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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 1050
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 22 August 2014
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2014
Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Has his department put any measures in place to ensure that staff
members at our border posts are (a) aware of the potential spread of the
ebola virus and (b) equipped to deal with a possible ebola carrier
attempting to enter the country;
(2) Has his department had any engagement with the Department of Health
on the issue of ebola carriers at our border posts; if not, why not; if so,
what was the outcome of the engagement? NW1206E
REPLY:
(1)(a-b) The Department of Home Affairs has done an analysis on the ports
of entry commonly used by nationals from the identified countries. An
operational directive was developed in consultation with the Department of
Health and will be implemented in cooperation with all border and ports of
entry stakeholders. Protective materials such as latex gloves are being
procured by all identified ports for the protection of frontline staff.
(2) The Departments of Health and Home Affairs held a meeting on Friday, 22
August 2014 to discuss the implementation of Cabinetâs decision after it
received a briefing on developments around ebola and interventions made by
South Africa. During the meeting it was agreed that the Department of
Health would provide appropriate resources and training on the ebola virus
at identified ports of entry. The Department of Health would also develop
and administer a health questionnaire at identified ports to ensure that
information pertaining to any possible ebola virus cases are recorded and
managed.