Day: January 26, 2023

Gauteng MEC for health and wellness condemns the inhumane treatment of health workers at a municipal clinic

The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has described as inhumane and vulgar the attack on health care workers at a municipal clinic in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni.

This comes after the MEC learned of a video that has been circulating on social media which shows an unhappy member of the public allegedly throwing urine at the staff at Calcot Dlephu Clinic who were on their lunch break. The incident happened on Friday, 20 January 2023.

“Irrespective of the complaint the member of the public might be having against the health workers, this cannot justify the attack on them. It is uncalled for and we condemn this vulgar act in the strongest possible terms,” states MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The MEC pointed out that resorting to violence and hurling of insults will ever be acceptable as there are recourse mechanisms such as escalating complaints and allegations to quality assurance people or the facility manager at the relevant service point.

Health care workers across the province have found themselves under attack from communities in recent times where some have even been robbed of their belongings and in other instances the attacks end up with patient care being severely hampered resulting in loss of life.

“I appeal to communities to work with us to end the attack on healthcare workers. On our part we have made a commitment to ensure that we improve patient experience of care at healthcare facilities,” states Nkomo-Ralehoko indicating that she has directed the department to investigate the matter and establish the facts around the incident to determine further course of action.

Source: Government of South Africa

Infants, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those who are on chronic medications are the most vulnerable to death as a result of exposure to extreme heat.

This is according to research conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and its partners.

The research, according to the SAMRC, draws a correlation between how the biological, environmental, medical, socio-behavioural and geographical effects of extreme heat exposure have had an adverse impact on morbidity and mortality in the most vulnerable communities in Africa.

According to the Chief Specialist Scientist at the SAMRC’s Environment and Health Research Unit (EHRU), Dr Caradee Wright, the majority of studies on the relationship between extreme heat exposure and morbidity and mortality have been carried out in high-income countries.

This comes as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal residents have been urged to prepare for temperatures as high as 39 degrees Celsius this week.

“The current extreme heat and heatwaves being experienced in January 2023 in South Africa pose a serious and concerning health threat to South Africans. We should take precautions such as drinking water regularly, if possible cooling arms and feet in a basin of water, using shade when outdoors and wearing a hat,” Wright said.

Where possible, the expert advised avoiding outdoors during the hottest time of the day in the afternoon.

“However, this might not be possible for outdoor workers. Outdoor workers should wear cool clothing and hats, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.”

Heat, according to the SAMRC, affects the human body by reducing its ability to regulate its temperature and keep cool by sweating.

As the body becomes too hot, a person may experience heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even hyperthermia. Irritability, lack of concentration, headaches and loss of ability to do skilled tasks or heavy work.

People vulnerable to heat either cannot self-regulate their internal “thermostat” or are faced with excess heat exposure, as is the case for people working outdoors.

“It is essential that outdoor workers and their employers are trained to recognise the symptoms of heat illnesses and impacts.”

Wright, who is also a Principal Investigator on the review, believes there are major gaps in knowledge about the effects of heatwaves on health outcomes among different sub-groups in low and middle-income countries.

“The few existing studies that address this topic for Africa largely focus on other continents and include selected African countries only as an add-on.”

The SAMRC’s EHRU conducted a study specific to heat resilience and coping mechanisms related to indoor and outdoor temperatures among 406 households in Limpopo where temperatures rose to above 40 degrees Celsius and 36 degrees Celsius indoors.

According to the study, most people perceived their homes to be too hot when temperatures were high outdoors and relied on recommended heat-health actions such as sitting outdoors in the shade or opening windows to try and keep cool.

“Resilience to heatwaves as a result of climate change requires more than personal action,” Wright explained.

“In light of climate threats and climate-related disaster risks facing South Africa, an all-encompassing approach, including education campaigns, climate-proofed housing, access to basic services, and financial considerations that will help support resilient coping among South Africans is urgently required.”

According to the study, preparedness and resilience are key as South African temperatures are expected to become warmer than the projected global average.

In addition, some parts of the country will experience dryness, while others will become wetter.

The study shows how there are not any certainties as to how much exactly and where temperatures will reach extremes such as heatwaves.

Heatwave is typically described as a consecutive period of hot days with temperatures above a given threshold.

Meanwhile, researchers indicate that there is evidence that global warming will lead to more frequent and extreme weather events such as heatwaves.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WESTERN CAPE – Bishop Lavis police are seeking the assistance of the public to assist them with their investigation in a hit and run incident.

On Thursday 25 August 2022, a 44 year old female sustained fatal injuries when she was knocked over by a motor vehicle on Robert Sobukwe Drive, close to Netreg. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. It is alleged that the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the scene of the accident and fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information who witnessed the incident is kindly requested to call the investigating officer Warrant Officer Rochelle Van Schalkwyk on 082 312 7221 or alternatively call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service