With Mediclinic Morningside in Sandton being the second private facility where many staff and health workers have tested positive to COVID-19 after Netcare St Augustine Hospital in Durban, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) is worried about safety of health workers and would like to urge the Ministry of Health to monitor private health facilities throughout the country because there appears a great need to tighten infection control measures.

Our provincial office in Gauteng is looking into the matter closely to ensure that all necessary measures like fumigation of affected areas and self-isolation for those who’ve been in contact with those who tested positive are followed; and that, if need be, affected areas be closed altogether.  

Sandton and Bedfordview are epicentres of COVID-19 in Gauteng and the need to be on high alert is crucial for healthcare facilities around Sandton, especially private ones, for the safety of health workers in terms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of good quality and allocation of staff with sufficient training on infection control in all facilities and areas that may have to handle COVID-19 cases.

While investigation will be done on what led to this, DENOSA deems it a non-negotiable to protect healthcare workers at all times. DENOSA has been reviewing disturbing complaints from nurses that they are being discouraged in some facilities from wearing protective equipment like masks because, according to some managers, this scares patients.

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Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)

For more information, contact:

Cassim Lekhoathi, Acting General Secretary

Cell: 082 328 9671