Process to choose Covid-19 testing sites brought into question
People’s comments and analyses of the selection of the sites suggest authorities chose to have almost all the testing sites in certain townships and deliberately excluded certain areas.
Testing sites for the coronavirus in Ekurhuleni have been identified, but the locations of the sites have made some people question the fairness of the decision-making process.
A total of 20 medical centres have been identified, but many people have noticed that in the allocation of these services, some communities were excluded.
Residents of Boksburg feel they were excluded because none of the six public clinics or the state-owned hospital was identified as a testing site for Covid-19. These public health facilities serve thousands of people from all different walks of life, from the informal settlements, townships and some of the suburbs.
People’s comments and analyses of the selection of the sites suggest authorities chose to have almost all the testing sites in certain townships and deliberately excluded certain areas.
Among those who are deeply sceptical about the criteria and process used to choose the locations is Ward 32 councillor Marius de Vos, who demanded to know whether it was fair to have almost all the testing sites in certain townships and exclude certain communities who are also taxpayers.
“It is an established fact that Covid-19 does not discriminate in any form or shape, but the allocation of the majority testing sites to townships is a clear sign of political bias.
“The skewed allocation of testing and screening sites will create logistical challenges in respect of movement of people to those facilities should the need arise.
“Boksburg town and surrounding suburbs are abuzz with people and should have been allocated a testing site to eliminate travelling of the less fortunate in public transport to these far-flung testing sites.
“As ward councillor, I have requested Member of Parliament Hassina Ismail, who serves on the health portfolio committee, to engage Minister Zweli Mkhize to allocate a testing site to Boksburg as we have no less than five clinics in wards 31, 32, 34, 22 and the Tambo Memorial Hospital.
“In addition to these state-run clinics and hospital, we also have Sunward Park private hospital. All these facilities are well equipped, staffed and in walking distance to all communities, including the informal settlements.
“As rates and taxpayers, Boksburg communities deserve to have a testing site closest to them,” de Vos said.
The metro has not yet responded to our email seeking an explanation for the reasoning behind the decision to have almost all of the sites in the townships, the factors which were taken into account in the decision-making, and whether residents of all the different communities in Boksburg are expected to travel to the chosen townships to get tested for Covid-19.
Also Read: Covid-19: Ekurhuleni testing sites announced
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