Question NW1136 to the Minister of Health
07 July 2020 - NW1136
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What measures has his department put in place to make quarantine facilities that he has earmarked for persons with Covid-19 infections fully compliant and ready to serve their purpose; (2) whether the specified quarantine facilities are equipped with (a) sufficient water, (b) electricity, (c) clean beds and bedding and (d) food; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the necessary inspections have been conducted to confirm that the quarantine facilities meet the minimum requirements of a quarantine facility; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) what is the total number of quarantine facilities earmarked for persons with Covid-19 infections and (b) where is each such facility located; (5) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) The process for assessing and preparing quarantine facilities is properly defined in the approved Guidelines for Quarantine and Isolation Facilities. This process entails the identification of possible sites, the assessment thereof and the operationalisation of said sites. Apart from that, there are also a few state-owned facilities that were earmarked and prepared. This entailed basic maintenance to the sites, procurement of beds, linen and kitchen equipment and then the operationalisation of these sites again with staff, catering where necessary, PPE and medical waste management services;
(2) Yes. Sufficient water, electricity, clean beds, bedding and food is a prerequisite for a quarantine facility. Prior to activation, sites are inspected specifically related to the above and a list of criteria as contained in the approved guidelines. Where facilities were found to not comply to these requirements, they are decommissioned and will not be utilised again.
(3) Yes. Various inspections are done. There is the initial assessment to determine if a facility would meet the requirements as per the guidelines provided. All facilities need to be assessed for suitability. These assessments are done either by the National Department of Health, National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure or their provincial counterparts.
Once activated, there is a quality assessment that is done to determine if the operational side is in place and that subsequent infection control protocols are followed. This is a relatively new function and they are only now engaging in doing these on-site audits.
Where complaints have been received, various teams have been sent to these facilities and report on the status of these that were assessed.
(4) (a) The following quarantine facilities have been activated in the provinces:
|
(b) PROVINCE |
|
NO OF BEDS |
|
Eastern Cape |
19 |
662 |
|
Free State |
5 |
313 |
|
Gauteng |
21 |
6236 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
48 |
1098 |
|
Limpopo |
6 |
313 |
|
Mpumalanga |
6 |
434 |
|
North West |
6 |
188 |
|
Northern Cape |
9 |
497 |
|
Western Cape |
16 |
2537 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
136 |
12278 |
(5) Yes. A statement will be made on the matter as part of media statements to update the country on the outbreak.
END.