Question NW1565 to the Minister of Health

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12 May 2022 - NW1565

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

What package of health interventions has he put in place to deal with the crisis caused by floods in KwaZulu-Natal?

Reply:

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health treated 529 patients at our health facilities for flood-related incidents with 17 deaths reported during the acute phase of the flood disaster. There were no major disruptions to rendering of health care services in the affected health districts.

An additional 7 sessional pathologists were brought in to expedite the postmortems. A total of 429 post mortems were conducted, of which, 399 bodies have been identified by families.

Health care services continue to be rendered to 1 749 clients from displaced communities that are currently sheltered in community halls. This also includes ensuring dispensing of chronic medication.

Environment Health is monitoring water quality in eThekwini Municipality and Ugu District Municipality. Where water quality issues have been picked up in tanked water and Jojo tanks, these have been escalated to the relevant authorities. Health and hygiene education on small-scale water purification methods i.e., use of Jik and chlorine sachets by households is ongoing. Health awareness on Waterborne illnesses, Waste Management & COVID 19 Protocols is ongoing. Awareness on foodborne illnesses on soup kitchens and distribution centres has also been raised. Communicable Disease Control monitoring for water borne diseases is ongoing.

Water tankers were used and still continue to be used supply water to hospitals and clinics without piped water.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has identified at least 87 projects at health facilities related to the flood damages at an estimated cost of R258 million and is currently addressing these together with the Department of Public Works.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, together with the National Department of Health, continue to monitor the situation and are addressing the challenges accordingly.

END.

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