Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital launched their child protection week campaign on June 1, focusing on the different parts of healthcare where children could be neglected.

National child protection week is commemorated annually to raise awareness of the rights of children, as articulated in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Children’s Act (Act No 38 of 2005).
The campaign is led by the department of social development, in partnership with key government departments and civil society organisations rendering child protection services.

Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital staff gathered in a room where different presentations from healthcare workers were shared, to raise awareness and educate the public to identify child abuse early.

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Dr Bulela Vava, from the Wits dentistry department, explained that oral health neglect was part of the list of child protection concerns. “Oral neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, resulting in pain, infection, functional limitation, or impaired development.”

Examples of oral health neglect include untreated, severe dental cavities, recurrent dental abscesses, and repeated missed appointments. The dentist added that oral health professionals do the following: Detect abuse and neglect, document injuries accurately, and provide trauma-informed care.

Ofentse Mabusela, a speech therapist, emphasised the importance of reducing the time spent on screens to improve children’s communication skills and encourage more physical activities. “Communication is important, because children learn language through interaction. Talking, reading, singing, and playing support brain development.”

Mabusela noted that the impact on speech and language caused by more screen time include delayed speech and language, difficulty following instructions, and reduced vocabulary.

To intensify efforts to protect, promote, and support the health and wellbeing of children, the Gauteng department of health is implementing a range of preventative, promotive, and rehabilitative healthcare interventions across the province.

Also read: Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital wants an end to child abuse

According to a statement released: “The department continues to strengthen child eye healthcare services, and, during the 2025/26 financial year, provided approximately 4 546 spectacles to children across Gauteng to improve vision, support learning, and prevent avoidable visual impairment.

“Particular attention is given to children with albinism, who are at increased risk of visual impairment due to reduced melanin levels affecting eye development and vision, as well as premature babies at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, a potentially blinding eye condition.”

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