The health system in KZN is on a verge of collapse. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa says people are dying on stretchers while waiting for beds.
The union says there is no capacity to admit patients at most hospitals in the province. The Union’s provincial secretary Mandla Shabangu said the situation has not been contained since the beginning of December.
“The situation has been out of control since the beginning of December. These hospitals have been experiencing a lot of positive cases from staff and patients. A significant number of members of staff are on quarantine and there is no plan to replace those who have been infected.”
“At some hospitals, you realise that a whole ward of 55 patients is attended by two nurses and it is complicated as some of them are positive. There is no capacity from the staff that specifically deal with Covid-19 patients. It seems management is also confused as they do not know what to do. They do not have a plan to deal with a large number of health workers that are in quarantine or isolation. Those who are coming to work are strained as there is no plan from management.”
Speaking on the procurement of the vaccine, Mandla Shabangu said it is a shame that their country will only receive it in the second half of next year given the situation their members are in.
“It should be a priority for a state to protect its healthcare workers because without the workers the whole system will collapse. When it comes to healthcare workers, they seem to take a back seat and prioritizing their health. The government is allowing patients to flock into hospitals without anyone assisting them. People are dying on stretchers because no one is assisting them.” he told eNCA
Read More: Video: Child watches and films father drowning as he failed to swim