Note to Editors: Kindly find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by DA North West Spokesperson on Health, Gavin Edwards.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West yesterday conducted an unannounced oversight inspection to the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital following reports that a doctor in its service tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
We were informed that the hospital’s decontamination plan was set to take place over the weekend, and that patients will be moved from the theatre, maternity and oncology sections to the private section.
It is concerning that, three days after the confirmed infection, the evacuation plan has not yet been implemented and patients and staff could freely access the infected areas.
Clearly, due processes of testing, placing contacts in quarantine and disinfecting immediately were not followed, which underscores our initial concerns that facilities in North West are not ready to deal with a viral pandemic of this magnitude.
We have noted the MEC for the Department of Health, Madoda Sambatha’s remarks that the 260 people the doctor had contact with, had a low risk of contracting the virus, as the doctor made use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but the slow response to testing of contacts cannot be condoned.
Over the past two weeks, several medical professionals have tested positive at provincial healthcare facilities. As the lockdown is gradually phased out, the associated risk of transmission will increase.
| We again call on the MEC to provide an evidence-based policy that details identification, responses and timelines. The current state of readiness leaves much to be desired and a comprehensive, actionable plan that includes an improvement on the use of PPE, is long overdue.
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