CHURCH planting took on a whole new meaning when religious organisation Judea Harvest and it’s church network partners, Word and Life Network, agreed to pitch a tent at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital’s parking area for use in combatting the spread of the coronavirus.
ALSO READ: What you need to know about lifestyle diseases and Covid-19
The ‘holy’ intervention was the result of a concept proposal the hospital’s Acting CEO, Dr Menitha Samjowan, presented to the ZO’s charity organisation DICE (Do I Care Enough?).
Samjowan asked DICE to assist in sourcing a marquee that could be set up temporarily outside the Empangeni hospital’s parking area to be used for all Covid-19 screening and testing.
‘We anticipate a rapid rise in the number of positive cases in the coming weeks, which will place enormous pressure on our resources.
‘A potential ward identified for screening and testing is currently occupied and a marquee in our car park would be the perfect solution to free up that ward for patients,’ Samjowan told DICE.
She said such a facility would allow the hospital to separate patients with Covid-19 symptoms from those coming to the hospital with other medical issues, especially during peak times. This would significantly limit unnecessary exposure to the Covid-19 virus.
‘Separating those with symptoms from our emergency patients is the right thing to do in terms of keeping our patients and medical team-members safe.’
DICE immediately reached out to its support network, and Judea Harvest’s representative Caroline Pitout saw the merit in the concept.
Following some hasty negotiations, The Word and Life Network generously gave Pitout permission to make the church’s marquee available to the hospital during this period.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
