Dr David Stead, an infectious diseases specialist responsible for Covid-19 wards at Cecilia Makiwane and Frere Hospitals, says the historic problem of an underdeveloped health system in Eastern Cape has worsened the burden on healthcare professionals.
In an interview with GroundUp, Dr David Stead, Infectious Diseases specialist responsible for Covid-19 wards at Cecilia Makiwane and Frere Hospitals in East London, says the historic problem of an underdeveloped, under-served and less robust health system in Eastern Cape has worsened the burden on healthcare professionals. The system in his province feels the strain and cracks appear much quicker in a system that has already been limping along, broken and understaffed.
The Eastern Cape has seen the number of confirmed Covid-19 infections nearly double in a two week period, from 29,340 on 1 July to 55,584 on 15 July. Over the same period confirmed Covid-19 infections at Buffalo City Metro where Cecilia Makiwane and Frere Hospitals are located have also doubled from 6,767 and 80 deaths to 13,536 and 153 deaths.
“We have non-invasive ventilators but some patients require mechanical ventilators and that is extremely restricted in the state centres at the moment.” “We have already had more than 150 staff at Cecilia Makiwane that have been off sick, although some of them have recovered and come back to work. Everyday there’s a staff member who tests positive,” he said.Despite strenuous efforts and strict use of personal protective equipment , Stead also came down with Covid-19.
“We have always had patients dying. It’s just the intensity and the numbers of patients that are dying in casualty and in the wards. It’s quite a lot of strain for nurses, especially those who work much closer to the patients and have to wrap up dead bodies,” said Stead. Stead is under immense pressure to see the completion of a field hospital being prepared at the Mercedes Benz plant in East London, and ongoing renovations of old Cecilia Makiwane Hospital to create a space for extra beds.
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