The virtual presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) president, Professor Mbulaheni Nemutandani, is so astounding as to leave one wondering if you had encountered a dialogue emanating from the
Twilight Zone.
The HPCSA slides presented on the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill hearings, stated that the NHI should be the only funding mechanism for health in South Africa but also that “private medical aid schemes may continue to exists [sic] but funded separately over and above tax paid for the NHI”. So, the logical question is which statement does he or the HPCSA intend?
The process of vaccinating 16.5 million people in South Africa against Covid-19 by the end of October will begin on Monday, 17 May, as the national roll-out begins.
Provinces have admitted that the start of the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be slow. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, too, has acknowledged this.
The Department of Health has promised that 3,000 vaccination sites will be brought online during Phase Two of the programme. Those over 60 years old are able to register and receive a Covid-19 vaccine during Phase Two, which is scheduled to run from 17 May until the end of October.
Pfizer vaccines will be administered at 83 public sector sites and four private sector sites from 17 May, according to Mkhize on Sunday evening during a press briefing. He was joined by the health MECs of all nine provinces.
Schools yet to receive $750m COVID-19 support
BY LORRAINE MUROMO
TEACHERS yesterday dismissed claims by government that it had released over $750 million to schools for procurement of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE).
Schools are set to open on March 15 and government has announced that it is equipping schools with PPE and other World Health Organisation (WHO)-stipulated COVID-19 necessities to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers.
However, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou yesterday alleged that government had not yet released the $750 million required to secure COVID-19 sundries for students and teachers.
“Currently, schools are in a fix, and are struggling to ease financial constraints and accumulated debts since they used their own money last year to buy sanitisers among other related COVID-19 materials, the government has not refunded the money yet,” Zhou said.