The SA Medical Association has raised some concern over the disbandment of government’s chief scientific advisory committee on COVID-19.
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has effectively disbanded the committee that was established during the outbreak of the coronavirus in April to advise the minister.
Earlier this month, Mkhize stated his intention to reconfigure the committee.
He also appointed another committee last week that will focus on vaccines for the coronavirus.
In the video below, Mkhize disbands the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19:
Chairperson of the SA Medical Association, Dr Angelique Coetzee, says although they respect Mkhize’s decision, the minister should not exclude scientific input.
“We should not disregard the scientific input of the scientists. It’s his prerogative what he wants to do, I would have just done it a bit differently because there is still unfinished reports that need to go in. We never know what the politics behind everything is and maybe the minister will get a committee that is in favour and say more things that are appreciated at government level.
I think if you want to have a good committee you need to get a committee that has got very strong views and not afraid to criticise.”
In the video below, Mkhize gives an update on coronavirus in South Africa:
