08 NOVEMBER 2020

IT IS HIGH time that party revelers and mourners at funerals demanded accountability from hosts who do not follow the COVID - 19 safety protocols, if a second wave of COVID - 19 infections and deaths is to be averted.

This is the clarion call from KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, as the much-feared second wave of COVID - 19 rears its ugly head in various parts of the globe.

Hit by an exponential increase in infections, England has already gone into a hard lockdown, which will remain in place until 2 December; while the US earlier this week recorded more than 121,000 new daily coronavirus cases on 5 November 2020, exceeding its previous record of more than 100,000 new cases reported the day before.

KwaZulu-Natal has had 149 new COVID - 19 cases in the past 24 hours; and 3256 COVID - 19 deaths from a total of 123 886 infections. The province currently has 5286 active cases, and has had 115 334 recoveries.

Speaking during a community outreach programme known as #IsibhedlelaKubantu at Mthonjaneni Local Municipality Ward 6 (Melmoth, King Cetshwayo District) yesterday, MEC Simelane-Zulu said: "We are worried about the possible return of a second wave of COVID - 19, if we do not change the way we do things. When we attend funerals, we must be ones who say, 'No. Please do not make us sit like this'. And if one of the mourners is not wearing a mask, let us kindly ask them to put one on, so that they may protect themselves, as well as us.

"Those of us who host other ceremonies, such as events or weddings, must ensure that their patrons are protected. Many people have passed away after attending funerals in rural areas because there has been less adherence to COVID - 19 safety protocols, such as the wearing of masks, washing of hands, and social distancing. We are pleading with our people to ensure that we vanquish this disease by following these practices."

Yesterday's #IsibhedlelaKubantu programme, which took place under a scorching sun, was well attended and had a tangible massive impact on the lives of rural village dwellers at Emthonjaneni Ward 6.

No fewer than 130 patients were seen in just a few hours by dedicated teams of healthcare professionals, including a doctor, nurses, dentists, optometrists, and medical male circumcision practitioners.

Nine women underwent Pap Smears to detect cancerous cells in their cervix; 48 patients were tested for Tuberculosis; and 63 were screened for eye-related ailments, with five patients who exhibited sight-related challenges being referred to hospital.

No fewer than 55 patients received glasses, another 55 received walking sticks, three received wheel chairs, and three underwent medical male circumcision, while 11 were seen for dental services.

One of the beneficiaries, 60 year-old Bonani Ncengwa from Ward 6, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to MEC Simelane-Zulu for bringing the programme to her area.

"I underwent a health inspection. We felt very welcome. I was also very happy with the level of treatment that I received. I got all the help that I needed. Overall, I'm very grateful," she said. The visit to Emthonjaneni Ward 6 came a day after MEC Simelane-Zulu had descended on Ramsgate, near Port Shepstone, as part of her Nqo-Nqo-Nqo Sikhulekile Ekhaya house-to-house-visits programme. Accompanied by four teams made up of doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals, the programme saw 13 households being visited in the area. Ramsgate/Ray Nkonyeni Ward 2 resident Sharee Van Rensburg commended MEC Simelane for coming to her aid. After being attended to by healthcare professionals just outside her home, she said: "I think this is an absolutely super idea. The team of healthcare professionals comes around and checks all folks, it's really super and I didn't think it would happen, but here they are. I think visiting people in their own homes and attending to their healthcare needs is a marvellous idea. Keep it up. It's awesome and it gives a lot people hope. I couldn't believe it. A lot of people can't go to clinics because they don't have money for transport. This is a marvellous idea." MEC Simelane-Zulu vowed that the Department would continue to strengthen Primary Health Care, while augmenting it with its new and innovative community outreach programmes, such as Isibhedlela Kubantu, Nqo-Nqo-Nqo Sikhulekile Ekhaya, and many others.

ENDS Issued on behalf of Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, KZN Health MEC