Mbabane: The Ministry of Health say the Lubombo Referral Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of eight (8) beds is now full to capacity with COVID-19 patients who are critically ill and presented with underlying conditions.
Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula told a local publication that currently have ventilators for the unit but there is no enough space, while the Lubombo Referral Hospital is the only facility that provides high care to COVID-19 patients. Magagula said the government is working on procuring more beds to at least increase them to 20 so to accommodate patients with underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma among other illnesses.
Minister of Health Lizzy said they have partnered with private clinics to assist in the fight against COVID-19 more especially in providing Intensive care to patients. Nkosi said patients who had medical aid cover are already able to access services at the private clinics and moreover the Luke Commission has also provided high care service to patients who did not have medical aid cover.
Furthermore, Nkosi said the ministry of Health is currently working on expanding the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre to be a bigger center as they have high care equipment there and looking at identifying space where they could be fitted. She added that Mavuso Centre had 49 ventilators for critically ill patients and they have also received five more ventilators which were donated by Galp.
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