Times Of Swaziland: CONFUSION AS OPD CLOSED AT GOVT HOSPITAL

CONFUSION AS OPD CLOSED AT GOVT HOSPITAL
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BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO on 15/01/2021 01:10:00


MBABANE – The Mbabane Government Hospital Out-Patient Department (OPD) has
been closed indefinitely.
Confusion reigned supreme yesterday as patients and nurses did not know what to
do as the only two rooms used for emergencies and consultations had accommodated
patients who tested positive for COVID-19.
What caused the misunderstanding was that the hospital continued to accept the
patients who paid for services, but when they reached the OPD, they were told
that it was closed.
An outpatient department is the part a hospital designed for treatment of
patients who may not require a bed or to be admitted overnight. This is not the
first time the OPD closes following suspected COVID-19 cases. About a week ago
patients were stranded as the department closed for almost two days.
Stranded
Nurses working at the OPD were stranded since Wednesday, after four suspected
cases of COVID-19 were identified and isolated in the area reserved for
outpatients. Following the surge in COVID-19 positive cases in the country, the
hospital administration transformed the entire OPD to isolate patients who
tested positive for the virus.  There was only one-room reserved for emergencies
and another for consultation of outpatients.
These too have also been taken, which has resulted in the nurses having no place
to attend to patients.
In an interview with some of the patients, they expressed their disappointment
in the hospital which is regarded as a referral and the biggest in the country.
They complained of poor communication, stating that they were made to stand in
the queue and pay for consultation, yet the hospital was aware of the service
interruption.
Most of the patients said they were hoping to see doctors for their various
ailments which was why they had opted to visit the hospital.
Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) National Organising Secretary
Mayibongwe Masangane, said it was unfortunate that at the end of the day, the
patients suffered. Masangane said the challenge was that government was slow
when it came to responding to critical issues.
He said what was challenging the most was that the COVID-19 patients were
accruing with other general patients who visited the hospital for other
ailments. This, he said, was not good as people who visited the hospital were
sick and had a compromised immune system. Masangane said mixing of the patients
was risky as they were bound to get infected with the virus. “This means all
our hospitals will become COVID-19 superspreaders.”  He noted that the elderly
people who came to refill their diabetes and blood pressure medication were the
most vulnerable. Masangane said it was a daunting task for the health workers as
well, adding that going forward, the clinics too should be ready to receive
COVID-19 cases as well. “As SWADNU, we sympathise with the members of the
public who will not be receiving the services that they require,” said the
organising secretary.
However, he noted that what compounded the challenges was the fact that the
COVID-19 outbreak emerged in March last year when the country was not prepared.
He said even after the cases dropped before the second wave started, the country
relaxed instead of upping its game in terms of preparedness. “With the current
second wave, it also shows that the level of preparedness is at its lowest.”
Masangane noted that facilities which were admitting COVID-19 patients were only
two in the country and had recently started as well in the private facilities
and the regional hospitals.
When reached for comment, the Director of Health Services, Dr. Vusi Magagula,
said the hospital was still trying to identify an alternative place to
accommodate the OPD wing. At the  moment, he said they were still searching and
hoped the issue would be resolved soon. Magagula said patients could use the
nearest clinics and hospitals and try to reduce visiting hospitals unless they
really needed to see a doctor.