“We must be vigilant, wear your mask” urge community health workers

Community health workers are on the frontlines in the fight against the Coronavirus and have urged residents to remain vigilant.

On 7 September 2020, several community-oriented primary care workers handed out masks in the communities of Fisantekraal and Klipheuwel.

Nozipho Nyakatya goes from door-to-door daily to provide home-based care services in the community of Phisantekraal. She has urged members of the public to continue wearing masks.

“We have to remind the elders and their children. The kids sometimes see their parents not wearing masks, so they may not see the point. COVID-19 still exists, so we need to remind communities of this.”

Nozipho aims to raise awareness and hopes that more people will adhere to regulations on wearing masks.

“Protect yourself and your loved ones. How can we protect ourselves when we are not wearing masks? I have to remind people every day.”

Her colleague Nosisi Peter engaged with the community while handing out masks and says washing your reusable cloth mask is important.

“Wear your masks and don’t forget to wash them. If you can, change your masks. It is good to keep them clean.”

Masks were also handed out in the community of Klipheuwel, where several children gathered to collect theirs along with bowls of soup.

Sister Le-Anne Valentyn works in the area as a community-oriented primary care worker and helped the children to put on their new masks. She’s often the go-to person when community members need healthcare and says the community is keen to learn more about the coronavirus.

“We offer many services, from child health services to family planning and TB healthcare. For COVID-19, we have done door-to-door visits to educate people about the virus. We offer pamphlets too and they’re not hesitant to learn.”

For Valentyn, the best part of her job is bringing healthcare services to people’s doors. “When the patients thank me, because they’re far from services, I am often their point of collection or provide health services. That makes me happy.”

The mask donation drive forms part of the Western Cape Government’s Hotspot intervention and is  a collaboration between the Western Cape Departments of Health and Cultural Affairs and Sport and the City of Cape Town.

The Health Department urges the public to continue hand washing, wearing masks and social distancing, as the fight as the coronavirus is not over. Wearing a mask can help to protect you and those around from contracting the virus.