Health system ‘cannot be clogged by people who are bleeding’, says Mkhize
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the country cannot afford for its hospital trauma units to be filled up by people suffering from alcohol-related injuries.
Mkhize was speaking during a visit to the Dr George Mukhari Hospital in Tshwane on Tuesday.
Mkhize told reporters that the healthcare system “cannot be clogged by people who are bleeding” as a result of alcohol.
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“This is because of the pressure on trauma units. Your theatres and trauma units should not be clogged by people who are bleeding.. Right now we think that will help in stabilising the numbers. The introduction of the ban in the previous situation actually helped us reduce the numbers but a month after the ban was lifted, the numbers moved up 40 to 50%. We can’t afford that, we need all the beds.”
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new ban on the sale of alcohol as part of measures to try and curb the spread of coronavirus.
The decision comes as the country approaches its Covid-19 peak.
It’s estimated that by the end of the year 40 000 to 50 000 people would have succumbed to Covid-related illnesses.