (2005)2. In 2017, South Africa introduced an electronic NMC Surveillance System (NMCSS) to improve timely detection, reporting, and response to public health threats. This study reports on the implementation progress and quality standards of the electronic NMCSS in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, from 2021 to 2024.
METHODS:
A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using routine surveillance data extracted from the electronic NMC Reporting App. Key performance indicators included facility and healthcare worker (HCW) training coverage, user registration, notification trends, and reporting timeliness. Data from all public-sector health facilities in the Northern Cape were analysed. Timeliness was assessed as the proportion of notifications submitted within standard timeframes, with focus on Category 1 notifiable medical conditions requiring notification within 24 hours.
RESULTS:
By 2024, all 258 (100%) public health facilities in the province had been trained on the electronic NMCSS. A total of 728 HCWs were approved as registered App users, predominantly nurses and medical practitioners. Registered users increased from 155 in 2021 to 728 in 2024, with variation across districts. Implementation of the electronic system was associated with a 95% reduction in paper-based pulmonary tuberculosis notifications. Between 2021 and 2024, 57,882 NMC notifications were recorded, with COVID-19 dominating early reporting and a transition to tuberculosis and other priority conditions by 2024. Overall, 74.3% of Category 1 conditions were reported within the required 24-hour timeframe.
CONCLUSIONS:
Achieving universal training on the NMCSS has strengthened surveillance capacity, increased electronic reporting and improved timeliness in the Northern Cape. The need for sustained capacity building was indicated by the differences in reporting across the districts, staff turnover and connectivity challenges.
Surveillance of Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMCs) is mandated in South Africa under the National Health Act (2003)1 and aligned with the International Health Regulations (2005)2. In 2017, South Africa introduced an electronic NMC Surveillance System (NMCSS) to improve timely detection, reporting, and response to public health threats. This study reports on the implementation progress and quality standards of the electronic NMCSS in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, from 2021 to 2024.
METHODS:
A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using routine surveillance data extracted from the electronic NMC Reporting App. Key performance indicators included facility and healthcare worker (HCW) training coverage, user registration, notification trends, and reporting timeliness. Data from all public-sector health facilities in the Northern Cape were analysed. Timeliness was assessed as the proportion of notifications submitted within standard timeframes, with focus on Category 1 notifiable medical conditions requiring notification within 24 hours.
RESULTS:
By 2024, all 258 (100%) public health facilities in the province had been trained on the electronic NMCSS. A total of 728 HCWs were approved as registered App users, predominantly nurses and medical practitioners. Registered users increased from 155 in 2021 to 728 in 2024, with variation across districts. Implementation of the electronic system was associated with a 95% reduction in paper-based pulmonary tuberculosis notifications. Between 2021 and 2024, 57,882 NMC notifications were recorded, with COVID-19 dominating early reporting and a transition to tuberculosis and other priority conditions by 2024. Overall, 74.3% of Category 1 conditions were reported within the required 24-hour timeframe.
CONCLUSIONS:
Achieving universal training on the NMCSS has strengthened surveillance capacity, increased electronic reporting and improved timeliness in the Northern Cape. The need for sustained capacity building was indicated by the differences in reporting across the districts, staff turnover and connectivity challenges.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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