Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung. Photo: dstv
Watch: Somizi complains about coughing up for COVID-19 test
Private hospitals are charging R1 400 per test and this had the ‘Idols SA’ judge riled up as he got tested for the coronavirus.
Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung. Photo: dstv
Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung revealed to his Instagram followers that he was examined to determine if he had the coronavirus after he experienced a sore chest and coughing.
The choreographer is famous for his posts which cover a variety of personal topics and sometimes touch on global issues.
On Tuesday, he posted a video which had a more serious tone as he openly spoke about how he was not feeling well and had opted to go to the doctor for a check-up.
Coronavirus test ‘inaccessible’ due to cost
To Mhlongo-Motaung’s surprise, the test costs R1 400 which he says makes it inaccessible in the wake of a global crisis.
“I’m at a private hospital to test for the coronavirus and my chest…I am also coughing, so you never know. I ask how much is it? They go for a R1 400, R1 500. That broke my heart because what happens to people who can’t afford it? They go: ‘No, there’s public hospitals’, etc…
“I ask what does this mean for people who can’t access clinics or who can’t afford it?. Why is it expensive to test for something that is an epidemic, it’s a national crisis,” Mhlongo-Motaung further laments in the video.
Somizi: Put measures in place for the poor
He then concludes that more measures need to be put in place to help the poor and those who want to test but may be put off by going to a public hospital due to the slow service.
“I think something needs to be done, even if I can afford it, it’s too much. I think they should start implementing something because it might get worse. Are we ready for it? Shouldn’t there be mobile clinics?”
Panic buying: SA ‘most exaggerated country’
In a second video, the 47-year-old says that he is in the clear for now but he is awaiting further results from his doctor.
He slammed the public for panic buying and says South Africa is the most “exaggerated country”.
“If there was a competition for exaggeration, South Africa would take it without competition. What’s this thing of grocery shops running dry like that movie…’I am Legend‘?
“It’s not that! People are buying tissues, bulks and bulks. When you are buying so many tissues, you are probably a family of four and you are buying toilet paper that could help 10 other families,” Mhlongo-Motaung said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also cautioned the public against panicking and overbuying. He was speaking at a meeting with political parties in Tuynhuys, Cape Town, on Wednesday 18 March.
Ramaphosa said there was no need for excessive purchasing and that stores were adequately supplied.
