Covid-19 testing site in the pipeline for Roshnee
The non-governmental organisation Gift of the Givers on 30 March announced on social media that it would set up Covid-19 testing sites – according to reports this would include “drive thru testing sites” – at several locations across South Africa, including one in Roshnee.
Testing at these sites would be conducted by Mullah Laboratories at R755 each, but only for people who are referred by a doctor and who meet certain criteria.
In the Facebook post several locations for these testing sites are mentioned, including, Mullah Laboratories in Mayfair, Johannesburg, Wits University in Johannesburg, Roshnee outside Vereeniging and the Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital in Durban.
According to Dr. Imtiaz Ismail Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, the site at Roshnee would offer testing but not “drive thru testing” as reported earlier.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster last week Dr. Aqeel Thokan, who is in the process of setting up the testing station, said: “We are in the process of trying to set up the testing station but we have to follow procedure. We are also still looking for partners from within the community, ” Thokan explained.
In the meantime bookings can be made by calling the toll-free number 0800 786 911 for a booking.
Sooliman emphasised that testing would be strictly by appointment only and that no walk-ins would be considered.
“Patients must fit the definition criteria as set out by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and must have a doctor’s referral before testing.
“This reduces contamination risk and contact time in the best interests of all concerned, and payment is due before testing via EFT,” reads the social media post.
According to Sooliman Gift of the Givers has already intervened as a partner to the government’s Covid-19 initiative, augmenting public health services by supporting medical professionals with protective wear, supplying relevant essential medical equipment and providing medical consumables to the institutions in urgent need.
Sooliman said that donations and contributions of relevant medical equipment and consumables will be welcomed.
Members of the public can get in touch with the organisation by sending an email to donations@giftofthegivers.org or contacting Sooliman
on 083 236 4029.
