Covid test kit availability an ongoing exercise
The procurement of Covid-19 test kits is an ongoing exercise driven by demand.
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POLOKWANE – This is according to the Health MEC spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha after a reader contacted Polokwane Observer claiming there was a shortage of test kits at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital and Rethabile Clinic.
“If patients are told that there are no test kits, it usually just means we are waiting for the supply to be delivered. We always try to order in advance but there are instances in which we run out before the next delivery is done.”
Muavha confirmed that Rethabile Clinic has since received a new batch and testing continued as usual.
He further confirmed that representatives from Early Childhood Development Centres had earlier been turned away at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital as the centre had at that point reached its capacity in terms of daily vaccinations.
“If citizens get to an institution that has reached its daily capacity, the head of the vaccination site can ask you to return on a different date. Those citizens who were asked to return can visit a different vaccination site or return on a later date. At the moment, ahead of August 1, we are prioritising elderly citizens.”
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