Tag: riots

Categories : VaccinesTags :

Vaccination Setbacks and Medical Supply Shortages from Riots

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Jilbert Ebrahimi on Unsplash
Photo by Jilbert Ebrahimi on Unsplash

Speaking to Bheksisa, deputy director-general at the health department Dr Nicholas Crisp described the vaccination programme’s setbacks and medical supply shortages resulting from the recent violence and looting.

The vaccination programme has been set back due to damage at vaccination sites such as pharmacies, and others such as clinics being unable to operate except for some in KwaZulu Natal’s outer rural regions. The programme is unlikely to reach its 250 000 vaccinations per day, he said, rather, 200 000 is a more likely goal. Currently, “going flat out”, the programme is vaccinating 140 000 people per day elsewhere in the country.

All of the available vaccines will be used including those Johnson & Johnson vaccines left over from innoculating teachers and other critical workers.

Those receiving Pfizer vaccines needn’t be too concerned about missing their second dose appointment, as research shows that the immunity conferred is as strong or even stronger at 42 days as compared to the standard 21 days.

However, he said that “the biggest disaster with the looting of medicine isn’t vaccines; it’s the looting of chronic medicine. For close to half of patients in KwaZulu-Natal, it’s gone. So much of the insulin for diabetes patients, the morphine, the antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients, are gone.”

The other challenge, he said, is getting oxygen to COVID patients via blocked roads, and delivering food supplies to hospitals, warning that there are patients who are without food. 

Afrox has confirmed that its facilities in Durban have not been affected by rioting, and their deliveries of medical oxygen continue though often under police escort.

Source: Bheksisa

Categories : Medical IndustryTags :

Clicks Reports Losses of R5 Billion from Riots and Looting

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Michael Longmire on Unsplash
Photo by Michael Longmire on Unsplash

Pharmacy and health and beauty retail group Clicks has reported estimated losses of R5 billion resulting from damage to and looting of stores at shopping malls and distribution centres across South Africa, according to BusinessTech.

Clocks said that it has been forced to close all of its 110 stores in KwaZulu-Natal and 130 of its stores in Gauteng, with long lines reported at those stores that have remained open in the province. Nationwide, 279 stores have been closed and 52 have been damaged. Guidance for those needing medication is available on its website, and online deliveries have been affected as its warehouse is in Johannesburg.

106 vaccination sites have been closed across the country, the group said in a statement, as looting and vandalism continued into Wednesday, predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. They advise that all vaccination sites are now accepting walk-in appointments. Dis-Chem has advised that its vaccination sites in KwaZulu-Natal are closed, as well as three of its seven sites in Gauteng.

The group had previously been forced to close its stores in September 2020 due to threats from the EFF over allegations of racism in its advertising.

Clicks has 760 stores and over 600 in-store pharmacies around country.

“The disruption of services means affected Clicks stores will be temporarily unable to administer vaccinations and provide medication to customers, along with public sector medicine pick-up points being temporarily unavailable.

“Contingency plans are being put in place to provide alternative arrangements for delivery of chronic medication and rescheduling of vaccinations, where possible,” the group said.

The unrest began with protests against the arrest and incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, but has since degenerated into looting and destruction.

Clicks said that the full cost of the looting and damages to stores is still to be determined given the ongoing unrest.

Source: BusinessTech

Categories : HospitalsTags :

Attacks on Crisis-hit Hospitals Averted

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash

As hospitals in violence-hit areas struggle with supplies and staffing, Police Minister Cele revealed that attacks on hospitals had been averted.

Speaking to eNCA, Minister Cele revealed that crime prevention intelligence had prevented attacks on healthcare infrastructure. “In KZN, yesterday… they were planning to burn the hospitals… literally planning to burn the hospitals with patients inside. So, that was averted,” he said.

Minister Cele made the comments while he was visiting an area hit by violence in Mamelodi, Tshwane.

During a briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said that state security intelligence had prevented further destruction of buildings and infrastructure. This information was shared with the police. “We tried our best wherever we could and we affected a lot more than what you see on national television,” she said.

Netcare has had to scramble to secure medical supplies for its hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland said that they had flown in trauma nurses and medical supplies following their supplier’s inability to provide them as a result of the unrest. Dr Friedland said Netcare hospitals remained open despite staffing challenges.

“Like many other businesses, we have experienced some challenges due to staff shortages as a result of staff not being able to reach their place of work, however Netcare’s hospitals remain open throughout the country. We have treated a number of people for protest-related injuries, placing further pressure on an already constrained healthcare system, including emergency medical services,” he said.

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) has also reported that its members are facing challenges getting to and from work because of the violence.