Times Of Swaziland: GAPS IN COVID-19 THIRD WAVE PREPAREDNESS REVEALED

GAPS IN COVID-19 THIRD WAVE PREPAREDNESS REVEALED
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BY NTOMBI MHLONGO on 21/06/2021 08:43:00


MBABANE - While government has affirmed that it is on high alert for the
projected COVID-19 third wave, there are, however, significant gaps in terms of
preparedness.
The gaps are contained in a ministerial report tabled by Minister of Health
Lizzie Nkosi at Senate last week. Minister Nkosi prepared the report following a
motion that was moved by senators who called for her to submit an extensive
report detailing the measures that the ministry had put in place, or will put in
place, to avert or minimise the adverse effects of the projected third wave. The
gaps are highlighted under the topic ‘Current situation and third wave
preparation’. Under the topic of detecting and testing of suspected cases, a
crucial exercise mentioned was the daily screening in schools where the ongoing
activity was said to be compliance monitoring by the schools health teams. The
gap noted was that there was no clear monitoring structure at the Ministry of
Education and Training.
Variants
The minister also listed the exercise of detecting of new variants of concern
through genomic sequencing samples sent to the National Institute for
Communicable Diseases (NICD) every month. She said the ongoing activity was the
establishment of local genomic sequencing through procurement of the reagents.
The gap noted was that there was lack of reagents for genomic sequencing for
COVID-19. On the part of investigating and tracing contacts, while the minister
stated that 64 registered respiratory therapists (RRT) members were doing the
task at hand and 20 additional ones were to be hired, a gap was noted in that
support by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for vehicles for surge staff had
expired.
The minister mentioned in the report that the ministry was still to confirm
funding from the World Bank and the amount. In terms of reducing
COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality, the ministry outlined the current
situation in terms of quarantine and support contacts. “Contacts who test
negative are being advised to self-quarantine and visitors are advised to do so
at a hotel of choice,” it was stated in the report. The gap noted in the
report was the issue of personal funding for the hotels and lodges. Another
critical aspect contained in the report was that of early diagnosis and care. It
was stated that testing sites also provided initiation of treatment and early
diagnosis of breathing problems. It was also mentioned that additional clinics
were being prepared for testing and treatment initiation.
However, a serious gap was noted in that there were weak systems for ensuring
quick reporting of negative rapid diagnostic test (RDT) results. The minister
also mentioned a positive in the form of a reduced turn-around time for results
through deployment of RDTs to primary care facilities.