Community care workers put their lives on the line to save SA!

By Nomacebo Mbayo

Community care worker Nowhi Mdayi distributing masks at KTC day hospital.

Employed by various non-governmental organisations that are funded by the Department of Health, community care workers, the vast majority of whom are women, offer essential health and social services to the poorest of the poor. They work in homes and clinics and they render basic wound care, TB and HIV treatment, empathy, care and rehabilitation to those in desperate need. Some are even volunteers who are driven by the dream of a country with proper health care service. 

Working conditions

These are people who are doing voluntary work if not underpaid. Working conditions are often very dangerous as they have to go door to door not knowing what to expect. With little resources sometimes none at all for the love of the community these workers continue to sacrifice and put their lives on the line during COVID-19.

You may have seen them in your community before not knowing their role. May being worker’s month we should be celebrating them and take our hats off for community care workers otherwise known as onompilo.

Regardless of the poor conditions and unsafe space, health workers have put their lives on the line during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist save the nation. 

According to Nowhi Mdayi, Guguletu health activist, they have experienced a lot of  challenges in testing in Gugulethu “because of a limited number that must be tested”. The tests are conducted by the Desmond Tutu foundation and took place in Gugulethu on the 23rd of April continued in Barcelona and the New Cross Road the next day on the 24th of April. Testing started at 9AM to 3PM and community members had to be turned back because they can’t allow more. “This is a problem people were shouting  not understanding why they must turn back only 150 people were allowed to test meanwhile communities are willing to test and get treatment if need be.” said Nowhi.