“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of KwaZulu-Natal during this extremely difficult time that has seen lives lost, people injured and extensive damage to property leaving many people without a roof over their heads amidst unusually heavy rainfall and floods.
“We would like the people of KZN to know that, as always, we are here to support them through this crisis and that we will continue to do the very best we can while ensuring their safety and that of our frontline heroes,” said Mande Toubkin, general manager emergency, trauma, transplant and CSI at Netcare.
“The closure of major roads in certain parts of Durban and surrounding areas due to flooding has unfortunately resulted in certain of our hospitals, Netcare Medicross and Netcare Prime Cure facilities becoming inaccessible, which at times has led to logistical difficulties with the transfer of patients and supplies,” she said.
Toubkin noted that Netcare 911’s emergency medical teams, as well as its helicopter emergency medical service, were helping to manage the difficult situation on the ground.
“Extensive contingency measures have been implemented within Netcare Group facilities and, where needed, have been implemented to provide individuals in need of medical assistance with the best and safest care possible.
“Like many other businesses, we have experienced some temporary challenges due to staff shortages as a result of some staff members not being able to reach their place of work, however Netcare’s hospitals remain open throughout KwaZulu-Natal. We have treated a number of people for conditions such as hypothermia and other injuries related to the flooding,” she noted.
Toubkin confirmed that Netcare currently has sufficient oxygen, medicines, food and water and is continuing to monitor supplies to ensure that the health of patients is in no way compromised.
According to Salome Liebenberg, general manager operations at Medicross a few Netcare Medicross and PrimeCure Medical and Dental Centres in KwaZulu-Natal were closed on Tuesday, but all have re-opened today with the exception of PrimeCure Bluff, where severe damage was experienced to the property.
Toubkin concluded by saying that staff within all Netcare operations are fully trained in the effective implementation of a major incident plan. “With the full support and cooperation of a well-prepared team, an entire evacuation procedure can be undertaken swiftly and in an orderly manner should it be necessary. We wish to thank Netcare 911 staff and management for their fantastic support and guidance throughout this challenging natural disaster.”
Ends
Notes to editor
Looking for a medical appointment? Netcare appointmed™ will make appointments for YOU with specialists practising at Netcare hospitals, GPs and dentists at Medicross medical and dental centres, and specialists at Akeso mental health facilities. Simply request an appointment online at www.netcare.co.za/Request-a-medical-appointment or phone Netcare appointmed™ on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00.
To find out more about the services offered through Netcare hospitals and other of the Group’s facilities, please visit www.netcare.co.za or contact the Netcare customer service centre either by email at [email protected] or phone 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273). Note that the centre operates Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 16:00.
For more information on this media release, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare
Contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster or Clemmy Forsthofer
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]