National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) together with the Department of Health visited Ebony Park on 13 May to offer the community free Covid-19 testing.
In addition, they aimed to raise awareness of the virus. The laboratory services, which has been assigned to tour around the country testing citizens, has managed to test more than 300 000 people in three months.
NHLS supervisor Siyabonga Mnomia said his team is assigned to different areas daily. “Our job is to go to various communities and offer our services. We do screening, collection of samples and submit them to the relevant department. We work with the government and MECs who assist in identifying emerging hotspots for the virus,” said Mnomia.
The NHLS team deemed the testing process a success, as the community of Ebony Park arrived in their numbers to be screened or tested. The community co-operated well and everything went smoothly.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura on 14 May said there were clear signs of emerging Covid-19 hotspots in townships and informal settlements across the province. Makhura said these include areas such as Ivory Park, Soweto and Alexandra. Mass testing will be increased in these areas, including Ebony Park.
Mnomia added his team was only responsible for a few aspects. “We only deal with recording of statistics and we do not issue out results. The government has people who are responsible for that department which includes giving out results, communications with those who are found to be positive of the virus and quarantine processes,” said Mnomia.
The NHLS team has been facing various challenges with communities. “People believe that our team is responsible for infecting people with the virus which is not true. We are employed to help people know their status, yet people do not come to our testing stations when we visit their areas and we are not obliged to force them to test,” said Mnomia.
Details: contact the NHLS at 011 489 8400 or visit www.sacoronavirus.co.za
