'Patients must never delay seeking medical attention for fear of contracting Covid-19 at facilities.'
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize can be seen during a press briefing on updates on the coronavirus in South Africa at the Civitas building is Pretoria CBD, 9 March 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles
Alcohol-related trauma was the reason for the strain on the health system, according to the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, who briefed the media on Monday on the lockdown regulations announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mkhize, who quoted a study by the director of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council, Professor Charles Parry, and others, said that during Levels 4 and 5 of the lockdown there was a 60 to 70% reduction in trauma admissions.
Mkhize further explained that liquor is a big factor in the number of people admitted to hospital for vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds and stab wounds. He added: “At a time like this, when every bed, every healthcare worker, every ounce of oxygen is needed, it would be unforgivable to identify a clear burden on the healthcare system and do nothing about it.”The minister added that the health system is also still managing the burden of other diseases, including HIV, TB, cancer, hypertension and diabetes.
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