‘Medicine is my calling’

Tsakani – “It is sad that we have people who still don’t believe Covid-19 exists.
“We have residents who refuse to wear masks in public and want to be policed or others who only put on masks when they go into a public facility. The same people refuse to use the designated sanitising and handwashing bays or practise social distancing until the marshals force them to.
“They insist on coming to the hospital even when their conditions don’t require them to. Hospitals are for sick people and there is a higher risk of contracting the virus here than at local clinics.”
These are the words of Dr Mncedisi Manyoni, head of department at the Pholosong Hospital’s Emergency Department and chairperson of the hospital’s Covid-19 steering committee.

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“As much as we are all alert and trying to do our best to avoid contracting the virus, we still have people who refuse to protect themselves and their loved ones,” he said.
The Wits University graduate joined the hospital in December 2019 after years of heading the same department at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital. Manyoni said medicine and emergency medicine is his calling.
“I knew from a very young age I wanted to be a medical doctor.
“All I ever wanted was to save lives and make a difference in the health sector. Even when Covid-19 hit our shores I reminded myself that I took an oath to save lives,” he said.
The doctor explained that part of his responsibility as the chairperson of the Covid-19 steering committee at the hospital is to ensure his co-workers’ fears and anxiety in the hospital are managed.
“There are times when staff members feared for their health. You must remember this is a new disease that is taking lives within a short period.
“We are at the forefront trying to save lives while putting our health and that of our loved ones at risk.
“We had to develop ways in which the staff feel at ease to execute their responsibilities and give hope to the patients.
“We conduct frequent walkabouts in the hospital, address concerns relating to Covid-19 and have an open communication channel through social media groups and internal communication,” he added.

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Manyoni said like with other illnesses, people only come to the hospital when they are gravely ill.
“With Covid-19, they try out the homoeopathic medicines which include artemisia, garlic, ginger and others when they start showing Covid-19 symptoms.
“Unfortunately, with Covid-19 in some patients, the infection can progress from mild to serious symptoms within a few weeks and without proper medical attention, the situation can be dire.
“We always discourage our patients from using medicine not evidence-based or scientific.
“Just because someone survived using that specific herb doesn’t mean you will also have the same luck,” he said.
He urged residents to heed to Covid-19 regulations, practise social distancing, wash hands regularly with soap, sanitise frequently, wear a clean mask and stay away from super spreader events like parties and funerals.