Health

Gift of the Givers to help hospitals with discounted Covid-19 tests

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:57 pm

South African non-profit orgasiation Gift of the Givers has put plans in place to bolster public health care services by offering discounted Covid-19 tests at some hospitals.

While the health system is facing a daunting task of tending to thousands suspected of having or diagnosed with the deadly virus, Gift of the Givers head Imtiaz Sooliman said they were trying to “augment public health services”.

“Providing affordable testing is [an] essential aspect of the management process. Gift of the Givers has set up a facility in Johannesburg for the purpose at the discounted, subsidised rate of R750.”

He said this would include consultation, specimen collection, courier charges, lab testing in a National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) approved, SANAS accredited laboratory, and that the admin costs related to feeding back to the NICD.

Our second test site in Roshnee and the third site at Ahmed Al Kadi Hospital in Durban will be up and running later this week.”

Helping healthcare workers

Sooliman said they would also aim to assist healthcare workers who are under severe strain during the pandemic.

“[We are] supporting medical professionals with protective wear, supplying relevant essential medical equipment and providing medical consumables to the institutions in urgent need.”

He said there were “requests from all quarters” for N-95 protective masks, 3-tier lower-cost masks for selected patients, scrub suits, hand sanitisers, disinfectant, sterile gloves, disposable sterile gowns, goggles, visors, ventilators and related equipment.

Sooliman said they would also provide tents, protective wear and consumables for Chris Hani Baragwanath, Raheema Moosa and Helen Joseph hospitals upon their request.

“They want these tents outside the existing hospital infrastructure to reduce risk to the other patients who may be immunocompromised.

We have funded this already at R700 000 per month. Installation is tomorrow.”

He said Gift of the Givers would also drill boreholes for key sites like schools and hospitals.

“[This is so we can] deliver clean water for drinking and hygiene seven days a week. We have three water tankers for the purpose.”

(News24)

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Africa and GCC Trade Doubles to $121 Billion

Trade between African and GCC countries stands at $ 121 billion in 2023, double of what it was in 2016.…

December 21, 2024

Families in Mayotte rebuilding their homes complain of lack of help

Family members struggling after one week after  of Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness…

December 21, 2024

Ethiopian PM Inaugurates UAE-Funded Orphanage in Oromia

The United Arab Emirates has launched its orphanage project in Ethiopia's Oromia region on the orders of President Sheikh Mohamed…

December 21, 2024

A Rising Femicide Threat, Kenya’s Call to End Gender Based Violence

In just four months, 100 women have been killed, the majority by males they knew including spouses. Prime Cabinet Secretary…

December 20, 2024

Actor C Confion has passed away

The Ghanaian entertainment industry is in deep mourning following the sudden death of Bright Owusu, better known as C Confion.…

December 20, 2024

South Africa: 512 Accident Deaths and 941 Arrested for Drunk Driving Just on December Month

Since the beginning of December more than five hundred people have lost their lives on the nation's highways. Barbara Creecy,…

December 19, 2024

This website uses cookies.