According to the Northern Cape DA spokesperson, Isak Fritz, this will ensure that the vaccination rollout programme in the province runs smoothly.  Fritz said that there is a shortfall of 365 contract workers needed for the vaccination rollout programme.

Fritz also stated that the DA received complaints from Northern Cape medical doctors who recently completed their higher education training and are unsure about their futures, as they await government to determine their future. The DA hit back at the provincial Health Department by stating that their excuse that a lack of funds is responsible for not placing community service doctors is hollow.

“There is a dire shortage of doctors in hospitals and facilities across the province, including the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital, the Dr Harry Surtie Hospital and the De Aar Hospital. In addition to this, we are in the midst of a global pandemic. The country is desperate for healthcare workers to help fight Covid-19, but it fails to harness the potential of community service doctors, many of whose studies is sponsored with state funds,” said Fritz.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape DA has submitted their proposal of utilising unemployed doctors in fighting the pandemic, to the Health MEC, Maruping Lekwene.

The Department of Health has committed to respond to OFM News' enquiries.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi