COVID-19 “adjusted” Phase 2 vaccine rollout 5 July 2021

COVID-19 “adjusted” Phase 2 vaccine rollout 5 July 2021

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.
  1. 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.

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.

NW Health notes verdict on suspended HOD

Wednesday 14 November, 2018
The North West Department of Health has noted the arbitration court’s decision for Head of Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala, to be reinstated.

“The department has noted the arbitration verdict concerning the suspension of Dr Thabo Lekalakala. It is important to remind the public that Dr Lekalakala was suspended following allegations of procurement irregularities, which affected a number of contracts,” said the provincial department on Tuesday.

Lekalakala, who was placed on suspension in April, is expected to be back in the office on Monday.

On Tuesday, the department said the contracts in question have since become a matter of forensic investigation.

“There are two issues which are to be considered in this matter. Firstly, the suspension of Dr Lekalakala and secondly, the disciplinary actions which the department has already instituted against Dr Lekalakala.

“Dr Lekalakala was placed on special leave owing to the fact that allegations against him were being investigated. The arbitration verdict, which instructs the department to reinstate Dr Lekalakala, is only concerned with the merits of this special leave,” said departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane.

Lekgethwane said the verdict does not deal with the investigations and disciplinary actions.

Meanwhile, the department confirmed that disciplinary action against Dr Lekalakala is continuing, with a disciplinary committee already pursing the matter.

“Specifically on the special leave matter, the department is still studying the verdict and applying its mind on the way-forward. The department appeals to members of the public and public servants to allow the law to take its course,” Lekgethwane said.

NW Health notes verdict on suspended HOD

Wednesday 14 November, 2018
The North West Department of Health has noted the arbitration court’s decision for Head of Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala, to be reinstated.

“The department has noted the arbitration verdict concerning the suspension of Dr Thabo Lekalakala. It is important to remind the public that Dr Lekalakala was suspended following allegations of procurement irregularities, which affected a number of contracts,” said the provincial department on Tuesday.

Lekalakala, who was placed on suspension in April, is expected to be back in the office on Monday.

On Tuesday, the department said the contracts in question have since become a matter of forensic investigation.

“There are two issues which are to be considered in this matter. Firstly, the suspension of Dr Lekalakala and secondly, the disciplinary actions which the department has already instituted against Dr Lekalakala.

“Dr Lekalakala was placed on special leave owing to the fact that allegations against him were being investigated. The arbitration verdict, which instructs the department to reinstate Dr Lekalakala, is only concerned with the merits of this special leave,” said departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane.

Lekgethwane said the verdict does not deal with the investigations and disciplinary actions.

Meanwhile, the department confirmed that disciplinary action against Dr Lekalakala is continuing, with a disciplinary committee already pursing the matter.

“Specifically on the special leave matter, the department is still studying the verdict and applying its mind on the way-forward. The department appeals to members of the public and public servants to allow the law to take its course,” Lekgethwane said.

Which 3 provinces met cervical cancer screening targets in 2014?

Cervical cancer screening coverage by province

Cervical cancer screening coverage by province

Cancer of the cervix (CaCx) is the only NCDs indicator monitored in the District Health Barometer 2013-2014 due its historical focus on Millennium Development Goals.

  • Cervical cancer (CaCx) is the 2nd most frequent cancer among SA women
  • Most frequent cancer among women between 15-44 years
  • 43 million women aged ≥15 years are at risk
  • 7,735 women are diagnosed with CaCx every year
  • 4, 248 die from CaCx.
  • 21% of women in the general population are estimated to have cervical HPV infection at a given time
  • Over 60% of invasive CaCx are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18.m
  • HPV vaccination of girls before sexual activity is the best primary prevent

It is the nearly 20 million women who are at risk that need the CaCx screening and the ones below are only of women 30 and older. Only screening tests are considered… that is to find those who need further investigation.

  • 1st place: KZN is the best performing province for the second year running.
  • 2nd place:  North West improved increased its performance by 13.1%
  • 3rd place: Western Cape