MEDIA STATEMENT
Date: 10 December 2020
Embargo: None
Subject: INVITATION TO ATTEND THE HANDING OVER OF THREE MOBILE TESTING UNITS TO THE NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICES
The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) in partnership with ABSA, will hand-over three mobile testing units to the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) on 10 December 2020.
Venue: CEOBoard Room
NHLS Corporate Offices
No 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham
Date: 10 December 2020
Time: 13:00 – 14:00.
The SARCS is an auxiliary organisation to the Government of South Africa, enacted by Act No 10 of 2007 to compliment Government on disaster management, provision of social services and health and care. To this end, the SARCS has procured three mobile testing units with the kind donation from ABSA to assist the NHLS in hot spot areas.
Since the start of the pandemic, the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) has been actively involved in the following activities: screening, contact tracing and testing, risk communication campaigns, hygiene promotions, the provisioning of hot meals and the distribution of food parcels & hygiene packs to the vulnerable groups.
“In order to provide holistic support to Government, the SARCS saw the need to increase Government’s COVID-19 testing capacity, especially now since the Minister of Health confirmed the second wave”, says Ms Mabel Koketso, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the SARCS.
The NHLS will use the mobile testing units to test community members in the hot spot areas across the country. Mobile units used for sampling and testing the individuals presenting symptoms in the identified priority districts. The units ensure that the Government reaches a high number of people that need to be tested. The mobile units can also reach the remote areas in the country that are presenting high cases of COVID-19.
Chairperson of the NHLS Board Prof Eric Buch is delighted by SARCS generosity and support. “On behalf of the NHLS Board and executive, I want to thank you for helping us make a positive difference. Your support encourages our continued commitment in the fight again this pandemic.”
Prof Buch adds that this donation will go a long way in sustaining NHLS efforts to provide services to the less privileged during this greatest time of need. “Our mobile laboratory strategy was put in place to increase the number of samples taken and tested,” says Prof Buch.
The NHLS proactively acquired 60 mobile units, in addition to the seven it already had donated by the Global Fund, to increase accessibility for those who are referred for sampling. As such, 67 mobiles were deployed where the need has been greatest, ensuring that people do not have to travel distances to be sampled.
ENDS
Issued By: The South African Red Cross Society
Enquiries: Mr Fernel Campher
Mobile: 079 895 1994
E-mail: fcampher@redcross.org.za
Web: www.redcross.org.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSARCS
Twitter: @RedcrossSa
Instagram: Southafricanredcross