Gift of the Givers steps in as Covid numbers rise
The desperate Covid-19 drama being played out in the Eastern Cape was laid out for the Dispatch in a frank interview with Gift of the Givers leader Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
The founder of the internationally renowned relief and development organisation, which is active in 40 hospitals in the province, spoke of:
● The fear experienced by exhausted police officers and health workers forced onto the virus front line with poor protection;
● Startling indifference and lethargy displayed by some officials and hospital managers;*
● Trauma and grief experienced by health workers and police who watch their colleagues die from the coronavirus; and
● A frantic bid to slow down the referral of infected people from smaller to larger hospitals to stave off overcrowding.
He warned that police were as much on the infection front line as healthcare workers. The SAPS in Graaff-Reinet “have been badly affected as they don t have PPE. They are scared
’ to carry out their duties. Many have tested positive for Covid19 and some have died. We even get calls from the police s
’ provincial head office asking for assistance with PPE.”
He said anyone who had direct contact with infected people was regarded as a front line worker.
We have received distress calls from all parts of the Eastern
Cape and from hospitals where one of the biggest challenges is the staff. They are tired and demotivated, and this was even before Covid-19 remember
— the government failed to provide backup staff with posts not being filled,” he said.
Sooliman said paramedics could help in the crisis.
Paramedics can intubate, put up IV lines, administer oxygen, monitor patients. I have found them to be extremely dedicated. They can work in shifts, while also delivering essential services on days when doctors and nurses are off getting muchneeded rest.
Clinical associates [who assess “patients, make diagnoses, prescribe treatment and perform minor surgery under the supervision of a physician], can also assist during this time.”
The emotional and mental wellbeing of healthcare workers and patients is paramount, he added. Some suffer from extreme anxiety after watching their colleagues die.
It s important to get healthcare “’ workers in the right frame of mind so they don t make
’ mistakes. They see their colleagues dying in front of them. Patients may simply not improve because of anxiety; that s
’ why a psychiatric consultation on admission is important.”
He said PPE was not reaching front line areas.
It was a real problem that secondary aspects were ignored in hospitals and clinics from
— tea and coffee to stationery, furniture, plumbing and electricity.
Gift of The Givers has responded to these needs.
The NGO is assisting 40 Eastern Cape hospitals including Bhisho, Grey, Victoria, Settlers, and Marjorie Parrish hospitals. Clinics also receive assistance. “We ve assisted Bhisho with
’
120 beds and mattresses and 240 pillows, and we are in the process of turning some nurses
’ quarters into areas for community healthcare interns. “There s also a need for PPEs
’ such as goggles, visors, head and shoe covers, non-contact thermometers, gloves and scrubs.”
The numbers of Covid-19 infections were climbing in all hospitals, especially the smaller facilities.
Sooliman said: We need to
“keep patients in these hospitals instead of moving them to bigger ones, which will just add strain.
”
He was critical of the way some government officials and medical staff handle the pandemic.
It s about urgency and the “’ government doesn t seem to
’ understand that. Are politicians here to serve the people or themselves?
Some medical staff have “abandoned their responsibility and taken a back seat. This is a disservice to the people who depend on them, including their own colleagues.
“I also have to give credit to medical management, as this pandemic has improved their skills.”
His organisation spends long days and sleepless nights forging ahead with their relief work.
“When you love what you do, you don t mind not sleeping,”
’
Sooliman said.