Not all heroes wear capes

Millions of South Africans put their lives on the line daily to provide healthcare to those who need it most.

This has been especially true as countries battle to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Although their jobs have always been challenging, the pandemic has added an insurmountable weight to healthcare workers.

“At first there was some hesitation in treating patients who had the virus.
“There was some fear about our safety,” explained operations manager of the Far East Rand Hospital Bheki Dube.

He said, in the beginning, the hospital established a six-bedded unit but soon there were more patients than the unit could accommodate.

The numbers continued to rise, forcing the hospital to create another ward to accommodate patients during the first wave.

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“It was especially stressful when the mortality rate went up and we would lose between 10 and 15 patients a day.
“It does plant fear in the staff about their health.
“Every pain or discomfort in the body makes one worry about having contracted Covid-19 while on duty,” he added.

He admitted that some of the staff who worked in the Covid-19 wards were infected with the virus.

“Fortunately none of them became critically ill but the fear never really goes away,” he said.

Dube said hospital management has been supportive throughout.

“We had enough protective gear and they would always check on our wellness and that of the patients,” he said.

Staff were also offered the services of psychologists.

“One of the biggest challenges we faced was having to be in constant communication with the families of the patients,” he explained.

Hospitals did not allow visitors to help decrease contact and possible infection from one person to the other.

“The families found it hard to accept the system and some insisted on coming to the hospital to see their loved one,” he said.

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According to Dube, many of those infected admitted to not wearing masks or adhering to other regulations.
“It took them getting sick for some people to understand the seriousness of the pandemic.“People must understand this is real.
“The alcohol ban has also helped to decrease the number of cases we are seeing.
“The saddest part is that younger people go out and contract the virus, then infect the older people with whom they live.
“People need to avoid social gatherings as much as possible,” he warned.

Dube also emphasised the need for people to get tested as soon as they suspect they may have the virus.

“Waiting a few days could be a matter of life and death.

“The sooner you can get tested and treated if you are positive, the better the chances of you getting better,” he said.

The hospital has four wards dedicated to Covid-19 patients.