According to MPs responding to a presentation delivered by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Thursday morning, more needs to be done to strengthen the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. Mkhize was briefing the Portfolio Committee on Health on the rollout strategy of the Covid-19 vaccine and status of healthcare services in the provinces. 

Whilst he assured the House that the vaccine will be in South Africa as of February as previously announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, opposition parties demanded answers as to how it will be rolled out amongst healthcare workers, other front line workers and vulnerable members of the public.

The EFF and the DA further demanded answers on the shortage of ambulances and medical staff at various health facilities across the country.

Concerns raised by members of opposition parties comes just days after the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) warned that hospitals did not have the capacity to deal with the influx of patients with the virus.

Their concerns come amidst growing numbers of positive cases.

OFM News earlier reported that another 844 people have died in the country after contracting Covid-19, pushing the national death toll to 31 368 and that the country has also racked up a new record number of infections with 21 832 new cases.

OFM News