Lifeline for Norwood Covid patients

The Muslim Association of South Africa (Masa) has converted a clinic in Norwood into a Covid-19 patient care centre to help fight the disease in the area.

Masa said the surge in Covid-19 infections in the area “increased the number of people requiring hospitalisation, especially oxygen therapy”.

The humanitarian organisation’s chair, Yaseen Theba, said in a statement: “Apart from beds having piped oxygen supply, there would be portable medical equipment to tend to patients.

“Ambulances will be kept ready to shift patients whose health condition does not improve despite being given oxygen, to regular hospitals.

“The Masa MedPark was set up as a pressure relief valve for local hospitals.

“Several others may open in the coming weeks.”

The Masa MedPark, started accepting patients last Friday.

Motivated by the “exponential rise coupled with the inability of local hospitals to cater” for patients, volunteers created a functional, safe and code-compliant medical facility within five days.

“We were uniquely positioned to do this ... because we are blessed with networks of individuals who can quickly collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to serve the community,” he said.

“The project team had an aggressive five-day deadline to convert the existing clinic into a functional facility.

“Thanks to strong relationships among ... numerous stakeholders with sponsors and donors, the project setup was completed within hours ahead of the deadline schedule.”

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