Businesses, civil society urged to help avert humanitarian disaster

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has appealed to the business community and civil society to assist with resources to help avert a major Covid-19 crisis in the metro.

The city’s hospitals do not have the capacity or resources to deal with a major outbreak, should the infection rate increase dramatically.

“If the trend in other countries is anything to go by, then it is expected that 60% of the Nelson Mandela Bay population of over 1.3-million will be infected,” business chamber CEO Nomkhita Mona said yesterday.

“It must be noted that the Nelson Mandela Bay region would be a catchment area for the surrounding towns, including the Sarah Baartman area.”

Mona said it was estimated that 80% of those infected would recover, 15% would need to be admitted to hospital and 5% would require intensive care, including being connected to a ventilator.

“It is within this 5% where the highest risk of mortality lies,” she said.

The chamber had set up an internal joint operational centre to co-ordinate the response to the pandemic of businesses in the metro.

“The team mobilised the business chamber members to indicate what they can assist with — financially, in kind, emotionally and in many other ways.”

In two days a clear, detailed plan had been formulated.

A team of doctors under the guidance of the lead doctor in the metro joint operations centre, John Black, had informed the medical aspects of the emergency plan.

“To execute this plan, more resources will be required,” Mona said.

“It is against this backdrop that we are making a clarion call to all, businesses and citizens alike, to respond and get involved in the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber’s effort to avert a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.

“We are encouraged by the businesses who were first to respond in volunteering and donating a variety of goods and services.

“Our attitude is that we should rather err on the side of caution — by preparing for the worst, and not need it — than the opposite.

“Our elaborate plans include assisting with the hospitals as well as the identification of large available buildings to cater for spill-over patients.

“These would be kitted out with the necessary equipment,” Mona said.

“We are also engaging on ensuring that the required resources (including personal protective equipment, etc) is available.

“We are also exploring the use of our members’ impressive innovation and equipment to design and avail some muchneeded equipment and supplies,” she said.

All those willing and able to assist should send an e-mail to joc@nmbbusinesschamber.co.za