‘Make Covid-19 tests FREE’
Residents have urged the government to make Covid-19 testing free and more accessible, explaining that many who are Covid-19 positive still walk the streets as they do not know that they have the virus.
POLOKWANE – Young people and other community members from various villages and townships across the province have called on Provincial Government to make Coronavirus tests more accessible and free for everyone at public health care facilities.
With the surge in Covid-19 cases, most rural citizens are adamant that if the tests are free and accessible for everyone, it would help curb the spread.
Thabitha Manamela from Zone 5 in Seshego said the free tests will also relieve the strain on hospitals that are currently overwhelmed. “It is important that all people know their status. We cannot underestimate the impact of the virus. Government must reach out to ordinary people and fight this pandemic together.”
Lesiba Marakalala from Nkotokwane village said most people don’t know their status as they cannot afford to be tested. “The tests at private healthcare facilities are expensive. I think the spread of the virus is caused by people who don’t know their status. There are many Covid-19 positive people walking the streets and public places, simply because they don’t know they have the virus. If they know their status they will stay in isolation at their respective homes. The villages are densely populated by people who lived below the breadline. There are no private healthcare facilities in their areas and I feel if people know their status they will be able to protect themselves, their loved ones and those around them.”
He also added that there are those who are adhering to the regulations and those who don’t. “The Covid-19 regulations are fairly new and may be difficult to everyone, but people are gradually getting used to it. I think with more educational programmes, awareness programmes and extra effort from our government we will win the battle.”
Read more: Limpopo’s daily recorded Covid-19 cases hit a record high
Responding to the calls to make the tests accessible for everyone, Thilivhali Muavha, Spokesperson for Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba, said government cannot test everybody.
“Only those who show symptoms and signs of the virus will be tested for free at public hospitals and clinics. If we start to test everybody we are going to have problems.”
Ramathuba was quoted to have said the increase in numbers is quite concerning considering that during the beginning of December, the province only recorded around 20 cases per 24 hour counting cycle. “These escalating figures paint a worrying picture of community members not following Covid-19 safety protocols during the recent festive season. We are now paying the price of social gatherings, Christmas parties and luncheons, weddings and birthday parties which we have seen during the month of December. We have advised that any kind of gathering during the festive season was a bad idea also considering that we have people who came from other provinces coming home to attend those gatherings.”
She also made a clarion call to community members to act more responsibly during this difficult period.
“As the virus attacks indiscriminately during this second wave, we need to see real behavioral change from our people in order to make a real difference.’
