After the President’s announcement of a national lockdown on 26 March and Government’s decision to introduce expanded screening and testing to augment COVID-19 emergency health interventions, an understanding of the readiness of health facilities in Gauteng to roll out screening and testing services has been identified as a key priority in delivering on this mandate.
Members of the team developed a Facility Screening and Testing Preparedness Tool with fields to collect both qualitative and quantitative data (patient flow, management data and supervisory visits). A 3-day rapid assessment was then conducted in PHC facilities across four districts in the Province.
According to Prof Motaung, the broader survey sampling, which will start soon, will be rolled out in multi-stages, including districts, wards and facilities.
Prof Motaung added that the Gauteng Department of Health is offering Masters and Doctorate students an opportunity to act as field workers for the COVID-19 community survey tool. They will receive a stipend and will also be tested for COVID-19 before they can start.
Students interested in this opportunity should contact her before 23 April 2020 via email at motaungsckm@tut.ac.za.