MSF Opens New COVID-19 Khayelitsha Field Hospital in Partnership with Health Dept

Publisher:
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Publication Date:
1 June 2020
Tags:
South Africa, Coronavirus, Governance, Health and Medicine, NGOs and Civil Society

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) alongside South African Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize, officials from the Western Cape Government, Khayelitsha District Hospital and City of Cape Town, today launched a temporary 60-bed COVID-19 treatment facility, to meet the needs of the local community during the pandemic. Established in a City of Cape Town-owned community sports centre, the Khayelitsha Field Hospital will function as an extension of the adjacent Khayelitsha District Hospital, essentially expanding its capacity to treat moderate to severe COVID-19 cases. The facility will be operational from 01 June for three months and will have a full complement of medical staff. The facility is one of several Department of Health "intermediate care bed facilities" and will operate during the time of the projected peak of transmission in the Cape Metropolitan area. The Khayelitsha Field Hospital managed by MSF medical staff will offer inpatient care, access to all essential drugs to manage co-morbidities and oxygen supply to support to patients with breathing difficulties. It is not an Intensive Care facility, and sicker patients will be referred for intensive care units within the city as needed. Khayelitsha Field Hospital is primarily for patients from the Khayelitsha community but may accept patients from other areas depending on capacity.

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