Early in the COVID-19 pandemic WHO’s @DrTedros highlighted the problems of access to health services by millions of people living with NCDs+ in his tweet. His tweet certainly mirrors what the SA NCDs Alliance and our allies have been saying since 2007 when the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held its first public hearings into the right access to health services.
COVID-19 changed the parameters of vulnerability to include NCDs+, mental health, and reemphasised disability in all its shapes and forms.
SAHRC report 2007
15 years ago the primary focus was understandably on access to HIV/AIDS and TB services. It was the height of the communicable disease epidemic. And amidst our homegrown “AIDS-denialism”. It was also the midpoint of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) where vast amounts of funding were channelled into communicable diseases and maternal-child services. That pattern of expenditure and funding remains in place today.
Executive summary
The report’s executive summary is salutary: it fits today’s health service access issues in the COVID-19 pandemic. Just substitute NCDs+ for communicable diseases. And, we have a similar complaint today.
The report’s opening quote is ironically, but not surprisingly, from The AIDS Law Project, the early version of Section 27:
“We don’t yet have a definition of essential health services. This means we don’t have a base line for the right to health and it is impossible to cost the health service and thereby determine objectively what can be
afforded.”
We still don’t have the definition. But HIV unlike NCDs+ is a National Development Plan priority. As for the rest of the conclusions, they mostly are unmet PLWNCDs+ The main change to health services is that HIV/TB services dominate primary health care. We beg for evidence-based inclusion of NCDs + throughout the life-course. And, more not just a tack on to HIV, TB and STI services.
That is why we fight on. Read the SAHRC 2007 report on access to health services SAHRC 2007Health Report
The NDoH official policy communication on vaccination 5 July outlines how the adjusted vaccination rollout. It differs from the original PHASE 2 rollout hence the use of “adapted.” It is not explicitly linked to phase 2 but it is hard to see where else it fits. Missing are those with comorbidities like NCDs, including diabetes and cancer.
1.4 Every vaccination site (public or private) must have a pro-active plan for managing walkins for vaccination.
Age group (+40) and congregate responsibilities government supported by private ;
Essential workers according to government sector “vertical” rollout
Workers by priority “economic” sector (mining, automotive industry, taxi operators) rollout via companies. Not clear if limited to the above sectors.
A general caveat about using EVDS to register all who are vaccinated.
NDoH & provincial DOH (PDoH) collaboration with private sector responsibilities
1.1 Vaccination registration & administration by age groups (5 subpoints around EVDS and reimbursement). 1.2 Working group 1: capacity analysis including underserved areas for the attention of PDoH, presumably with the prospect of solving problems (members NDoH/Business for SA). 1.3 Working group 2: NDoH equity monitor of demand in districts/municipalities to resolve coverage issues & look at rollout to 40+. 1.4 Walkins are OK & every vaccination site (public or private) must have a pro-active plan for walkins. (6 subpoints) 1.5 Congregate settings: homes for people with disabilities, old age homes and later on prisons (correctional facilities) remains PDoH / privates sector responsibility.
2 Roll-out of essential worker programme public sector
2.1 “Vertical” rollout with key government “sector” “projects” departments (9 subgroups) 2.2 PDoH not responsible for the above except “DBE project and around 220,000 people from 6 categories. 2.3 Vaccination of remaining health care workers (HCWs) according to V4HCW registration site and these also include “private employers.” (5 items) 2.4 Police (SAPS) is managing its own vaccination project. 2.5 Department of Defence and Military Veterans for the SANDF programme due to start on 8 July. 2.6 A number of government services still to be finalisied e.g. correctional services vaccination.
3 Prioritised sectors of the economy
3.1 President listed these previously mining, automotive manufacturing and taxi operators. 3.2 Many private sector companies have started vaccination of employees and contract workers. 3.3 Companies using in-house or outsourced health services.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
4 EVDS-related issues
Four caveats about the importance of registering via EVDS in all circumstances.
On 20 July 2021, the SA NCDs Alliance is co-hosting and coordinating a people’s consultation on universal health coverage (UHC). This is especially for you if you use government health services.
The South African version of UHC is called “national health insurance” or NHI. But are we talking about the same thing? There are some big differences. What do you think?
The event is a virtual focus group lasting 2 hours with 30 participants. You can only participate if you apply. We want to hear your voice especially if you are part of a vulnerable or hard-to-reach group that uses public or government health services. So you need to complete that application form and showing us why your participation is important.
People who are left behind or have trouble having their health needs met before or during COVID-19?
Civil society participants, breakout group facilitators or note-takers.
We want to make sure that we hear from you, the people, and especially if you are in that “seldom heard” and vulnerable group. We can help a few selected participants with data package to participate on the day.
The South African Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (SANCDA) will host the 3rd Happy Hour Xchange on Thursday, 22 April 2021 at 18:00 focussing on ‘Disability, Down Syndrome and COVID-19.
Join Dr Vicki for her Xchange with Ancella Ramjas (National Executive Director: Down Syndrome SA) for part 1: Downright disastrous COVID-19 response for persons with Down Syndrome? And part 2: Missing the point of vaccinations.
Registration for the NCD Happy Hour Xchange is essential. Limited space is available.
People living with NCDs are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill if they contract COVID-19. NCDs are underlying health conditions that require you to take special care: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity, dementia, kidney disease and cancer.
NCDs and other chronic conditions can make the immune system slow down and making it easier to get an infection like COVID-19. So, we want to keep you healthy.
The SANCDA, founded in 2013, brings together trusted South African organisations and together we have 200 years of service for people living with NCDs. We work with civil society organisations and individuals to focus on NCDs policy and implementation in South Africa. We want public policy that is transparent and responsive to all of our health needs and the conditions we face. Our partners support the upfront disclosure and transparency of funding arrangements for stakeholders and partners. Our funding is received from philanthropic groups and supported by the global NCD Alliance.
NCDs Happy Hour Xchange is funded by a NCD Alliance’s 2020 Act on NCDs Campaign Fuel Award, part of NCD Alliance’s partnership with Access Accelerated.
If you missed the SANCD Alliance Second Happy Hour Xchange last night, you can watch it on the below link. In this Happy Hour Xchange Dr Vicki Pinkney-Atkinson discussed with Dr Waassila Jassat about COVID-19 in South Africa and NCDs – surfing for survival and surfing the waves, including the 3rd wave expected from the end of April.
Dr Waasila is a Public Health Specialist with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases– NICD).
In part 2, Dr Murray Dryden from NICD discusses long COVID-19 in South Africa, including how it differs from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
A Must watch for anyone living with a Non Communicable disease and worried about COVID-19.
The event was proudly managed byEP Digital South Africa
The South African Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (SANCDA) will host the 2nd Happy Hour Xchange on Thursday, 8 April 2021 at 18:00.
Dr Vicki will be Xchanging with Dr Waasila Jassat about COVID-19 in South Africa and NCDs – surfing for survival and surfing the waves, including the 3rd wave expected from the end of April. Dr Waasila is a Public Health Specialist (National Institute for Communicable Diseases – NICD).
In part 2, Dr Murray Dryden and Caroline Mudara from NICD are discussing long COVID-19 in South Africa, including how it differs from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
People living with NCDs are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill if they contract COVID-19. NCDs are underlying health conditions that require you to take special care: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, dementia, kidney disease and cancer.
NCDs and other chronic conditions can make the immune system slow down and making it easier to get an infection like COVID-19. So, we want to keep you healthy.
If you missed our first Happy Hour Xchange:
About NCDs Happy Hour Xchange
Happy Hour Xchange is a series of knowledge Xpanding events informing and inspiring NCDs+ civil society organisations and activists to engage on diverse policy issues. Xperts Xchange key emerging facts and unknowns with us in an open and frank discussion via Zoom. Our aim is to Xpand the NCDs+ policy dialogue through engagement and co-production.
Tone: Mutually respectful, interactive, inquisitive and informal.
Frequency: Weekly or biweekly Thursdays for 1 hour between 18:00-19:00 SAST.
Format: A modern-day seminar. Xpert, NAG selected chair,
Part 1: Xpert – 15 minutes and Questions 15 minutes
Part 2: Xpert – 15 minutes and Questions 15 minutes
Platform: Virtual meeting via Zoom a NAG chair and Xpert guest
Questions can be submitted before and during a session.
Cobranding with other organisations is possible.
Contact Dr Vicki Pinkney-Atkinson, Director of SANCDA on 083 383 8159 or email: [email protected] for more information.
os highlighted the problems of access to health services by millions of people living with NCDs+ in his tweet. His tweet certainly mirrors what the SA NCDs Alliance and our allies have been saying since 2007 when the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held its first public hearings into the right access to health services.
People living with NCDs are at a higher risk of becoming severely ill if they contract COVID-19. NCDs are underlying health conditions that require you to take special care: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity, dementia, kidney disease and cancer.