14 Dec 2021

COVID-19 vaccination roll out is progressing well in Kgalagadi District despite resource constraints, says council chairperson, Mr Hendrick Jacobs.

When addressing a full council session on Monday Mr Jacobs said the District Health Management Team (DHMT) continued to focus on community vaccination, targeting persons aged 18 years and above.

By 30th November 2021, the district had fully vaccinated 27 668 people, which translated to 77 per cent of the targeted population, he said.

Breaking down the figures, Mr Jacobs said Kgalagadi South had fully vaccinated 77.3 per cent which translated to 16 085 people of the targeted population of 20 817; Kgalagadi North had fully vaccinated a total of 11 583 people against the target population of 15 226 people which translated to a COVID-19 vaccine coverage rate of 76 per cent.

He emphasised that it was important for people to come forth to vaccinate for the reason that vaccines reduced chances of severe disease attack and reduced mortalities.

Generally, Mr Jacobs noted, COVID-19 positive cases had reduced in the district with a few cases being recorded in schools, where Bokspits was currently having the highest number of cases in the district.

Meanwhile, the DHMT closely monitored the trends especially that the fourth wave was anticipated.

He added that preparations were underway in anticipation of the fourth wave of COVID-19.

These included maintenance of Tsabong isolation facility as there was a possibility of case increase in Kgalagadi South.

The council chairperson highlighted that the Ministry of Health and Wellness had come up with a home-based care isolation strategy that would improve monitoring, case management and infection prevention practices in a home setting to reduce congestion at health facilities.

He expressed concern that DHMT continued to have low vital drug stock levels, which were at 75.5 per cent; essential drugs at 71per cent, while necessary drugs were at 63 per cent giving a 72 per cent overall drug availability.

As for the clinics, the vital drug stock levels stood at 87.5 per cent; essential drugs were at 85.5 per cent, while necessary drugs were at 70 per cent providing 82.9 overall drug availability.

Meanwhile, drug stock levels at health posts stood at 84.8 per cent for vital medicines; 81.6 per cent, essential, while necessary drugs were at 60.5 per cent, which brought the overall stock to 78.3 per cent, he noted.

The chairperson called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to pull together, exude passion and be in the forefront as solution providers for the reason that Kgalagadi District was unique with its own perculiar challenges. Ends