The Gauteng Department of Health issued an appeal this morning calling for donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators.

“The fight against Covid-19 requires a joint effort by all sectors of society,” said the Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana.

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“It includes an increase of the resource capacity of Gauteng’s health system.”

The department urged those who wish to support the fight against Covid-19, to donate PPE and ventilators.

These donations will supplement government resources and will be utilised in special sites which are being put in place to house Covid-19 patients.

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“The PPEs, such as masks and gloves, play an important role in minimising exposure to the spread of infections whilst ventilators assist the breathing process when the virus causes failure or damage to the lungs,” said the Gauteng Department of Health in a statement.

According to the World Health Organisation, Covid-19 causes damage to the lungs and one in six people get seriously ill and can develop breathing difficulties.

To alleviate this, a ventilator is used to push air, with increased levels of oxygen into the lungs.

The department needs two types of ventilators, namely mechanical ventilators and non-invasive ventilators.

To support this donation drive, email to covid19.donations.gauteng.gov.za or call 072 633 0515.

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