The Eastern Cape Department of Health has received a large consignment of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to be distributed at various health facilities to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Provincial Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba says hotspot areas such as the Nelson Mandela Metro, Buffalo City and the Chris Hani District will be prioritised.
“We had a meeting with the premier and he promised us that we’re awaiting stock that will be coming. So we’re giving that as evidence that the stock has arrived and that we’re distributing it. We’re pleading to our healthcare workers to really look after PPEs time and again because it is a scarce commodity and countries that are making this are holding to their stock,” says Gomba.
High demand, short supply of PPEs
Earlier this month, healthcare workers in Port Elizabeth hospitals said that they fear for their lives as they didn’t have the basic equipment to protect themselves.
In this video, Port Elizabeth healthcare workers strike over shortage of PPEs
There is a global demand for PPEs and even ventilators as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
In South Africa, healthcare bodies and unions have expressed concern about a lack of PPEs for frontline healthcare workers treating patients with the coronavirus.
The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa is currently at 4793. The Western Cape has the most cases with 1737, followed by Gauteng with 1353 cases.
Below is an infographic with the latest COVID-19 statistics:
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A statement released by the Department of Health reveals that the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga have the least number of cases with 17 and 26 cases, respectively.
#Covid_19 Statistics in South Africa as at 27 April 2020. pic.twitter.com/DPWhafTs7D
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 27, 2020
