Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has called for stronger partnership between the government, private sector including major sports coordinating bodies to ramp up Covid-19 vaccination in the country. Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. File picture.
DURBAN - Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has called for a stronger partnership between the government, private sector including major sports coordinating bodies to ramp up Covid-19 vaccinations in the country.
Dhlomo made the call during the intergovernmental vaccination rollout programme led by the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, and Free State Provincial Government in partnership with the professional rugby team the Cheetahs in Mangaung, on Monday.
Dhlomo said he was encouraged by the turnout of people who included members of the rugby club, players and fans who displayed a high level of vaccine acceptance when they vaccinated in numbers.
“I call for this kind of partnership to be extended to other sporting codes such as soccer and cricket, which can be the starting point for fans to return to stadia and watch their beloved clubs.
“Of course, we are not yet there but this significant milestone by the Free State Government and Cheetahs today, which if it is rolled out across the country involving other sporting codes like soccer, cricket will go a long way towards improving the statistics of vaccinations to reach our targets as the country”, said Dhlomo.
The deputy minister also appealed to the rugby players to use their influence to encourage their fans to follow their example which will ensure they have an uninterrupted season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
THE MERCURY
Related Topics: