BY ERIC MATOME KGOMO
Bokenhouthoek: A Non-government Organization (NGO) is going to court to force the Mpumalanga Department of Health to appoint Community Healthcare Workers (CHW) in a Covid-19 screening programme.
Earlier last year, five CHWs form the Isibusiso Home Based Care in Bokenhouthoek, Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, were absorbed by the Health Department in a Covid-19 programme, which was set to conduct Covid-19 screening in Bokenhouthoek, Bundu, Machipe and Vlaklaagte Number 2. The programme was since suspended by the Health Department later in 2020. The affected villagers never had any Covid-19 screening since, despite a full budget being allocated for the job.
Isibusiso Home Based Care Manager, Thamsanqa Mahlangu, told Timeless News that they are going to the constitutional court to seek a landmark ruling to hold the Health Department accountable for failures in carrying out their responsibilities. “The programme is suspended simply because some of the individuals within the department have conflict of interests. They want to appoint their friends and families, which is not happening because we have been fighting it all along,” he said. Mahlangu informed that on Tuesday 2 June, the department sent a letter, stating that the appointing process will be reviewed and new applications will be considered. “How can the process be reviewed while there are those who applied and met all the requirements? It is essential that government officials who are entrusted with such positions and responsibilities for those most vulnerable in our society be required to face the court if they fail to exercise their responsibilities,” he said. Mahlangu indicated that they will be demanding the court to order the Health Department, to reappoint the five qualified CHWs who are currently serving at Isibusiso Home Based Care to conduct Covid-19 screening with immediate effect. “We are in the third wave of Covid-19 and no screenings were conducted in the affected villages. We also view this a violation of rights of the citizens in the affected villages,” he said. Mpumalanga Department of Health Spokesperson, Dumisani Malamule, said they are investigating the matter and will respond as soon as the investigation is completed.
