Amanzimtoti doctor relieved to be back healing

Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Basil Stathoulis, 58, was one of the doctors who was affected by the closure of the hospital. He practices at Kingsway Hospital and has had his consulting rooms in its medical centre since 1997.

“There was a great sense of relief when it re-opened. We have worked very hard with doctors, nurses and support staff during the past few weeks to train and develop systems that will stand us in good stead during the pandemic.”

The most difficult part of the lockdown for him has not being able to see his patients who needed care. “For the most part this was sorted out with telephone or video calls and consultations.

I also found it difficult to explain to patients that we could not operate on them, bearing in mind some surgeries are staged, and in some cases the second part of a surgical procedure had to be delayed until the hospital re-opened.”

READ ALSO: Kingsway Hospital manager shares feelings on closure

Of concern, he said the second and most difficult part has been the negative behaviour and comments of some members of the public toward their nurses. “Our nurses are professional and care deeply about their work and patients. They needed support and reassurance at a time when it seemed like the world was very negative for them. The public should always bear in mind that our nurses place their lives on the line to care for the sick.”

Fortunately for him, there have been more positives than negatives to come from the lockdown. “I have developed a closer relationship with nurses and support staff, and I have newfound respect for their dedication, commitment and self-sacrifice.

We have opened up new communication groups among doctors, nurses and administrative groups and I am amazed at the effort and positivity that people commit to in these groups with their comments, sharing of information and actions.

“During the pandemic, hospitals have had to develop new systems and essentially new departments to cater for protocol and meet needs. I am impressed at how many of the nursing and administrative staff have stepped up and committed themselves to the new way of doing things in what is a very uncertain world.”

READ ALSO: Guardian angel protecting Amanzimtoti children

Dr Stathoulis’ consulting rooms are open during weekdays, but he is seeing patients by appointment only. “Everything has changed (in the pandemic). All my patients are now screened, using an online tool. I discuss many patients with referring general practitioners via email or WhatsApp to reduce consultations where possible.

We rely a lot more on electronic communication for patients to convey as much information as possible electronically without them having to bring papers into the consulting rooms.

“In our rooms we have made changes to ensure social distancing and hand hygiene. We have perspex barriers to protect my receptionist, and we both wear surgical masks all day. To see a patient, I have to don a new disposable plastic apron, gloves and visor each time. The whole process is very time-consuming and tiring.”

He only operates on emergency cases and surgery takes much longer and tiring with all the necessary PPE. “I miss the physical aspect of patient contact. Touch is an important part of healing, but is now not possible except with proper and appropriate precautions.”

Asked how his family has been coping during the lockdown, he replied: “We are all exposed to the rollercoaster of the effects of lockdown and the pandemic. I am blessed that I stay in an apartment block in Amanzimtoti with a beautiful view of the sea and very concerned, committed and caring residents. We have a family feel there, with people dropping off food for me after a long day at work and I am most grateful for their concern. I miss my friends and family get-togethers, and walks on the beach. I still take photographs and write a lot, in order to try make sense of the crisis due to the pandemic.”

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