Home News WATCH: Health MEC gets his Covid-19 jab

WATCH: Health MEC gets his Covid-19 jab

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Premier Zamane Saul indicated that he would be the last one to take the vaccination after 67 percent of the Province have had theirs.

Health MEC Maruping Lekwene receives his Covid-19 jab. Picture: Danie van der Lith

AS THE roll-out of the vaccination of frontline healthcare workers in the Northern Cape kicked-off in Kimberley, the Province’s leading citizen, Premier Dr Zamani Saul indicated that he will be the last one to take the jab after the Province had vaccinated 67% of its residents.

The provincial Department of Health said 3 900 healthcare workers in both the private and public sector will be vaccinated in the next two weeks.

Saul, accompanied by the MEC of Health, Maruping Lekwene and the HOD of Health, Dion Theys conducted an oversight visit to the vaccination site which was erected behind the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley.

Lekwene and Theys were both vaccinated.

Saul, however, indicated that he welcomed the vaccine roll-out as it would ensure that frontline workers have some protection against Covid-19.

“Frontline workers are exposed to Covid-19 on a daily basis. The virus is not only a threat to them but also to their families and loved-ones. During this roll-out we will ensure that we vaccinate 300 people per day. We have targeted Harry Surtie Hospital in Upington as the next hospital where frontline healthcare workers will be vaccinated,” said Saul.

He said the only vaccination site is currently the one at Robert Sobukwe Hospital.

“We initially planned to have 11 vaccination sites. We currently only have this one site. We will identify more vaccination sites during the second roll-out of the vaccination phase as we will be targeting more people. We might keep it at the 11 the sites we have identified,” he said.

Premier Zamane Saul and Health MEC Maruping Lekwene at the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination in the Province. Picture: Danie van der Lith

He said the second consignment of vaccines will be arriving in the Province in the next two weeks.

Saul urged residents to get the jab.

“The vaccine is doing well. We have not had any reports of people suffering any side-effects. It is also said to be very effective, so it is very safe and effective to take,” Saul said.

Lekwene said he was impressed with how the entire vaccination process went.

“This process is perfect and does not disrupt the working environment of the healthcare workers. The system is digital and quick. People will have to register electronically and the process is not complicated,” said Lekwene.

He said they have started vaccinating healthcare workers from February 19, 2021.

“We have started vaccinating healthcare workers in the public and private sector. The next facility we will be visiting is Harry Surtie hospital in Upington once the second consignment arrives. After Upington we will then head to Kuruman and then Namakwa,” he said.

Video: Danie van der Lith

He said the provincial health industry had lost hundreds of healthcare workers due to Covid-19 thus far and the vaccine will assist in the fight against Coronavirus.

“Our frontline healthcare workers are the ones who are facing the patients. We have to ensure that they are safe in order for us to fight Covid-19 effectively,” he said.

Lekwene praised healthcare workers for their efficient and fast delivery of their services.

“This process is fast. Residents who want to travel internationally will be issued with proof to show that they have been vaccinated. The team will also check the vitals of residents who had been vaccinated about 15 minutes after they had been vaccinated. This vaccine is very effective and side-effects are minor. Residents need not to be fearful of the vaccine,” Lekwene said.

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