Today the Standing Committee of Health visited the mass Vaccination Centre of Hope at the CTICC. The centre, along with the nearly 200 operational vaccine sites across the province, ensure that we remain ahead of any further subsequent waves of infections by providing preventative support to the healthcare system. The steady, reliable rollout of vaccines is also a crucial tool in combating the current wave of infections.
MPP Wendy Philander says: “During the visit today, the committee noted that:
- There are no outstanding equipment or staffing needs. The facility has 0% wastage as all eligible residents who arrive are provided with the lifesaving jabs.
- Individuals within the priority group of 50+ year olds have dominated facility visits.
- This is exceptionally encouraging, as it means almost 70% of 60+ year old residents are already registered for their jabs.
- Registered individuals make up the majority of those coming to receive vaccines at the centre, whereas walk-ins account for roughly 20% of the uptake.
- The centre currently accommodates 1,800 patients per day and can by scaled up to 4,000 per day.
Prudent financial management and sound governance has enabled these successes. It is precisely because our Provincial Treasury has maintained reserves and a strong financial performance over years that we are able to deliver care and escalate our Covid response. It is outlandish that the opposition has sought to criticise the provincial government’s concerted efforts to target support to vulnerable residents who rely on public health facilities.
The clean bill of health for our finances means we can maintain an agile response in terms of the capacity of care provided. That is why the province has previously undertook to repurpose beds at existing facilities which reduced related costs. With the work of the bed bureau system, patients are offered a space where needed.
It is equally important that we maintain smooth running system in terms of the vaccine roll-out. During the next oversight visit of the Standing Committee, we will visit the mass drive-by vaccine site at the Athlone Stadium, a joint effort of the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government. This site is set to further ramp up the vaccination drive in the province.
We all need to focus on the only long term solution of growing the vaccine drive to reach as many eligible residents as possible. From our oversight perspective, the province is ready to accommodate an increase in consistent supply.”
