According to MEC Montseng Tsiu, what could have turned into a “Covid-19 catastrophe” has been averted by the work of healthcare workers throughout the province. Bloemfontein Courant reports Mangaung has become one of the hotspots of the virus after it started spreading following a church gathering in Bloemfontein earlier this year.

“Under difficult circumstances our health workers work around the clock, putting their lives at risk to fight the ravages of many known infectious illnesses, including the lesser known but devastating Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

“This entire month, which started on Workers’ Day, we have expressed our solidarity with the scores of health workers who are on the frontline of the fight against this global pandemic. Our efforts as department are geared towards ensuring that they are well protected through the availability of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), technology, medical equipment, medical consumables and supportive environments for them to take care of the patients they are expected to serve,” elaborated Tsiu.

Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, announced that effective policies have been put in place as the department celebrated International Day of Midwives on Tuesday.

“We are pleased that we have taken very brave policy positions that are yielding results. Our midwives are unlikely to be easily affected by Covid-19 as we are insisting on screening all patients in our health facilities and consistently taking temperatures of all our health professionals and health workers in general,” he said.

“As a nurse by profession, MEC Tsiu recognises the sacrifices of all workers in the industry, including those directly fighting Covid-19 like doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics, but also security personnel, kitchen staff, drivers and cleaners, among others, many of whom work day and night to protect the health of fellow-South Africans,” explained Mvambi.

Bloemfontein Courant/Nomaqhawe Mtebele