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DENOSA response to the address by President Ramaphosa
Media statement
Tuesday, 15 June 2021
The Democratic Nursing Organisationnl of South Africa (DENOSA) is disappointed by the address by President Ramaphosa's address to the nation in response to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.
DENOSA had hoped that the government was going to announce an urgent supply of alternative vaccines to the J&J which has cost so much regression to South Africa in terms of vaccinating the elderly who are in the majority amongst those who are needing high care in our facilities as we speak.
South Africans have abided for a longer period of time with the Covid-19 protocols. By the time they relaxed their discipline due to fatigue in adhering to protocols, it would have been the time greater inroads would have been made in vaccinating a large number of the elderly and healthcare workers.
The major problem has been poor monitoring and policing of adherence to protocols. We do not see any major change to how this announcement is likely to have any major impact in managing the spread of community infection.
As a country, we can't keep on restricting the citizens from economic activities due to poor progress by government in vaccinating the most vulnerable in our communities. In fact, this is equal to punishing South Africans for failures of government.
Many people have lost their jobs, and the decision is likely to worsen their plight while many people will still flock to healthcare facilities and become a burden to healthcare workers.
DENOSA appeals to government to think about the burden that healthcare workers are carrying as a result of a low progress in vaccinating the country's vulnerable.
It is sad that South Africa is further restricting economic activities at the time when many other countries, including those which are below South Africa in terms of economic muscle, are reopening their economies, due largely to South Africa's poor vaccination programme.
End
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)
For more information, contact:
Cassim Lekhoathi, DENOSA Acting General Secretary.
Mobile: 0823289671
Simon Hlungwani, DENOSA President
Mobile: 0823289635
