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GroundUp reports that emergency medical services (EMS) workers in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, resorted to using plastic sheets, duct tape and bed covers to protect themselves while transporting patients at the weekend.
But, the Western Cape health department says that workers have been given sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). On Saturday, about 30 EMS workers based in Khayelitsha went on strike, demanding that they be given adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The group resumed work on Monday after meeting with management to discuss their concerns. Charlotte Clarke, an intermediate life support practitioner at Eastern division who was one of the strikers, explained her concerns: “Right now we use the face visor, mask, gloves and an apron. This is not enough. We need the A40 suit that gives full protection to do hospital transfers, as well as suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases. But we were told by management that we can’t use the A40 for home calls and suspected cases; that it’s only for confirmed cases.” National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) shop steward Nomveliso Matiwane indicated that paramedics did not feel safe with only masks, aprons and gloves. “Our protective gear is not adequate. The A40 suit covers the whole body,” she pointed out. But Deanna Bessick of the provincial health department advised that the PPE guidelines for EMS staff were based on the medical evidence.
- Read the full original of the GroundUp report in the above regard by Vincent Lali and Barbara Maregele at TimesLIVE
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page