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Nearly 30 doctors calling for the current harsh blockade to be relaxed say they see far greater harm to the health system and the economy by further delaying the inevitable spread of the virus.
In a signed letter, doctors praised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership for handling the outbreak so far, adding that they are now asking him to lift the “hard blockade.”
“As those who are most at risk once the pandemic takes off in South Africa, we do not request it lightly,” said the letter to Ramaphosa.
“We see much more damage to our health system and our economy by further delaying the inevitable spread of the virus. The ongoing ‘hard block’ is likely to cause far more suffering in the short and long term than the pandemic itself.”
The health system and economy were already on their knees to the outbreak of the virus, the letter said, and many of those who had not contracted it were not receiving the treatment they needed, as hospitals were emptied for patients with Covid-19. .
There was a misconception and “unfounded fear” that the virus was fatal and that the blockade would purge the country, said the letter, compiled by graduates of the 1993 MBChB class at the University of Cape Town.
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“This current fear has caused many people to dismiss the future of our country, which is currently at risk. SARS-CoV-2 is here to stay.”
“The truth is that people will die, but even more will recover. We will do our best as a country and medical fraternity to treat infected patients, but we must also begin to pay attention to the other diseases that have continued to progress relatively without treatment.” .
The virus had allowed a “moment of pause to reflect on many things,” such as medical care and support for the underprivileged, the letter added.
“While we hope the lessons learned will positively contribute to our new normalcy, it is time to press the play button again. If we start spinning the wheels soon, we have a chance to bounce back.”
“If we languish at the bottom of this well, we will do irreparable harm to our future and that of our children. Life must continue if we want to survive in any respectable way.”
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Nearly 30 doctors, from general practitioners, psychiatrists and researchers to surgeons, have signed the letter, which UCT alumni say was “informed by extensive discussions and the exchange of experiences and tests.”
This, the letter’s compilers said, was shared in their WhatsApp class group with doctors working in South Africa and around the world.
Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Tuesday night about ongoing talks on policies to ease the crisis economy.
“You have successfully galvanized unanimous support for the tremendous challenge we face as a country and specifically as the health profession.
“It has given the medical community time to prepare for the expected increase in seriously ill patients. The public has also been given a clear indication of the seriousness of the situation,” the Ramaphosa letter said.
“However, it has not eradicated our country’s anticipated pandemic, it has simply delayed it. While in Europe and North America, funds may be available to balance the number of critically ill patients with the number of hospital beds and ventilators; no We see this as a viable option for South Africa. “
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