Parliament, Thursday, 5 March 2020 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said the confirmation of the first case of coronavirus in South Africa should not put the country in a state of panic.
The meeting with the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize yesterday, where he briefed the committee on the state of readiness and response to the outbreak of coronavirus in South Africa, gave an indication that the government will be able to deal with any confirmed cases.
“We welcome the swift action of the Minister to take the country into confidence by briefing the media,” said Dr Dhlomo. In light of the confirmed case, “the department should strengthen its communication in updating South Africans in order to remove panic and anxiety,” added Dr Dhlomo.
The country is now in high alert. Dr Dhlomo said “we shall await the details of the situation as it unfolds, we need to have those who were with the man who is confirmed with the virus during his travel, to have them traced and protocols adhered to”.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8203
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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