We call upon the KZN MEC of Health to do more to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in hospitals.
We are concerned about recent media reports, indicating that the number of Covid-19-infected staff at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital had increased to 331 by Friday, 17 July. Due to this, an urgent meeting was apparently held at the Hospital between the Department of Health and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).
The spread of Covid-19 among healthcare workers must be of the utmost concern to the health authorities. It is incumbent upon them – in particular the KZN MEC of Health – to go back to the drawing board with her team and come up with new strategies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our hospitals.
Our nurses and doctors are on the front lines in the battle against Covid-19. Without these essential healthcare workers, there is no one to provide medical care to those who have contracted the virus. Our healthcare workers must be protected at all costs. All nurses and doctors must be provided with PPE – irrespective of which department of the hospital they are working in. Although we acknowledge the issues related to funding, and the limited resources available, all healthcare workers must be provided with PPE – saving lives is more important than anything else.
We further believe that the Department of Health must continue educating people about dangers of Covid-19 and how to prevent the spread of the virus.
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Contact:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, MPL
IFP Health Spokesperson
078 302 3991