PASSOP Watch

This past week I spent many hours in the early mornings at the refugee centre. I was, again, reminded many immigrants are ill and in need of medical care. And Zimbabweans do not know their rights in this regard.   

I had to take people to the clinic for ARV treatment and to hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Those who were ill were under the impression that they needed their documents to receive treatment. This is in fact is incorrect, I  have a copy of a letter from the health department stating that all people with or without documentation are entitled to ARVs, TB treatment and all urgent medical attention. (See photo).

This message, however, is not relayed to people and often they are too scared to go to clinics for treatment. Unfortunately, there are certain clinics and hospitals that turn away people by demanding documentation. This is unlawful. This week one man, who had been on treatment for more than two years, had run out and been denied the ARVs by Tygerburg hospital (Cape Town).

Let me spell it out for our readers. All people in South Africa with or without ‘papers’ are entitled to urgent medical treatment, the same service that South Africans enjoy. This includes ARVs. Urgent medical treatment is free for those who do not have any money.

If you have been denied ARVs or urgent medical treatment in South Africa please contact us so we can advise you and so we can document it. Contact-0761011324

We are very grateful for the opportunity to publish this in The Zimbabwean, which has committed to giving all un-sold copies to us in Cape Town for distribution through our township structures and in the queues at the refugee reception centre. I have to thank the newspaper and all advertisers and paying readers for this community empowerment initiative.  

This is Zimbabwean community support. People love reading this paper but do not have money to buy it and now, most importantly, we have this opportunity to inform this vulnerable population of their rights. I realise to some readers this article may seem boring, but I stress the importance of such information being relayed.