By Kaya 959 Reporter
Acting Health Committee Chairperson Tshilidzi Munyai has called on Gauteng to fast-track vaccination drives.
Munyai said all provinces need to ensure they vaccinate eligible people.
“We must build a broad front of faith-based and community organisation, school governing bodies, community policing fora, the public sector, trade unions and organised business in partnership with the government to accelerate vaccination,” he said during an oversight visit in Gauteng.
Munyai commended Gauteng Premier David Makura for championing the vaccine drive in the province.
The Committee had been following up on progress in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal following last month’s unrest.
Officials also visited the Tembisa Hospital where they noted the infrastructure challenges as well as staff shortage issues.
Munyai said Tembisa Hospital, which services communities in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, needs more resources equal to that of Northdale Hospital in KZN.
“Tembisa Hospital has made significant progress in implementing the Ombudsman’s recommendations. However, more resources are urgently required to improve infrastructure, including building more wards. This will require Kempton Park Hospital to be reopened and the building of a new regional hospital to ease pressure on Tembisa Tertiary Hospital,” he said.
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Call for public/private partnership
Gauteng’s public health hospitals have also been dealt a blow following the closure of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.
Part of the hospital was damaged in a fire in April. After patients were transferred to other medical facilities, it was decided that the hospital would remain closed for repairs.
The DA has proposed a public/private partnership to fully reopen the hospital.
The party’s Jack Bloom said patients are suffering severe hardship as major sections of the hospital remain closed.
According to the MEC for Infrastructure Development, Tasneem Motara, all the structurally safe sections of the hospital will only fully open in 2023, while no date can be given at this stage for the repair of the fire-damaged sections.
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