Covid-19 ward nurses share struggles

For three months at the height of Covid-19 last year, nurse Ncumisa Dyantyi had to remove her uniform and take a bath first before hugging her children every time she arrived home from work.

Dyantyi, who started working at Tembisa Hospital in May last year, told Sowetan of some of the difficulties she went through working in one of the three Covid-19 wards at the hospital as the country was about to sink into the first wave.

Dyantyi was among doctors, nurses and cleaners who were honoured by Tembisa Hospital on Thursday as they celebrated the facility’s six days of zero Covid-19 patient admission, which they achieved from October 31 to November 5. However, this feat was short-lived as they now have more than 20 Covid-19 patients in their wards. 

Dyantyi, who resides in Ivory Park with her two children aged eight and two, works between 36 and 44 hours a week.

“We have been working under difficult conditions. Since we started working with Covid-19 patients we never had a [social] function. We feel honoured and appreciated,” said Dyantyi.

Dyantyi recalled how working with personal protective equipment (PPE) was straining them.

“We had to constantly wear PPE. The face-shield was so disturbing. It’s too hot and makes you sweat and it’s very heavy. As you are running around in the ward and breathing heavily at the same time the face shield fogs up because of your breathing. It disturbs your vision,” said Dyantyi.

“There were times where I would see physically healthy people test positive for Covid-19 and die right in front of me. Those scenes were so emotional and physically draining. My family was also so scared of being close to me. When I got home from work my children would run away from me. I’d go and take off my uniform and bath before hugging and interacting with them. I did this for three months,” she said.

Mohlabe Winners, 46, said they were concerned about the fourth wave, which Gauteng has sunk in, as announced by the department of health this week.

“When you work as a nurse you are already a victim of Covid-19 but it's our duty to serve our institution and country. We will do whatever it takes to care for our patients,” said Winners.