If not, maybe you should be, says Life Healthcare Group CEO Peter Wharton-Hood.
Here are the facts.
Statistics from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases show that 1 in 6 people who are admitted to hospital with Covid-19, will die. This is more than double the rate for people admitted to hospital with cardiac issues.
Close to half of patients who are admitted to ICU will succumb to the virus. For patients who are ventilated, two-thirds will die. This isn’t an indication of a healthcare system inadequately prepared to deal with the virus. It’s not a reflection on the quality of care provided by individual hospitals.
Covid-19 isn’t taking a holiday. And with the different regions experiencing unprecedented infection spikes, those on the front lines; the nurses, medics, doctors, operations and support teams, will not get the rest that they so deserve.
This year has stretched those in the healthcare industry to unimaginable emotional and physical lengths. Yet, throughout it all, each day they continue to protect the citizens of this country from a pandemic that has torn families apart and put hundreds of thousands of people out of work.
The impact of these statistics on healthcare workers, hospital staff and high-risk individuals is astronomical and cannot be ignored. Our healthcare professionals take an oath to look after everyone needing medical care, but now, more than ever, they need our support.
Although the healthcare system is actively responding to the increased demand, human resources and equipment are finite, and there are constraints on the numbers of patients that can be cared for within our facilities.
If people do not change their behaviour, then the entire healthcare system, public and private, will be unable to cope – as we have seen in other countries.
During wave 1, South Africans thanked all hospitals and frontline workers for their unwavering dedication. We believe that now, more than ever, it is every individual’s turn to fight alongside our frontline workers, in any way we can to help curbing the spread and for us to be the heroes in doing so.
This Christmas, pause for a moment. Spare a thought for those working in hospitals around the country. Give them the gift of life. Be responsible, wear a mask; sanitise and socially distance.
Peter Wharton-Hood is Group CEO of the Life Healthcare Group. Views expressed are his own.