Medics brave high risk of Covid-19 infection in line of duty

Although little was known about the ever developing Covid-19 virus by the time it hit South African shores many frontline workers pulled off a brave fight risking their lives to save others.

“This is not the time to be scared. When we started studying medicine, you know that you might encounter potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. This is a decision you make and you should live by it,” a Pretoria-based doctor shared his fighting moments against the Covid-19 outbreak.

Dr Jaco van Niekerk, a general practitioner in the emergency department at Netcare Montana hospital, said doctors had to be brave as people who got infected relied on them to help them to recover.

“We sit with a new disease that is mostly unknown, and patients want answers to their questions. If a doctor can’t provide those answers the patients become anxious and this anxiousness contributes to a lot of other problems,” he said.

“Social media also poses a lot of problems. There are a lot of unsubstantiated ‘facts’ that are sent around and many people believe every bit of information shared on social media.”

Van Niekerk said the staff involved in the treatment and care of Covid-19 patients were constantly under pressure and strain, both physically and emotionally.

“The large number of patients we have seen at the emergency department and the demand for critical beds have at times also been challenging.”

More pressure was added during the second wave of high infections in the region. Van Niekerk said they saw more cases where a whole household tested positive, compared to only one or two people that tested positive in one household with the first wave.

“I think this is attributed to the higher virulence of the strain that hit us the second time.

“The strain brought by the outbreak affected the working hours the medics spent at work. At some stage during the peak, I felt that Covid-19 is taking over my whole life. You work long hours, when you get home you are tired and emotionally drained and not always there for your loved ones.”

With not much time spared for his loved ones, Van Niekerk said working during the pandemic he learnt the importance of making space for his loved ones at the most challenging times.

“I think you should live your life day by day and make the most of every moment. Make time for your loved ones. No one knows what is coming in the possible third wave.”

He urged the public to practice basic hygiene principles, adding “this is currently our only chance of protecting ourselves from the virus”.

“I also feel we need to try and break the stigma surrounding a positive tested person. They need our medical help, but also emotional support from friends and loved ones.”

Van Niekerk appealed to the public to help lessen the burden on healthcare professionals by being more understanding and patient when their loved ones get admitted to hospital.

“All healthcare professionals working with Covid-19 patients do so in the best interest of their patients.

“When you have to wait outside while your loved one is in the emergency department, please be patient. Healthcare professionals do their utmost to help your loved one as best as they can, but this might take some time.”

Van Niekerk said he started his medical career journey in 1994, studying biological sciences.

In 1997 he was awarded an Honours degree in medical sciences with medical microbiology as a field of study. He started his medical training at the University of the Free State in 1998 before moving to work in Pretoria. He also completed a Master of Science degree in medicine with his field of study and research being emergency medicine in 2017.

* 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 have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram