Young doctor in the Covid-19 frontline
Johannesburg – A young medical doctor is of the view that everyone can make a difference in the fight against the corona virus.
Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile, 28, who is based at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital says the most important thing is not to panic.
“You are the frontline of defence in this pandemic,” she says.
She urges citizens that the fight against the virus requires effort from all areas of society, including young people.
“If you do all the right things to keep safe, then medical professionals or essential workers have less of a chance of being exposed to the virus; and because we are the last line of defence, we have a better chance of minimising the spread,” says Khanyile.
With the coronavirus known to cause respiratory infections and spread primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, Khanyile says the virus has significantly altered her work environment.
“Our entire approach towards patients with respiratory illnesses has changed. Our wards have had to be reallocated away from the age of our patients to low-risk and high-risk respiratory or non-respiratory cases. We’ve also had to carry our own alcohol based sanitiser, as well as wearing a surgical mask the entire work day, which may include having only two masks for a full 24 hour call,” said Khanyile.
Khanyile obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Witwatersrand in 2015.
She cut her teeth at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital before heading to Sebokeng Hospital in 2018.
Khanyile who traditionally wears eyeglasses, has had to trade in her sturdy eyeglasses for a pair of contact lenses.
“It has been challenging as I wear spectacles and have had to change to wearing contacts as my spectacles mist with the mask,” says Khanyile.
As part of the corona virus lockdown regulations, government has made it compulsory for all South Africans to wear cloth facemasks when out in public.
“The most rewarding part of my job has been the fact that I am able to help patients who need assistance more easily as hospitals are less busy with non-urgent or trauma-related complaints. I am able to spend more time understanding patient conditions and giving appropriate feedback,” she says.
Khanyile also highlighted the importance of arming herself with information. She adds that while the fight against the corona virus continues, young people must continue their studies to pursue their dreams.
“It is up to us to learn as much as we can now from our leaders in order to make wise decisions when it is our time to make laws when we take their places. It may seem like a long time from now but we are stronger together than alone,” she says. SAnews
