SAMA Welcomes Lifting of National State of Disaster

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) welcomes the lifting of the National State of Disaster (NSD) by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a positive step for South Africa and the correct move forward for the country’s beleaguered economy. The NSD was instituted 750 days ago on the 15th March 2020.

Considering the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, ending the NSD is the appropriate step in government’s response to the pandemic. SAMA supports the decision in the same way that it supported the decision to institute the NSD as a means to deal with the impact of COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic.

Over the past two years, hospitals have been confronted with serious resource challenges, including human resources. Nevertheless, healthcare workers have contributed immensely, often at huge personal expense, to caring for patients. Whilst the NSD has now ended, the President announced several transitional measures for the next 30 days. These include the compulsory wearing of facemasks indoors, restrictions on the number of people at gatherings, and provisions relating to international travellers. SAMA supports these transitional restrictions. Furthermore, SAMA underscores that intensive campaigning for more people to vaccinate against COVID-19 needs to continue unabated despite the NSD being lifted.

The Association stresses that the medical profession has learnt many invaluable lessons during the pandemic that must inform public health in South Africa into the future. SAMA will therefore make a submission on the draft new Health Regulations before 16 April, with a view to strengthening government’s response to public health challenges and, ultimately, improving patient care throughout the country.

-ENDS-

Flu jab has seasonal heart benefits and cuts pneumonia by 42%

People with heart failure who received an annual influenza vaccine had a reduction in major cardiovascular events during peak influenza season but not year-round, found the 10-country IVVE trial presented at the American College of Cardiology annual scientific session. Rates of pneumonia and subsequent hospitalisations were 42% and 15% lower. However, taken together, “it speaks to the importance of vaccinating patients with HF against influenza,” said lead author Dr Mark Loeb.

Limpopo health fiasco: Health workers rest hopes on SIU

While the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) prepares to probe the ongoing Limpopo Department of Health fiasco, healthcare workers have hung out even more dirty washing, describing their inhumane working conditions. They are faced with several hurdles daily including overcrowding, staff shortages, poor hygiene and crumbling infrastructure. Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa gave the SIU the green light to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration within the provincial health department.

World Health Day: Focus on healthy humans, planet

As the globe marks World Health Day today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that urgent action is needed to keep humans and the planet healthy. It is estimated that more than 13 millions deaths globally each year are due to avoidable environmental causes, which include climate change and air pollution. In light of this, the theme for this year’s World Health Day is “Our Planet, Our Health”.

The South African Medical Association - Postal Address-The South African Medical Association P O Box 74789,Lynnwood Ridge Pretoria 0040, South Africa
Physical address The South African Medical Association, Block F Castle Walk Corporate Park Nossob Street Erasmuskloof Ext3 Pretoria 0181, South Africa www.samedical.org

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