BOPHELONG. – The social distancing regulation put in place due to Covid-19 pandemic is tricky for the less fortunate.
This was proven at the Bophelong Clinic yesterday where outpatients could not keep an adequate social distance when they came for their appointments. The Clinic caters for the Bophelong residents from as far as Muvhango Extension 1 up to 18 including those the old Bophelong township. Community Health Care Workers and nurses seem to be the only thing standing between death and the community as they make 100% sure that together, they and the community are safe before treating them.
Community members said that they had arrived at the clinic from around 6:00 aiming to beat the long queue, most said they had come for their normal monthly appointments. The residents, said that screening for the Covid-19 virus was also supposed to have started at clinics and hospitals as this is where community members arrive on a daily basis.
Aupa Nthebe (67), said if this this system is put in place will assist with saving health care workers time as at the time of doing a door to door campaigns. They would already had at least lessened their work.
Health Care Workers at the Bophelong Clinic were at the front-line trying to assist the group of impatient residents to keep to regulations, but due to a lack of security personnel, nurses were also forced to stop serving patients to assist to sort out the queue outside the premises. Nurses said they have no choice but to do what is right for their patients, and required of them, even at the expense of their own health. One of the nurses, speaking as anonymous, said working during the Covid-19 pandemic, they are doing what they have signed for, which is to help communities.
“We have devoted our lives and went to medical schools to change and make contributions in the lives of our communities, she said.
She added that in most of the time they are not thinking of themselves but the patients.
Police were called to control the queue and help to tell everyone to keep required distance.
