Limpopo Health MEC forces doctors into isolation facility through court order
Two days ago, two doctors who work in Mpumalanga but live in Modimolle were forced by the MEC to be admitted to the isolation facility through a court order, despite both having self-isolated from the time they tested positive.
LIMPOPO Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba is adamant that any person who tests positive for Covid-19 in the province will be taken to the MDR isolation facility in Modimolle, despite regulations from national government that patients who test positive may self-isolate.
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Two days ago, two doctors who work in Mpumalanga but live in Modimolle were forced by the MEC to be admitted to the isolation facility through a court order, despite both having self-isolated from the time they tested positive. The MEC’s heavy-handed approach was in no uncertain terms conveyed by those who arrived to transport the doctors, as is evident on a voice clip that was sent to Review.
Shortly after the doctors tested positive, they were contacted by the Health Department and EMS personnel, on 30 March performed physical checks. Both doctors’ vitals were normal. No indication was given that the doctors’ self-isolation approach was unsatisfactory. A day later, EMS personnel once more arrived at the house the doctors share, this time informing them that they need to be moved to the MDR-TB hospital, a move both resisted. As they were both clinically stable, the doctors declined this opportunity, saying the move would put them in an environment which may further aggravate their condition. The MEC consequently obtained a court order to compel them to be admitted.
The MEC is of the view that the South African Medical Association (Sama), who since addressed her in an open letter, is criticising the powers that be. “What they are complaining about, is the collective decision-making process of the Limpopo Government. These measures were put in place as it is a common fact that the province has limited healthcare resources,” Limpopo Health Spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha, told Polokwane Review.
Sama, through its Chairperson, Angelique Coetzee has expressed concern regarding the way the doctors were treated, saying it will result in other healthcare workers being hesitant to be tested or disclose their status at a time when, ironically, the country needed them most. Given the severe shortage of medical personnel this will cripple efforts to deal effectively with the pandemic, its statement reads.
The association also accuses the MEC of politicising the events for political gain, which they said was troubling thought.
“You informed the doctors that they had brought the virus to the people of Limpopo, and that they should have stayed where they were at the time, despite their explanation that they work in Mpumalanga but live in Limpopo. Further to this, you informed the doctors that since they don’t work for the Limpopo Health Department, they should go back to where they are employed. They were further told they can self-isolate anywhere they want, just not in Limpopo,” the letter reads.
The doctors have, since their admission to the MDR facility received appalling treatment. “We were locked up by nurses and have no way of reaching out to them. Every meal seems to consist of bread only and there is no toilet paper,” one doctor told Review.
The department has criticised the association for the open letter, saying they should have approached them directly, something Sama said the association did do. Sama is currently working with a lawyer to have the MEC’s court order rescinded, the judgment of which is expected on Monday.
Popo Maja, the National Department of Health’s Director of Communication, confirmed that self-quarantine is the national protocol.
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