By: Lunga Memela (Communications Engagement Lead)
Economists have been hard at work, crunching numbers to establish the value of looted goods as well as the cumulative cost of the overall damage caused by the recent civil unrest that broke out in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng (GP) provinces early in July.
It did not help that these incidents – which include arson – took place during the country's ongoing third wave of COVID-19. This meant that the looting and vandalising of pharmacies and other health facilities, together with the obstruction of national and domestic roads, would hinder not only adherence to health protocols such as practising social distancing and the wearing of face masks, but also impact the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive and limit direct access and adequate delivery of healthcare services and treatment to patients who need them most, especially those on chronic medication.
The National Department of Health (NDoH) confirmed that approximately 300 000 patients were impacted as a result of their chronic medication pick up points (PUPs) being closed due to the civil unrest across the country. The NDoH-led CCMDD (Central Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution) Programme – also known as Dablapmeds – put out a call that is supported nationally by the Heath Systems Trust (HST) to encourage patients to 'return to care' following the civil unrest. CCMDD enables patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, asthma and epilepsy to collect their medication at convenient locations in their communities.
CCMDD's Provincial Co-ordinator for KZN, Roma Ramphal, encourages those with chronic conditions to request a CCMDD registration at any public health facility. For patients who were once a part of the programme and have been deactivated because of travelling to other districts or provinces, the programme requires the patient to return and convenient alternative PUPs will be offered.
Ramphal said the protest action has impacted those who were due for viral load blood tests, those patients due for a CCMDD clinical review as well as those patients who were due to collect at PUPs during the week of the unrest. "KZN has lost pick up points that will need time to rebuild. In the interim, there are contingency plans for patients on CCMDD that have been affected."
Ramphal emphasised that patients should check their SMSs and ensure that their contact details are captured correctly upon registration. Communication via SMS has been sent to affected patients whose parcels have been rerouted close to their original pick up point. Ramphal stressed that patients should never miss a day of chronic medicines and can return to the health facility for medicines at any time and choose a new pick up point.
Patients enrolled on the CCMDD programme may contact the Pharmacy Direct Toll Free call centre on 0800 21 23 50 (KZN only) if they require information on whether the PUPs are operating following the civil unrest or where their parcels have been rerouted to.
Some additional advice to encourage patients to take charge of their health and wellness:
- Visit your nearest public health facility for a full health screening.
- Ensure you are maintaining COVID-19 protocols when accessing healthcare facilities and pick up points.
- As a CCMDD patient, you can call the Pharmacy Direct Call Centre to update your cellphone number.
- Should you have missed your viral load blood test – ensure it is completed. Demand it at your next visit!
- Visit the CCMDD webpage and Get Checked. Go Collect. Facebook page for regular updates.
- Content will be updated on the website so that we can more easily create direction.
In line with its vision for improved health equity in a healthier Africa, HST remains committed to making the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 – which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages – a reality.