Coronavirus training on the Howard College campus.Health Sciences Provides COVID-19 Training
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Under the leadership of Professor Mosa Moshabela, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Public Health at UKZN, the College of Health Sciences has rolled out a University-wide intensive training programme in response to the outbreak of the Coronavirus in South Africa.
Staff, including occupational nurses, primary healthcare practitioners, health promoters, HIV counselors, administrative staff in the campus clinics and disability nurses from the University’s five campuses attended a workshop to develop procedures to deal with the Coronavirus. Organiser, Dr Velile Ngidi said the team plans to help practitioners develop and set up systems.
Dr Richard Lessells said the session also aimed to brainstorm ways to detect the virus without spreading it. He noted that those that attended the training know how their clinics work, thus ‘you need to help us help you.’
Explaining transmission of the virus to the campus practitioners, Dr Lilishia Gounder said it attaches to receptors in the lower respiratory tract and then causes a pneumonia like disease. She added that the elderly and those with chronic diseases are most at risk. A check list and a flow chart were agreed on and the use of N95 and surgical masks and the transportation of students presenting with symptoms were also discussed.
The practitioners appreciated the training and requested a follow up session to come up with further plans to bring campus staff up to date on the outbreak.
The health professionals’ workshop was followed by two trainings at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg to equip clinicians and students to deal with the Coronavirus in the various hospitals they are attached to. WATCH - UKZN COVID-19 Training.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
Photograph: Supplied