DURBAN - Clairwood Hospital is the latest addition to KwaZulu-Natal's quarantine and isolation centres; Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu announced earlier today.
According to media reports, the province currently has 2141 isolation beds and 3479 quarantine beds available. These beds are situated in temporary quarantine facilities at the Royal Showgrounds, the Durban Exhibition Centre, the Amatikulu Training Centre, Coastlands Hotel in Dr Pixley Kaseme Street and Chaka’s Rock Chalets.
The MEC visited the hospital and joined by Head of Department Dr Sandile Tshabalala and representatives of organized labour. Simelane-Zulu said t
he Covid-19 facility, which was refurbished in just two months, will enable 154 patients to be isolated and about 40 to be quarantined.
"It also has technological advancements such as doors programmed to only permit entry for people with an appropriate temperature and who are wearing a mask; as well as a wash bay to sanitise ambulances immediately after dropping off Covid-19 patients,"
"Although we are also investing in field hospitals that will be placed in several venues such as the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show grounds and the Durban Exhibition Centre, renovating our own facilities was a must so that our facilities are useful for even after the pandemic. We also want to make sure that our facilites meet National Health Insurance (NHI) requirements so that they can be accredited," she said.
The MEC also announced the recruitment of thousands of various categories of employees who will work in Covid-19 wards for the next six months, and possibly beyond.
"In one of our biggest and most significant HR recruitment drives ever, we have, as of this week, advertised 4773 posts in the following categories; p
rofessional nurses, e nrolled nurses, general orderlies, ward clerks and ICU nurses.
The posts have been advertised on the Department's official website:
www.kznhealth.gov.za
,
" said the MEC.
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