Mpumalanga is not only struggling to keep up with vaccination programs, the situation in healthcare facilities is so dire that healthcare facilities are struggling to provide basic medication to sick people.
Mpumalanga to date has vaccinated 160 955 which ranks this province as the second lowest in the country.
Just recently, Mpumalanga Health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, visited various clinics and hospitals around the province where she saw firsthand the extreme shortages of medication at these facilities.
The MEC stated that her department will ensure medical facilities will receive necessary medicine. However, a week later and the Democratic Alliance (DA) is still inundated with calls from the public, complaining that they are sent away as health facilities do not have antibiotics or even Panados to assist patients. KaNyamazane clinic outside Mbombela is one example.
In a statement released by the Health Department themselves, Barberton hospital was also identified as one of the health facilities that suffered from shortage of medication. MEC Manzini even emphasised that the situation in that hospital was highly concerning.
The DA has since written to Manzini to follow up and to prioritize the stocking of all medicines at all healthcare facilities within seven working days.
If the MEC and her department fail to stock up all medical facilities within the next seven working days, the DA will lay charges against the MEC and her department as the right to have access to healthcare services is a basic human right enshrined by the Constitution.
At a time like this, shortages of vital medication is unacceptable. The DA will continue to fight for the rights of the people of Mpumalanga.