The PPE is critically needed to protect frontline doctors and healthcare workers, and to keep them healthy in their fight against the pandemic. The list of protective gear required includes masks (N95 Grade); surgical masks; Latex-free gloves (do not need to be sterile), preferrably nitrile; plastic aprons; visors and goggles for eye protection; gowns and suits; and overshoes. 

Stavros Nicolaou, who leads the Public Health Workgroup for Business for South Africa (BSA), says: “As we head deeper into the Covid-19 crisis, we are going to need all the masks, gloves and protective equipment we can source to ensure the healthcare sector has a ready and ongoing supply. We appeal to all South African businesses, whether large or small, to unlock their stocks in the best national interest.

“Critical to turning the tide against the Covid-19 pandemic, is ensuring that our frontline doctors and healthcare workers are protected from the virus, to ensure South Africa’s most effective response. This effort will go a long way in keeping them productive in the clinical setting.”

Since January, the stock of protective equipment has been severely impacted by the global need. This has been exacerbated by export restrictions, disruptions of logistics systems and escalating costs.

The group is working closely with Government’s PPE Division to consolidate all national health requirements in respect of PPE. Besides this urgent call to companies, the workgroup is driving efforts to boost local manufacturing and production where possible, and also expanding the sourcing from global suppliers.

Securing stocks from companies that already have these available, especially those that are not currently using them, will provide much needed immediate assistance. Throughout South Africa, there are storerooms of PPE that could be used as part of the emergency response. This includes stocks that are held by companies in the manufacturing, forestry and agriculture, construction, mills, spray painting, mining and signwriting industries, amongst others.

“In almost every sector, there are companies that have stocks of protective gear that they issue to employees to protect them in the workplace. These are the stocks that are urgently required to be fed into the national health efforts to combat and manage the spread of Covid-19,” says Nicolaou. "We urge all company owners, store keepers, supervisors, operators, and especially occupational health and HSE managers, who have access to PPE stock, to contact us with the following information: What stocks do you have? How many units of each? Which manufacturer’s brand? Where in SA are they? Are they sterile or non-sterile? (The group will sterilise the stock.)

Please send the information to the following contact: Covid19supplies@businessresponsecovid19.co.za for the necessary logistical arrangements.

OFM News/Press release