6 December 2007
Cofimvaba Hospital, which was ravaged by a storm, is carrying on despite the
damage caused by the storm.
According to Njaba who is the Health District Manager, twenty two
tuberculosis (TB) patients were sent to Mjanyana Hospital, ten sent to Frontier
Hospital and two to Elliot. She added that the maternity ward was not affected
and that mothers were delivering babies as usual. The patients that were due
for discharge had been discharged, she added.
The OPD, X-Ray, theatre, pharmacy, kitchen, mortuary, boiler house and the
laundry were all operational, she commented.
She said that people had been given treatment and had been seen by the
nurses despite the damage.
Electricity had gone all over Cofimvaba but the department sent an
electrician to fix the problem in the hospital.
A generator is operating serving the theatre, mortuary and OPD. The
department sent an additional generator to help in the hospital. Cadac lights
were sent by Disaster Management of Chris Hani Municipality.
Contractors were also onsite and had given an undertaking to fix the damage
as speedily as possible in order to ameliorate the problem.
Njaba extended the department's gratitude to Boxer SuperMarket of Cofimvaba
who gave two Cadac lights and food parcels to patients transferred to other
hospitals.
Njaba also calmed down fears and assured everyone that neither staff members
nor patients were hurt during the storm. All staff reported at work displaying
their commitment to service delivery.
The Mayor of Intsika Yethu, Plata and the Hospital Board commended the staff
of Cofimvaba Hospital for their commitment and encouraged them to continue
working mindful of the difficulties and challenges.
The MEC of Health Nomsa Jajula also commended the staff of Cofimvaba
Hospital for their commitment. "The staff exemplify and embody the principles
which we as a department espouse," she said.
It's amazing that no one was hurt, the MEC commented. She praised members of
her department for their speedy response to the crisis and recognised Emergency
Medical Services who responded promptly when called upon by the hospital to
transport patients who needed serious attention to nearby hospitals.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
6 December 20007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
