News | Technology
Relief as National Health Laboratory Service returns to full operational capacity following June cyberattack
Time to read: 00:34 mins
Type of article: News
MedED Catalogue Reference: MNG0041
Category: News
Category Cross-reference: Technology
Keywords: Cybercrime, National Health Laboratory Services, NHLS, public hospitals
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26 August 2024.1130
Linda Ravenhill
Story Update:
Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaala announced on August 22, 2024, that the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has fully restored its operations. The announcement comes exactly three months after a cyber-attack that severely disrupted operations at the facility, forcing it's 265 laboratories to enter results manually and deliver them to hospitals and clinicians via printouts or phone calls, causing significant delays and backlogs. (See full story here)
The ransomware attack targeted parts of the NHLS IT systems, making them inaccessible and disrupting communication with the laboratory information system and other databases. Backup servers were also deleted, necessitating a rebuild of the affected components.
The return to full operational capacity is expected to bring relief to the healthcare community.
Read the previous report here:
22 June 2024 | Cyberattack Crisis: NHLS hack continues to cause chaos in South Africa healthcare facilities
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