Merebank Clinic staff overwhelmed as patient numbers rise daily

AS the new variant of Covid-19 spreads at a rapid pace, healthcare facilities are are under immense pressure with the influx of patients.

Merebank Clinic is no exception, seeing to large numbers of patients daily attending to both the ill as well as those who come in for their monthly treatments and medication.

“The new variant spreads more rapidly and of course is a growing threat to our community irrespective of being poor, rich, young or elderly. That is more the reason to heed the call to stay at home, especially now that hospitals are full and have reached their capacity.

“Our clinic has not been revamped so we cannot take the strain of large numbers attending daily. It is advisable for persons with comorbidities to speak to the doctor to arrange for their chronic medication to be picked up at a pharmacy near them. This will help reduce pressure on the limited staff available and allow more time for people that are in urgent need of treatment. We also urge the community to ensure that children are timeously immunised according to the relevant age related vaccinations,” said Merebank Clinic committee chairperson, Rishi Sewsunker.

Sewsunker continues to appeal to the community to keep away from public venues unless attendance is necessary, as this will help curb infections and therefore decrease the numbers of patients that need to be attended to by the already overworked healthcare workers.

“As we all struggle to understand this new normal. I urge that we and our family members cautiously venture out for only the essentials. The coronavirus is a unique killer. Don’t allow it near you or your family. Only you can help yourself,” he said, reminding the public to continue to wash and sanitise hands, wear masks and maintain social distance at all times.