Jacques du Plessis, managing director of Netcare’s hospital division today issued a special word of thanks to the communities of South Africa’s coastal regions for their kind and generous ongoing support, particularly over the past year and a half.
“Thank you for entrusting your healthcare needs to us. The healthcare workers at our hospitals have been deeply touched by the outpouring of support from residents and businesses in Netcare’s Coastal regions – from KZN to Cape Town and to Gqeberha and beyond. Your messages of appreciation and encouragement, prayers, kindness and gifts carried us and energised us during challenging times,” he added.
We are as always, fully dedicated to your health
According to Du Plessis, many specialists have raised concern that some patients still appear to be hesitant about visiting healthcare facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that many serious, existing conditions are therefore not appropriately managed.
“This is most disturbing, because if an injury or ailment is left untreated it is much more likely to lead to avoidable, long-term health consequences.
“We therefore urge you to take good care of your health, particularly if you have chronic health conditions, and would like to emphasise the importance of staying in touch with your doctors to ensure that your chronic conditions are properly managed. Please prioritise your health, especially if you already live with a potentially serious chronic medical condition,” noted Du Plessis.
“We also encourage the public to seek healthcare from their general practitioners early on when they start feeling unwell, especially if they experience difficulty breathing. When people delay seeking medical attention until their condition is serious, unfortunately there is a greater risk of less favourable outcomes.
Comprehensive safety precautions in place
He assured the public that Netcare is continuing to maintain the safest environment possible and are committed to providing the best care for all patients, while ensuring the safety of our frontline staff, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. “In addition, you will find it reassuring to know that hospitals are safer than most spaces, as we have been managing viruses and infections long before the emergence of COVID-19.
“Our healthcare facilities continue to demonstrate an abundance of caution with comprehensive COVID-19 precautionary measures and adherence to strict infection prevention and control policies,” said Du Plessis.
Investing in vital caring resources
Du Plessis added that the Netcare Group was monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely countrywide, and is adjusting its strategy to make the most effective use of healthcare resources while maintaining an abundance of caution as Covid-19 cases, particularly in Gauteng, continue to increase.
“Netcare hospitals will never turn away a patient in need of emergency care, and given the experience we gained in the first and second waves, Netcare is well equipped to ensure that the Group maximise its ability to provide the necessary care,” he asserted.
“We have invested substantially in additional lifesaving medical equipment, including ventilators, oxygenators, and high flow nasal devices, and have also increased our onsite oxygen capacity to meet the unprecedented demand that we have experienced during the first and second waves of the pandemic. We have also invested in personal protective equipment (PPE) to appropriately protect all patients, and healthcare workers.
“During the peak of the second wave, the Netcare Family Connect Line was launched as a dedicated support line to keep next-of-kin informed on the status of their loved ones who have been hospitalised with COVID-19, and to facilitate direct communication between patients and their families where possible. Social workers, together with patient liaison officers provide support to patients and their families, while healthcare workers focus solely on their clinical and nursing duties. This service is still in place and proves to be very valuable and reassuring to those families that have made use of it,” he added.
It’s in your hands
“Remember, everyone has a responsibility to protect their own and their family’s health. This includes taking COVID-19 extremely seriously and remaining as cautious as ever. Please remain vigilant and closely adhere to COVID-19 precautions including washing hands regularly and thoroughly, adhering to social distancing, and always wearing a mask in public and in the presence of others, avoiding large social gatherings and crowded places with poor ventilation,” concluded Du Plessis.
Ends
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare
Contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster or Clementine Forsthofer
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]