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After ignoring HIV and tuberculosis during the Covid pandemic, South Africa will focus back on them

South Africa prioritizes resuming HIV and tuberculosis cases put on hold during the Covid pandemic. Minister of Health Joe Phaahla discusses the importance of catching up on delayed surgeries and health facilities. Learn more about the impact of Covid on healthcare in South Africa.

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South Africa has stated that it will now prioritize resuming HIV and tuberculosis cases that had to be halted during the COVID pandemic.

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South African Minister Of Health Joe Phaahla informed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday that their ministry would prioritize catching up on the many surgeries and health facilities delays caused by multiple focus on treating Covid-19 patients.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases reported 2,970 fresh COVID-19 cases and 31 fatalities last Tuesday.

As we concentrated on the COVID pandemic, we slowed down. We already have agreed with all (state medical ministers) that the point is to incorporate COVID-19 mitigation into our holistic basket of facilities, starting with primary care and working our way up, including the vaccination drive, which must become more integrated into our comprehensive facilities, said Phaahla.

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He stated that the situation now with coronavirus has greatly relieved the tremendous strain placed on frontline medical staff and hospitals, allowing them to return to concerns like getting tuberculosis and HIV patients on appropriate treatment.

According to the minister, South Africa had slipped on UNAIDS targets in this area.

Long surgical waiting lists would be acknowledged, he added.

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We know that many people were scheduled for a variety of surgeries that were postponed for weeks, months, or even years because of the pandemic taking up the majority of our attention in the health centers, said Phaahla.

In trying to explain his department's budget for the new financial year to the NCOP, Phaahla stated that roughly 86% of it will be provided to the 9 state health departments, with the condition that it be used to combat Aids and HIV , STI and TB programmes, noncommunicable diseases, and increase human resource capabilities at clinics and hospitals.

A substantial portion, according to Phaahla, will go toward new facility infrastructure, as well as replacement, maintenance and refurbishment, of health facilities, since quality improvement cannot be discussed without tackling equipment and infrastructure at the health facilities.

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