I am writing this letter after spending 10 days in Settlers Hospital, as I was infected with Covid-19. I almost lost the battle to the virus due to short breath and other associated complications. There were also challenges on the part of the Hospital that need addressing, but I’m confident under the stewardship of [acting CEO]Sr Ngesi that can they be speedily sorted , She seems like someone who knows what she is doing and her best quality is that she is down to earth and she listens.
I went to Settlers Hospital very sick after I was [initially]turned away. I developed breathing problems and I was 100% dependent on oxygen.
Problems started on the first day I was admitted. In the middle of the night, our oxygen supply cut off. It was a very bad situation: you could hear cries all over – patients crying because they couldn’t breathe. I experienced my first attack when I [could hardly]breathe.
The nurses on duty were running all over: they were even praying in between, as there were nothing they could do without the oxygen supply. They tried to calm us, but it was impossible because we saw our end as we were suffocating.
The nurses on duty tried their utmost best to phone the guys who deal with oxygen. Those guys were ready to come and help, but their problem was how are they going to come to the hospital in the middle of the night from Joza. Their challenge was transport.
We struggled for some time as the nurses on duty tried to come up with plans. They asked the husband of one of the staff members to fetch the guys and he agreed. Oxygen was restored after a few hours.
It is an ongoing problem which if not addressed immediately is gonna cause a lot of loss of lives.
* The oxygen capacity needs to be upgraded in the hospital so it can be equal to the demand.
* They need to train more people to deal with the oxygen changing;
* They must provide a car for those guys on standby so when they are needed in hospital they can be there in no time;
* They must try to recruit more experienced staff to [back up]their staff – more especially in those Covid-19 wards: nurses are not complaining there and they give their all – but they’re short-staffed and their conditions are unbearable.
* The oxygen capacity needs to be upgraded in the hospital so it can be equal to the demand.
* They need to train more people to deal with the oxygen changing;
* They must provide a car for those guys on standby so when they are needed in hospital they can be there in no time;
* They must try to recruit more experienced staff to [back up]their staff – more especially in those Covid-19 wards: nurses are not complaining there and they give their all – but they’re short-staffed and their conditions are unbearable.
I salute all the Health workers , I think I have been taking them for granted for too long – but now I know they are true angels who are overworked. It would be remiss if I don’t highlight the names of Sisters Bharu, Mxoli and another Sister who is the night-shift partner of Sr Bharu.
BoMama, you are the true servants of our people! You didn’t take you oath for granted: you are the hope that our people need in Settlers Hospital. The love you have for your work and patients, it’s out of this world: I Salute you, Sr Bharu, Si Mxoli, Dr (Cuban), and other health workers Nobulumko Zani and many others, thank you! Also to Nomawethu Ngqoyiya – enkosi for making sure we got hot coffee in the middle of the night and early in the morning. Enkosi Sisi!
Health workers in Settlers Hospital are hard-working individuals and I just wish they can get support so they can be able to do their work.
I’m writing this letter very emotionally, as I also feel my rights as a patient were infringed in the name of gagging me. I raised problems about conditions in Settlers, but the Department dedicated their time labelling me instead of trying to address the true elephant in the room.
I won’t be silenced about the truth and my loyalty will always remain with our people wherever I feel their rights are infringed.
Xabiso Ngqawana,
Covid-19 survivor
