Nurses in revolt over PPE as Covid numbers rise

Two of BCM's most prominent hospitals are contending with a swarm of issues as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the province continues to rise.

Health workers at Frere Hospital downed tools on Tuesday morning over a lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) while Grey Hospital in King William's Town has been shut down by the provincial health department “for fumigation” after patients who tested positive for Covid-19 were admitted there.

Health workers at Frere took to the streets to vent their frustration over what they claim is a lack of safety at the hospital. They raised concern over a shortage of personal protective gear and demanded to be screened and tested.

A nurse, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The department announced that it was ready to deal with this virus before the first patient died. Our safety is in jeopardy. Even that ward the patient slept in was cleaned using bleach. We should all be tested as nurses. Not everyone presents with symptoms at the outset.”

A total of 25 nurses were tested after the first death was reported.

Provincial Denosa secretary Khaya Sodidi accused hospital management of mishandling the Covid-19 cases.

“According to them, they don't want to cause panic. They hide the positive cases and do not inform the nurses. It's not something that is uncommon, it's all over the province. The institution is not ready to deal with this.

“We are saying all nurses should have PPE and everyone who comes into hospital must be treated as positive. Everyone who arrives must be attended to the same way. Today [Tuesday] was to get the attention of the department.” 

Provincial health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said management met with the affected stakeholders to discuss the concerns raised, adding that the department would continue to monitor the situation.

“We will continue to provide support, and provide essential equipment that will enable these men and women who are at the forefront to deal decisively with the virus. That includes the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment in different categories based on who does what, when and how. They remain our priority,” Kupelo said.

At Grey Hospital, the provincial health department was criticised for moving nurses without proper communication. The hospital was closed last Friday for fumigation. Denosa Grey Hospital branch chair Ayanda Panyapanya said nurses were puzzled when on Monday they were told to report to Bhisho Hospital until further notice.

He slammed the decision to treat the Dimbaza family who had tested positive at Grey, saying the hospital has not been designated as a Covid-19 facility.

Panyapanya said renovations at Grey Monument — a former private hospital building adjacent to the hospital which has been designated as a facility to accommodate 20 Covid-19 patients — are not yet complete “so Grey Hospital cannot yet be a Covid-19 facility”.

Kupelo said: “Whatever was done there [at Grey hospital], it was done in the best interest of the people. Now there has been an intervention and discussions led by the MEC. A decision has been taken for all patients, irrespective of their illness, to be seen at Grey Hospital, with the exception of male patients who are to be seen at Bhisho hospital.”

He said once the “deep cleaning is done on Thursday”, the hospital would open.