Seek treatment for Covid-19 and other ailments, urges health department

HEALTH minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has encouraged the public to continue to make use of public health facilities for Covid-19 and other ailments and conditions.

Mkhize said while the spotlight is on Covid-19, communities must continue to get access to treatment for other ailments.

“We have noticed since there were reports of excess deaths, we are concerned that the further away people are from large centres and hospitals they tend to be reluctant to move quickly if they think they have mild flu symptoms and yet these can be devastating to those who are senior citizens and have comorbidities.

Related story: KZN set to overtake Cape Town in Covid-19 cases, says health minister

“We also want to encourage those who have other conditions to continue to use our hospitals. When we say we want to give focus to Covid-19 we are not saying we are not treating other diseases; they are just as important as any other.”

The Minister’s comments follows a report by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) which revealed that by the second week of July, the country had recorded 17 000 excess natural deaths. Excess deaths are over and above the expected number of deaths.

“It must not sound like we are saying we only treat Covid-19. We are treating everything. We would like you to continue to use our hospitals,” said Mkhize.

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