Three bright minds establish Covid-19 outpatient clinic in Ermelo

The community of Ermelo can rest assured that their medical requirements relating to Covid-19 will be well taken care of, now that a Covid-19 outpatient clinic has been established in Ermelo.

The doors to the Covid-19 Clinic officially opened on 14 July.

Dr Natalie Collis of Swart A A & Partners, Ms Elsjè van der Schyff, a physiotherapist at Winckler & Steyn Fisioterapeute/Physiotherapists, and Ms Anel Schoeman of Anel Schoeman Fisioterapie/Physiotherapy, had the spontaneous idea to set up an outpatient clinic to assist Covid-19 patients.

The office of the pathologist at Drs Du Buisson, Kramer, Swart, Bouwer Inc./Ing (Ampath) moved to Mediclinic Ermelo, and the open space underwent a metamorphosis and almost overnight, was turned into a Covid-19 clinic.

The clinic specialises in Covid-19 follow-up treatment as well as chest physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

“We see Covid-19 positive patients, but also all patients with symptoms who have not yet tested as we cannot see them in the normal practice due to the risk of them being positive,” Dr Collis said.

Although the clinic does not consist of intensive care apparatuses such as ventilators, patients with mild to moderate symptoms can be treated symptomatically.
This treatment typically includes the administering of primarily vitamins and other prescribed medications, as well as intensive physiotherapy that focus on chest therapy and overall rehabilitation.

Ms Van der Schyff said when Covid-19 breached the South African borders, doctors and physiotherapists came together and were asked to volunteer their services.

Most doctors and physiotherapists underwent additional training to prepare them for treating patients with Covid-19.

“One of the regulations was that doctors and physiotherapists could not see Covid-19 patients in their respective general practices as to avoid spreading the virus, so once we reached the decision to set-up an isolated Covid-19 facility, the three of us were overjoyed to be able to see and assist patients in need of medical treatment and advice,” Ms Van der Schyff said.

The clinic daily sees about 20 patients of which some have tested positive for Covid-19.

According to Dr Collis, depending the severity of patients’ symptoms, the average recovery time for most people, excluding those with underlying co-morbidities, seems to be about five days.

“We track all of our patients who have tested positive and request them to make an appointment, usually on day seven.

“Thereafter, a follow-up appointment is scheduled on day 14 where we advise patients accordingly and usually clear them to return back to work.”

Ms Anel Schoeman wished to put people’s minds at ease and said that even though there are people who really become very sick, people should note that an early diagnosis and subsequent treatment, ensures patients are less likely to become extremely sick.

Ms Schoeman said their role as physiotherapists at the clinic, include, but is not limited to chest physio.

“We also do general rehabilitation that comprise of several exercises generally when blood clots may have formed in patients’ legs and we also advise them on the correct postural positions.”

According to Ms Schoeman and Dr Collis, people may have noticed Covid-19 patients being positioned on their stomachs and the reason being that less pressure is exerted on the lungs due to their position in the body.

“A large percentage of the lungs are located more to the back than the abdomen and therefore positioning patients this way, alleviates a lot of the pressure in the lungs and which also ensures better circulation of oxygen.”

Ms Schoeman said they are very excited about the clinic and they want to assure the public that they are very receptive and are there to help.

Patients who experience Covid-19 symptoms can contact Dr Collis at 017 811 2136 to make an appointment.

She said that patients should please specify that they are phoning in regard to the Covid-19 Clinic and they should disclose their symptoms or state if they have tested positive in order for her to advise accordingly.

To make an appointment with either Ms Van der Schyff or Ms Schoeman patients can also contact them directly at 017 811 1121 and 017 743 0880 respectively.

The Covid Clinic is situated next to the offices of Dr Swart A A & Partners in De Clercq Street.