‘Recently, my daughter had contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. She isolated and, at some point, had a sore throat. She wanted to be sure, so she went for a Covid PCR test. She arrived at the testing site at 8am and waited in her car for an hour and a half listening to a podcast. The test was quick. She went home and, eight hours later, she got an SMS with the results. Thankfully, she was negative,’ writes Harriet Perlman. Tshabalira Lebakeng’s experience, however, was very different. From the time of feeling unwell to finally getting his Covid-19 test results took seven days.
Two weeks ago, I was not feeling well. On Sunday, 5 December, I started to cough badly. I thought I would be better but on Monday I was still coughing.On Tuesday, I left home at 4am. I go to the clinic fairly regularly for my diabetes medication. I know patients start to line up outside as early as 4am in summer.When I got to the clinic, I was number 26 in the queue.
In that line behind me was a 20-year-old man, Ntando. He was also from Diepkloof. He works at the BP garage. He is a funny guy. He told me he came to the clinic last Monday and told the nurse he was feeling dizzy. He wanted to be checked. The nurse told him “you just like attention. Maybe you are just hungry.” But he said he was feeling very dizzy. When the nurse checked him, she found that his blood pressure was very high.I asked him why he’s back at the clinic.
The nurse began to chat loudly to her friend who was coming on duty. “I want to take an early retirement. I’ve had enough of seeing these people,” she told her. Her friend replied: “Me, I am stuck with these people. My kids are still young.”It was now 11am. The next day – Tuesday, 7 December – I decided to go to Clicks at Diepkloof Square. My friend told me they do testing. When I got there, the lady at security told me they are not doing Covid tests. She said if I wanted to go to a private hospital, I could get a test for R800.So, on Thursday, 9F**k them! I am going back. They must help me. I didn’t even take a bath. I was determined to try to get a test sooner.
“Sisi! Sisi please,” the nurse said. “I didn’t lose your results. Can’t you see I am dealing with these people. If you are not happy with our service delivery, go get a test at a private doctor.”A second man complained. He looked humble. He told the testing nurse that he comes from inside the clinic and they told him his results are missing.“But at work they want those results,” the man pleaded.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
People urged to get jabs against COVID-19The department of health remains concerned about the low number of vaccinations.
Read more »
Covid-19 hospital cases up 70% in past week‚ but actual numbers very lowOmicron is now in more than 76 countries across the globe
Read more »
Western Cape Health Department speaks on COVID-19 situationeNCA anchor Shahan Ramkissoon speaks to Dr Keith Cloete, Head of the Western Cape Health Department. Courtesy DStv403
Read more »
SA records more than 20,000 new Covid-19 cases, 35 deaths in 24 hoursOf the new cases, Gauteng recorded the highest number (5,850), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (5,134) and the Western Cape (3,655).
Read more »
LOCKDOWN BABIES: The women navigating pregnancy, birth and motherhood during the Covid-19 pandemicA South African study highlights the experiences of parents navigating birth and postpartum care during Covid-19.
Read more »
Scientists detect rapidly rising Covid-19 fragments in rural waste waterThe SA Medical Research Council’s waste water surveillance team has detected rapidly rising concentrations of Covid-19 fragments in samples collected from facilities in rural areas.
Read more »