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A Parliamentary Committee said it was concerned about the apparent disconnect between a report from the Eastern Cape Government on its fight against Covid19 and what is being experienced on the ground by citizens.
Committee Chairperson, Faith Muthambi, said in a statement on Friday that the provincial government report received suggested that while there were a few challenges, the fight against the pandemic was progressing well.
However, she said that the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs had highlighted that the fight against Covid19 required a collective effort and this should be based on openness on the part of all stakeholders.
Muthambi says the Committee raised concerns about the lack of progress on the employment of thousands of additional skilled personnel and that only 370 of 768 health clinics meet "ideal clinic" status, as per National Health Insurance guidelines.
“While this is an improvement on the 66 clinics with this status before the 2019/2020 financial year, more must be done to ensure that clinics offer ideal primary healthcare support,” she said
“Furthermore, this is an opportunity to ensure that clinics are fit for purpose post-Covid-19.”
Muthambi said the committee also criticised the decision to purchase motorcycles to function as ambulances, as these vehicles do not meet the required standard.
“The department should have realised that using such transportation raises the risk of undermining the dignity of patients and also puts their lives at additional risk. The committee welcomes the termination of the idea and is hopeful that it does not incur cost penalties,” she added.
Muthambi said that the Parliamentary Committee also called on the Eastern Cape Provincial Government to urgently complete its investigations into allegations of corruption relating to relief funding.
“This should include the case of Mioca Lodge, OR Tambo advanced payment to Amatola Water and the disappearance of R25 million in relief funding from Beyers Naude Local Municipality.”
She said consequences must apply in all cases of wrong-doing and investigation reports must be tabled before the committee as soon as they are completed.
