A tribute to Fourways healthcare heroes

It has been just under a year since the first case of Covid-19 was reported in South Africa and, in that time, millions of residents have faced incredible challenges.

No one understands this more than local healthcare workers. For sister Davindri Moodley, the head of the general department at Witkoppen Clinic, her job kept her extremely busy even before a global pandemic. Now on top of her duties to care for her patients, she also focuses on ensuring social distancing measures are adhered too, personal protective equipment is worn correctly and learning updated Covid-19 protocols and training.

“With Covid, it’s a changed world for us, physically, emotionally and mentally,” she said. Hundreds of patients visit the clinic each day which means patients can spend ages waiting outside the clinic before they can be screened and allowed into the clinic. “All our PPE creates a barrier between us and our patients… We connect with our patients emotionally, now it feels as though you lose that trust because your patient can’t even see who they are dealing with. You could ask them to take off their mask while you’re examining them and you can see that they are fearful.”

Moodley said that, of course, the doctors and nurses are fearful themselves, as they may be close to a patient who is asymptomatic or hasn’t properly disclosed their symptoms. Some patients are anxious to reveal that they have had symptoms and some are ignorant to the potential harms. The pandemic has meant that healthcare workers are facing a constant learning curve.

Moodley recently had to undergo training to administer the Covid-19 vaccine. “Mentally, last year this time was worse, because we didn’t know the virus, we didn’t know the strains. Compared to now, we have more knowledge and we’re more empowered. But the virus is changing daily and the strain is changing daily. There is still a small area of uncertainty about new strains but we rely on scientists and researchers.”

Both professionally and personally, Moodley is a pillar of strength, working to keep her colleagues motivated and offer advice and support to her loved ones. Moodley said that her colleagues and management team have been incredible throughout the pandemic. “We’re all working toward a common goal… When I see a colleague falling down I pick them up, when I fall they pick me up, that’s the team spirit that we have.”

Those who have contracted the virus can display a wide range of symptoms. Moodley said she has had many sleepless nights because, with the virus, you don’t know what is next. Despite the challenges and additional responsibilities, Moodley stays positive and works to keep morale high. Despite the clinic’s operating hours, the staff only leave once the last patient has been attended to. Moodley said that although restrictions have been eased, she urges members of the public to continue to wear their masks, sanitise and socially distance.

“To our healthcare workers, I say, ‘stay strong and stay positive’.”