Limpopo Mediclinic
Mediclinic has stated that although they currently have no confirmed cases at the hospital, they have initiated protocols in strict accordance with National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and National Department of Health.
Mediclinic has implemented the necessary measures to manage patients who display symptoms as well as to prevent potential transmission of the virus at Mediclinic facilities. They urge the public to take the necessary precautions when they travel to affected areas and encourage people with symptoms of flu who think they might have been exposed to the virus to contact their healthcare provider. Mediclinic has enhanced processes in place to deal with the anticipated increase, based on the developing international and local situation. Protocols regarding identification, testing and reporting are followed as required and supported by the NICD.
A task team at Mediclinic Corporate Office was initiated to assess and monitor the readiness of hospitals within the group. The team meets regularly to assess readiness as well as to monitor the spread of the virus and how this may place demands on the business. The Health Department has designated specific hospitals as not all facilities in the public sector have the ability to isolate patients. Private hospitals, including Mediclinic, will be able to assist and treat patients.
Netcare Pholosho Hospital
Netcare Group formed a multi-disciplinary task team as soon as the outbreak was made public early in January, to ensure that all Netcare Group operations would be fully prepared. They have been cooperating closely with the NICD and the Health Department on an ongoing basis in this regard. They have aligned their clinical protocols for managing COVID-19 patients with their clinical guidelines and have done training in their facilities in accordance with the department and NICD guidelines.
Netcare also implemented comprehensive measures to detect, identify and respond appropriately to any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at all the group’s facilities. When the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in South Africa was announced, Netcare implemented a number of additional precautionary measures with immediate effect which includes risk assessing and screening of all persons who enter their facilities for COVID-19 risk, as a first line of defence and to do further screening where it is indicated that a person may be a risk. Every person who enters Netcare’s facilities have to clean their hands with alcohol rub or alcohol spray that they have made available. In addition, they have restricted visiting times and the number of visitors who may visit patients.
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