Empangeni hospital sets benchmark in dealing with Covid-19

GENEROSITY from the community and various local organisations has helped new mothers stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Queen Nandi Regional Hospital (QNRH) acting CEO Dr Menitha Samjowan, extended her gratitude to the members of the public who have donated protective equipment.

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She said this not only ensured that staff and patients were well protected, but also resulted in the maternity facility being a benchmark hospital in KZN for their proactive initiatives in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘The guidelines recommend what personal protective equipment (PPE) is appropriate for each patient care contact, but the hospital has gone beyond the recommended guidelines to provide extra protection for all its staff.

‘Generous donations of face shields by Athena Capital from Cape Town and Enviromap from Durban ensured that every employee at the facility had a reusable face shield at all times.

‘The local community of Richards Bay, Empangeni and Mtunzini have been donating cloth masks for all our patients and non-clinical staff, as part of the ‘Masks for All Zululand’ initiative, which was spearheaded by Queen Nandi Hospital itself,’ said Samjowan.

South32, the ZO’s charity wing Do I Care Enough? (DICE), and BayCity Aluminium donated 100 aerosol boxes to the hospital so nurses and doctors are given an extra layer of protection when carrying out high-risk procedures.

In a further bid to reduce the spread of infection, the hospital received a donation of a large tent, which has been erected next to the main pedestrian entrance.

This will function as a flu clinic and Covid-19 screening and testing area, so everyone who enters the facility is screened thoroughly and not allowed to enter the hospital if they are symptomatic.

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Samjowan said QNRH was the first hospital in KZN to establish proper screening and testing stations at the entrance.

‘We were the first hospital in the province to limit visitor access. We were also the first hospital in the province, and probably the country, to ensure daily screening of all inpatients as well, in an established procedure, to ensure our inpatients and staff are protected.’

Since March, hospital staff have been undergoing counselling sessions to help them deal with anxiety. Patients are also offered these services.

Samjowan said that regular drills and simulations are in place, ensuring staff are confident, knowledgeable, and comfortable in dealing with Covid-19.

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