THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MONITORING COVID-19 COMPLIANCE IN THE PROVINCE
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ISSUE 3 WHEN THE SUN RISES
WE WORK HARD TO DELIVER
Mpumalanga Provincial Governemt MpumalangaGov
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MONITORING
COVID-19 COMPLIANCE IN THE PROVINCE
The Mpumalanga Department of Health led capacity in Health facilities through community protective measures such as washing of
by the MEC of Health, Ms Sasekani Manzini participation to ensure that essential health hands or sanitizers, wearing of mask and keep
continues to monitor Covid-19 compliance and services continue uninterrupted and that social distancing, limit social gatherings and
assess the implementation of the Clinic Based COVID-19 patients can access life-saving time spent in crowded places.
Model in relation to COVID-19 resurgence. treatment, without compromising public “It is encouraging to note that in the areas I
Manzini has already visited a number of health objectives and safety of health workers. visited so far there are measures put in place
shopping centres and health facilities in the The MEC was happy to see the cooperation to mitigate the spread of the virus and I will
three district. The aim of the visits is to monitor between taxi drivers and passengers, the continue to visit public areas unannounced.
and encourage compliance in line with the shoppers and stores managers with regard to The MEC further appreciated the work ethics
coronavirus lockdown regulations and assess adherence to COVID-19 lock down regulations displayed by all frontline Health Workers, and
the implementation of the Clinic Based Model and protocols to curb the spread of infection the support demonstrated by Private-Sector
in relation to COVID-19 resurgence. and keep everyone safe. MEC Manzini and the community members at large in the
The model was established to increase encourages everyone to continue to practice fight against COVID-19.
2 INHLABAMKHOSI Issue 3 Vol 2020/21
PHARMACEUTICAL AND RADIOLOGY SERVICES WILL BE
PROVIDED FOR 24 HOURS AT ROB FERREIRA HOSPITAL
The Mpumalanga Department of Health Patients had to return the following day to Sasekani Manzini said “The expansion of
to expanded access to Tertiary Health collect non-emergency medicines after being service hours to both Pharmaceutical and
Care Services at Rob Ferreira Hospital. As seen by doctors after hours. Pharmaceutical Radiology services is part of government’s
from monday the 1st February 2021 the and radiology services were limited to effort to contribute directly to the realization of
Pharmaceutical and Radiology Services will be emergencies only. The 24 hour services in both desired health outcome and to improve access
provided for 24 hours at the facility to improve departments will increase access to care whilst to the specialized tertiary hospital services
access to the Specialized Health care services improving the quality of life of our community. in the Province”. Manzini went further and
in the Province. This will also improve the referral system as pointed out that, this was achieved through
In most of the public hospitals in the country, patients transferred after hours will access exploring different models of working time to
pharmaceutical and radiology services are both services within acceptable waiting times. get what best suits and benefits both available
dependent on the ‘on call’ system after hours. The MEC for Health in Mpumalanga, Ms human resource capacity and patients.
www.mpumalanga.gov.za
Issue 3 Vol 2020/21 INHLABAMKHOSI 3
Mpumalanga Province rolls out J&J COVID-19 vaccine
The Mpumalanga Province has received their not be feasible to transport them daily, so it pharmacies and doctors rooms in both public
Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccine will be stored in the hospital pharmacy. Mzanzi and private facilities. Outreach vaccination
rollout kicked off at Rob Ferreira Hospital, and will be transporting the required number of programmes shall be conducted by
later at the Witbank Hospital. Premier Refilwe vaccines to Witbank Hospital on a daily basis,” professional outreach teams and will focus
Mtshweni-Tsipane confirmed that 2000 she explained. on old age homes and other congregated
doses of the vaccine have been delivered to “The J&J vaccines that we have received has settings,” said Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane.
the Rob Ferreira hospital, while 1640 doses to a 57% protection against moderate to severe “The work-based vaccination programme
the Witbank Hospital. Covid-19 infections, 85% protection against will target specific work based areas such
Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane said that South severe infections and 100% protection against as the mining sectors, our industries and
Africa received a consignment of 80 000 death,” she said. government departments,” she added.
Johnson & Johnson jabs from the US at OR She said that she was happy the way that She emphasized that government will
Tambo International on the 16the of February things were unfolding and that the decision to collaborate with the SAPS to provide en-
before they were flown around the country to start with the Health Care Workers first was route safety of all vehicles transporting the
different vaccination centres. the correct one. vaccine from the storage centres to various
She said that this has been the sterling work by “Statistics show that our Health workers are vaccination centres.
the Department of Health as well as the Inter- most susceptible to contract the COVID- 19 Dr. Savera Mohangi, Head of Department,
Ministerial Committee on Covid-19 vaccines. infection. They are at the forefront on a daily Department of Health, has been the first
“Government has kept to its commitment basis and exposed to this virus and the virus citizen in the Mpumalanga Province to get a
to start the vaccination programme by the might have a detrimental effects to their lives. jab of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
middle of February,” she said. Let them be prioritised and the rest of us shall “I have responded very positively to the vaccine
According to her, the J&J vaccine has been follow,” she said. and I have not encountered any problem so
approved as part of the Sisonke study of the “We are also preparing for a possible third far,” she said.
Medical Research Council. She said that the wave that could be experienced in May this Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane urged all the
vaccines will be located centrally at the Mzansi year. If this happens, we need to have all our Mpumalanga citizens to continue to exercise
Ethical Centre warehouse in Middelburg. health workers healthy and protected against maximum caution by continuing to wear
“For the first batch, the Medical Research the virus,” she commented. their masks, practicing social distancing and
Council identified Rob Ferreira Hospital Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane said that the washing or sanitizing hands regularly and
and Witbank Hospital as the two sites in first phase will cover immunization of all thoroughly.
Mpumalanga to receive the vaccines because health care workers, whilst the second stage She also urged citizens to register on the
of the number of Health Care workers will include essential workers, persons in Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).
affected,” she said. congregate settings, persons over 60 years “If at least 67% of our people are vaccinated,
“The Centre will then distribute it to the two of age and persons over 18 years with co- we should have sufficient herd immunity to
facilities identified by the Medical Research morbidities and phase 3 will cover all persons prevent further transmission of COVID-19 and
Council for the first batch. Rob Ferreira over 18 years. put an end to the to the devastation of the
Hospital is far from Middelburg, hence it will “Vaccination Centres will include local pandemic,” she concluded.
www.mpumalanga.gov.za
4 INHLABAMKHOSI Issue 2 Vol 2020/21
1 2
1. Ms Mohita Latchminarain
MEC for Department of Public Works,
Roads and Transport.
2. Mr Vusi Mkhatshwa,
MEC for Finance, Economic
Development and Tourism;
3. Mr Speedy Mashilo, MEC for
Department of Human Settlements,
4. Ms Busisiwe Shiba,
MEC for Department of Co-Operative
4 5 Governance and Traditional Affairs
Mpumalanga Premier reshuffles her cabinet
Mpumalanga Premier Ms Refilwe Mtshweni- non-negotiable commitment to bettering Affairs;
Tsipane has executed her cabinet reshuffle the people’s lives. • MEC Lindiwe Ntshalintshali will be
at Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Nelspruit. The newly appointed Members of the responsible for the Department of Social
She said that the motivation for the cabinet Executive Council are: Development;
reshuffle is to optimise the effectiveness • Honourable Speedy Mashilo, who will • The appointments of the new members
in government and ensuring that better be responsible for the Department of taking up new portfolios in the Executive
services are delivered to the people of Human Settlements, Council are with immediate effect.
Mpumalanga, whilst calibrating the • Honourable Busisiwe Shiba who will be Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane said that the
Provincial economy. responsible for the Department of Co- performance of the newly constituted
“As you will recall, on the 8th of May 2019, Operative Governance and Traditional executive will be monitored against
the people of Mpumalanga gave this Affairs specific outcomes and where there is non-
Administration a clear mandate to accelerate • Honourable Vusi Mkhatshwa who will performance, decisive action will be taken.
holistic economic growth, and to expedite be responsible for Finance, Economic She said that the composition of the
our response to the triple challenges of Development and Tourism; and Executive Council also re-affirms the
poverty, inequality and unemployment. • Honourable Mohita Latchminarain who commitment to advancing the development
This mandate has been exacerbated by the will be responsible for the Department of of capable female leaders who will continue
advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, “she said. Public Works, Roads and Transport. to constitute 50% of the Executive Council.
“If we are to be equal to this mandate, it The following MECs were moved from their Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane also pointed
is our responsibility to ensure that this incumbent portfolios to new portfolios; out that a significant number of young
Government is capable, efficient and is • MEC Vusi Shongwe will be responsible people have been included that will infuse
strategically poised to oversee the efficient for the Department of Community vibrancy to re-invigorate the functioning of
and optimal utilisation of public resources,” Safety, Security and Liaison; the Executive Council. She also thanked all
she commented. • MEC Thandi Shongwe will be responsible the outgoing Members of the Executive.
Whilst making changes in the Executive for the Department of Culture, Sport and “Your service to the people of Mpumalanga
Council, she said that she took a number of Recreation; and your contribution to the development of
considerations into account, key amongst • MEC Mandla Msibi will be responsible the Province will forever be heralded in the
which include members who embody for the Department of Agriculture, Rural history books of our beautiful Province,” she
commitment, hard work, integrity and the Development, Land and Environmental concluded.
www.mpumalanga.gov.za
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