THE Covid-19 vaccination process was disrupted by the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. This according to acting Health Minister, Mamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, who was speaking at the vaccination site at Moses Mabhida People’s Park on Friday, July 23.
“We are concerned about what we have seen in the recent days in terms of the impact to the health care system,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.
“In terms of the pandemic, we are seeing the numbers decreasing and what we are communicating for now is that these numbers might be artificial because quite a number of people had gatherings,” she added. Kubayi-Ngubane said the surge response team has been activated in the province to respond to a possible surge in Covid-19 cases.
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“In terms of our vaccine rollout programme in the province, yes, there was a disruption, but we are seeing the recovery of the province in terms of vaccinations, whereby the numbers are starting to increase. The report we are receiving is that in one day they will vaccinate 1700 people on site in one facility. That tells you that the province has picked up its pace,” she added.
Kubayi-Ngubane also raised concerns around damage to health care infrastructure and health care workers’ access to their places of work.
“What concerns us is the fact that during the protest, people were able to stop doctors and nurses, even in their uniforms. This concerns us because it put a strain on our healthcare facilities. People went and destroyed health care facilities. Almost R2 million of damaged infrastructure on various sites in the province. We will have to look at how best to support the province in recovering and rebuilding that infrastructure because they are needed in the province,” she said.
According to Kubayi-Ngubane, ambulances were also damaged.
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“Previously when there were protests, you would never have healthcare facilities being targeted. You would never have healthcare workers being stopped from going to work. My appeal is that as you protest, remember that you might get injured and need a healthcare worker. Please don’t disturb them as they go to work,” she added.
The acting minister inspected the Moses Mabhida vaccination site before heading to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital for another site inspection.
The visit was aimed at enabling the acting minister to get first-hand understanding of the province’s Covid-19 management and response plan; as well as to inspect its ongoing vaccination programme.
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