Mkhize hits back at Prof Gray over coronavirus remarks
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has rubbished claims by the head of the Medical Research Council Professor Glenda Gray around government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gray was quoted last week as saying government's response to the pandemic is not based on science.
She further said: "Its almost as if someone is sucking regulations out of their thumb."
Gray, who also sits in the ministerial advisory committee (MAC), said government has failed to implement the advice given to the ministers.
Mkhize dismissed the remarks in a statement released on Wednesday evening.
The minister says the advisory committee on Covid-19 had provided the Ministry of Health with 50 advisories, which have all been accepted.
"These advisories have also been included in presentations to various stakeholders and more importantly, the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), chaired by President Ramaphosa. Throughout this period, the NCCC has welcomed these presentations.
"In fact, the president has consistently acknowledged and commended the scientific data made available by the Department of Health through the MAC," says Mkhize.
Mkhize also accuses Gray of making false claims with her remarks that there are more children with malnutrition at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital since the pandemic.
"There has been a reduction in the number of cases of malnutrition that have been seen at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and the total admissions during the month of March and April 2020, when compared to the previous four years."
On claims by Gray that "someone is sucking regulations out of their thumb", the minister says several government structures have taken into account various issues, including scientific and socio-economic factors.
"The comment that government thumb sucks its decisions not only undermines the joint work and effort that the NCCC, cabinet and government as a whole have been engaged in.
"But it is also unprofessional and unbecoming conduct from a member of the MAC who has direct access to the Ministry and the Department. In my view, it undermines and brings into disrepute the institution that Prof. Gray works for which is an entity of the Department of Health, the MRC."
Read the full statement below:
Mkhize hits back at Prof Gr... by Jacaranda FM News on Scribd