DR SEITHATI M. MOTEBANG
Like the rest of the world, South Africa has learned to live with COVID-19 pandemic for more than 18 months. The panic and misery that was caused by the hospitalizations and many deaths that followed is something that is almost reminiscent of the past four decades since the onset of the discovery of the HIV. As with the HIV and AIDS virus, the discovery and administration of drugs to fight COVID-19 has highlighted the glaring disparities that are prevalent globally and nationally when it comes to acquisition of health care knowledge and services. The Developing countries were the first to receive vast amounts of dosages for various vaccines and they immediately started massive vaccination roll-out. In June 2021 the United States of America had reached 50% coverage while countries like India and Brazil were still going through their worst infection rates of tens of thousands of people a day. South Africa embarked on the vaccination drive in February 2021 with a three phased target of first, 1.25 million healthcare workers, followed by the over 60s (and person of 18 and above with co-morbidities [1] ) and last, anyone over 18.
A few issues are worth noting about COVID vaccination roll-out: Continue reading “COVID-HIV-INEQUALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA”