Government refuses to release Covid-19 advisories and data, while scientists plead for transparency via TheCitizen_News
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize should make the details of more than 70 advisories drafted for the government by the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 public because there is no reason not to do so.
Frustration seems to be building among some MAC members who feel the lack of transparency is complicating the fight against the virus because the public is increasingly questioning the rationale behind regulations. “The MAC advises the minister, not the public. That is the purpose of the MAC. I am of the opinion that MAC advisories flow to the minister who then decides if he accepts the advice or not,” said retired colonel Theo Ligthelm, a former officer in the SA National Defence Force’s Medical Health Services as well as former head of military health operations and consultant in disaster medicine planning.
The head of infectious diseases at Helen Joseph Hospital, Dr Jeremy Nel, also believed the advisories should be available to the public, saying it “would transform the MAC to something closer to an independent scientific advisory body, which would be a welcome change”. Another scientist, who also advises government and who wished to anonymous for fear of reprisal, said many MAC members would like to see this information in the public domain so people could see what was being debated.
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