Strong demand for local hospital beds due to Covid

Despite the local rise in Covid-19 cases which has led hospitals to increase human resource capacity, management at the local hospitals were confident they could keep up with the demand.

Chief clinical officer of Mediclinic Southern Africa Dr Gerrit de Villiers speaking to Rekord said the hospital group could confirm that there was very strong demand for hospital beds during the current third wave.

De Villiers said the wave was impacting hospitals in Gauteng, Free State and Northern Cape in particular.

“This demand is being experienced across much of the industry and as a result of the increase in patient numbers and severity of patients’ conditions, it is expected to continue in the coming weeks.

“Mediclinic Muelmed is currently experiencing high volumes of patients with Covid-19 related conditions. ICU and high care beds are under particular strain, but the hospital is still able to receive and accommodate patients,” De Villiers said.

He said Muelmed was in constant contact with hospitals within the area to understand demand for care at each facility and to look for ways to best manage the flow of patients.

De Villiers said hospital bed capacity remained fluid and that the dynamic situation was continuously monitored.

“Where possible, measures are also in place to further increase our capacity through reallocation of non-Covid-19 units as well as ensuring that oxygen capacity is sufficient to support the needs for supplemental oxygen in our wards.”

De Villiers said they were also in constant contact with the hospitals in all regions to identify their specific needs in terms of resources.

He said as the third wave evolved, Mediclinic was strongly emphasising the need for the public to manage their own health and adjust their behaviour to reduce their risk of infection of Covid-19.

“By adjusting behaviour, the community can contribute to slowing the progress of the pandemic, thereby relieving pressure on the facilities supporting severely impacted patients.”

He said besides the universal non-pharmaceutical measures, the public needed to ensure surface cleaning and avoid social gatherings outside an individual’s direct family bubble.

“It is vital that anyone not feeling well remains at home to avoid any further risk to community members.”

Steve Biko academic hospital CEO Dr Mathabo Mathebula said their facility had also noted an increase of Covid-19 patients.

Mathebula said the hospital’s health systems were also under pressure due to the increase.

“Like all waves of Covid-19, resources including staff, have to be taken away from rendering routine services to concentrate on fighting the virus at the expense of elective medical conditions.”

She said health care workers had been fighting Covid-19 for more than a year now.

“They are exhausted and frustrated more so when there are waves after waves. Just seeing people walking around in groups and not wearing masks adds to their misery.”

Mathebula said the pandemic had also affected hospital work as patients who had non-Covid emergencies in the inner city of Tshwane had to be directed to other hospitals that were also taking care of Covid-19 patients.

“Each hospital admits both Covid-19 and non-Covid patients at their mandated level of care. The overflow of Covid-19 patients gets sent for admission at Tshwane district hospital.”

She said currently, there were enough beds for “now”, hoping that the negligence in individuals would not lead to beds becoming outnumbered.

There were 200 plus approved beds at Tshwane district hospital, which was repurposed to admitting Covid-19 patients.

The Gauteng department of health MEC has also assured the public that its health systems have been able to withstand the current Covid-19 third wave, experienced in the province.

Gauteng health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi said “the province is still able to cope with the pressure at this stage”.

She said the department was further increasing personnel to its 5 521 Covid-19 posts filled as of 1 June 2021.

“Our system might be under pressure, but we still have the will and enough capacity to cope with the demand.

“We are adding more healthcare personnel to make sure more available beds are fully functional,” Mokgethi said.

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