Union claims staff were not protected from coronavirus, demands answers from KwaDukuza state hospital

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) are holding an urgent meeting today with hospital management at Stanger’s General Gizenga Memorial Hospital after their investigation revealed that staff were not properly protected or trained to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This contradicts a statement issued by the KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu earlier this week.

The hospital remains in quarantine after nine mothers, two babies, four doctors and a nurse tested positive for Covid-19.

All the patients have been isolated.

Nehawu’s provincial secretary, Ayanda Zulu, told the Courier that staff at the hospital have not been adequately provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).

With cases of community transmission rising, Zulu said it was standard healthcare policy for staff in the frontline to be protected.

ALSO READ: Protests against admittance of Covid-19 patients

Staff are concerned that if one doctor, nurse or cleaner becomes infected, they could transmit the virus to everyone seeking healthcare.

In a statement on Tuesday, MEC Simelane-Zulu said it was believed that the first case resulted from a mother who was housed at the boarder mothers’ lodge at the hospital.

She reportedly had not disclosed that her husband was one of the positive cases linked to a supermarket chain store in Ballito.

Other mothers at the lodge soon tested positive.

“As a department, we are extremely concerned by these developments, and have urgently exercised our constitutional obligation to prevent a further outbreak of the virus,” she said.

She maintained that the staff had been trained and supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE).

“What is of particular concern to us is the fact that these infections have taken place in spite of the hospital’s infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, as well as the requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) that has been made available to staff.”

An urgent investigation has been instituted by the province’s communicable diseases control and IPC experts to establish how the virus was able to spread at such a rapid rate within the hospital.

All 219 patients and staff were tested on Monday night and Tuesday.

Low-risk patients were diverted to district hospitals in the area, while serious cases are being sent to King Edward VIII Hospital.

ALSO READ: KwaDukuza state hospital quarantined amid Covid-19 outbreak

However Nehawu’s Ayanda Zulu said staff had told the union that the results of the Covid-19 tests performed on them had not been disclosed and that social distancing was not being practiced.

There was also claims of inadequate training for staff.

“During our investigation we have found that healthcare workers have not been trained on the proper use of PPE – including taking it on and off without contaminating themselves or others,” said Zulu.

Another issue that had to be addressed was the lack of social distancing within the hospital.

“A section of the hospital is been used to treat Covid-19 cases.

“This has caused congestion in the hospital and it is making it very difficult for healthcare workers to practice social distancing.”

As of yesterday the total number of coronavirus infections recorded countrywide was 7720 (1189 cases in KZN), with 38 deaths.

* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments.

As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed.

Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol.

A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.