On Thursday, we mark a year since the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in the Western Cape, which was also the same day the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This anniversary is a time to remember the over 11,300 lives lost, those suffering the aftermath of COVID infections, and to comfort those who love lost their loved ones.
We are also reminded of the great sacrifices made by our doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, and all frontline workers who have given so much to save lives. As a province, we owe a tremendous collective debt to these heroes.
MPP Wenger says: “The best practical way we, as a legislature, can show our gratitude to healthcare workers is to monitor and push governments at all levels for the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. The vaccines are the real game-changer and in conjunction with good practices such as masking-up, avoiding crowds and washing hands, are the only way in which we will ever overcome wave after wave of the pandemic.
That is why, as the Chairperson of the Covid-19 adhoc committee at the Provincial Parliament, I will ensure that we continue to meet with government departments and all involved in the provision and distribution of vaccines. We will push for all answers and maintain transparency which government must provide.
On this tragic anniversary, it is critical to note that the country still does not have a South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved vaccine for rollout. The vaccines received and distributed to-date are all part of the trials, which grant an exemption to the need for full regulatory approval.
We must therefore stress that the province cannot defeat Covid-19 without a steady supply of SAHPRA approved vaccines. Whilst we have welcomed the anticipated delivery of vaccine tranches, we urgently reiterate our call for national government to prioritise and ensure the expedition of approved vaccines along with clear timelines in a phased approach.
If we proceed on our current trajectory, we will see continued re-prioritisation of vaccine recipients. This is unacceptable, especially at such an early stage of the country’s vaccine programme. We cannot find ourselves in a position where we are choosing between vaccine recipients based on their comorbidities. This fails the people of the province, it fails our doctors and nurses, and it jeopardises the lives and livelihoods of all.”
We look forward to receiving details of the Budget for the 2021/22 Financial Year next week, and further provision of how the province will continue to save lives, improve dignity and wellbeing, and bolster support to job-generating industries in the safest possible ways.
