Eastern Cape not struggling for Covid-19 beds – Gomba
Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba has refuted claims that public hospitals in Nelson Mandela Bay were full and that Covid-19 patients were being turned away amid a surge in cases.
On Wednesday, Gomba led an inter-ministerial health team to address the increase in Covid-19 cases in the province, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay, Sarah Baartman District and Buffalo City.
According to Gomba, there is no crisis in the province’s public health sector.
"I am saying as public hospitals, we are not short of beds in Nelson Mandela Bay," she said.
"The issue of Livingstone is one example where we've got 73 beds, but at the same time, we've got 38 ICU beds. Even the 38 ICU beds are just about 50% occupied, so we've got beds. All our beds are oxygenated, such that we even have a portable ventilator at Livingstone."
Gomba said beds are also available for Covid-19 patients at Empilweni TB hospital, which was recently renovated as well as the VW Field Hospital.
Beds were added to top up on the 2 100 Covid-19 beds available in Nelson Mandela Bay.
"This is why I felt I needed to explain that the narrative that was carried meant that we are short of beds, it's not true," Gomba said.
"It was unfortunate that we are not differentiating between private beds and public beds. In terms of public beds, we have space that is waiting."
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"Eastern Cape 45, Free State 20, Gauteng 19, Kwa-Zulu Natal 10, Northern Cape 5 and Western Cape 16. "This brings the total to 21 083 deaths," says Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in his daily report. "We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health- care workers that treated the deceased patients," said Mkhize.
Regarding staff shortages, the department said it was moving to address this by appointing doctors and nurses at Mpilisweni, Dora Nginza and Livingstone hospitals.
The inter-ministerial team is also expected to visit taverns, which Gomba described as a cause for concern.
"Taverns found to be violating regulations may be closed or fined," she said.
Meanwhile, the latest report from the Eastern Cape Department of Health on Tuesday evening showed that there were 1 362 cases and 45 deaths, taking the cumulative numbers of cases and deaths to 120 052 and 4 424 respectively.
"The number of active cases was 8 512, where 77.4% were from Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Sarah Baartman Municipality and 19.8% from Buffalo City Metro.
“The Department of Health said as of 23 November, 15 389 (patients) were hospitalized, where 68% of these occurred in the public sector and 32% in the Private Sector."
The Eastern Cape government's provincial executive council is also meeting on Wednesday with the battle against Covid-19 top of the agenda.
