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The Eastern Cape Health Department bowed to pressure from unions to close the Zwide Clinic in Port Elizabeth, GroundUp reported.
The closure on Monday morning comes after 11 staff members tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. A nurse also died a few weeks ago.
Clinic staff have been demanding that everyone be tested and that the clinic be closed by fumigation. Some nurses who have already been evaluated still await their results at home.
The department said closing the clinic would leave many patients without health services.
Health unions claimed that the department’s Covid-19 Standard Operating Plan (SOP) was negligent and that the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) posed an even greater risk to both the clinic and the Zwide community.
On Monday, security guards advised dozens of patients outside the facility to go to another clinic. Only staff members were allowed inside the facility.
‘Feeling tired’
Mziyanda Twani, provincial secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said a few weeks ago that a nurse went home because she felt exhausted. She took a nap and never woke up, she said. It was later tested and found to be Covid-19 positive.
“The staff demanded that everyone be tested for Covid-19 and the clinic cleaned. However, the cleaning company only cleaned the pharmacy where the deceased member worked. They did not clean the entire building. This was the weekend of the May 2 and 3. The rest of the staff returned to work on May 4, even though they still did not know the results of their tests, “he said.
“On Thursday, May 7, results began to arrive, confirming that a staff member was positive. On Friday, all health unions asked the district to close the clinic, send staff home, and have the disinfection team re-clean the entire clinic, “Twani said.
In response to this plea, the department released its Standard Operational Plan, which Twani says states that all health workers who have been screened for the coronavirus should continue to work until they get their results, even if they have been in contact with a Covid – 19 positive patient.
“We have a severe shortage of PPE. We do not have enough gloves or masks. We wear a mask all day and there are more than 500 patients in and out per day. This is a serious risk to us and the patients.
“We are pleased that the clinic is closed, but the department must ensure that patients receive their treatments,” said Twani.
One of the patients outside the clinic on Monday, Tamara Sibhaca, said: “I am disappointed. I gave birth on Friday and I was supposed to bring my baby here for a checkup. But now the guards tell me to go. Veeplaas Clinic, which is always full. “
Dr. Litha Matiwane, provincial deputy director general for health services, confirmed to GroundUp on Sunday that the facility would be closed for “deep decontamination.”
“I can’t say when it will reopen because we are testing the 42 staff members. The duration will also be determined by the publication of the results.”
Matiwane said the tracking and testing teams will ensure that people who came in contact with the staff, who tested positive, are also evaluated.
Regarding the concerns about PPE raised by unions, Matiwane said: “PPE is a constant struggle and is rare worldwide. Aprons are part of the SOP. There is nothing wrong with wearing a mask all day long. “
Matiwane advised patients to visit nearby clinics, which include the KwaZakhele, Soweto-on-Sea, Max Madlingozi and Veeplaas clinics. He said that mobile clinics can also be used to complement services.
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