Durban university of technology’s (DUT’s) COVID-19 response task team in partnership with Ethekwini and Provincial Departments of Health, were able to vaccinate over 60 staff and students from the Faculty of Health Sciences as well as those over 60 years at the St Aidans Provincial Hospital on Tuesday 25 May 2021.
This breakthrough was facilitated by DUT’s DVC: Teaching and Learning, Prof Sibiya in consultation with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Coordinator, Ms Penny Dladla. Sister Soori Wardthen from the DUT Student Health Services worked in close partnership with the Nursing Services Manager, sister Shamla Pillay from the St Aidans Hospital to ensure a smooth, comfortable, and highly successful vaccination drive.
Prof Sibiya provided sterling leadership and motivation to all those who were present and was the first person to be vaccinated as she led charge for the launch of the DUT vaccination campaign. She was then followed by the DUT Registrar, Dr Thiru Pillay, and others.
“I feel great because I have been looking forward to this, and I wish for everyone to get vaccinated too. I encourage everyone to get the jab. The process is not painful, you do not leave immediately after you have vaccinated but rather wait for a few minutes for observation purposes,” explained Sibiya.
Dr Pillay also spoke highly of his experience on the vaccination process. “I am happy that I finally got it done. This is a good step to maintaining your health for yourself, your family and all those around you. I would recommend that everybody goes for it,” he said.
Two of the Health Sciences students that received their vaccination as well, Caryn Boucher and Sebastian De Klerk commented on how important it is to get vaccinated, more especially to health care service providers.
“I enjoy the idea of safety. In my course, we often work with patients and COVID-19 patients, so it is essential for us to protect ourselves as much as possible,” said De Klerk.
“As soon as I heard about the vaccine, I was gearing to get one as soon as possible. I think it is important that we, as healthcare students get the vaccine because a lot of our fellow students look up to us whether or not to follow trains that are occurring,” said Boucher.
The DUT Covid-19 Response Task Team is fully committed and passionate about ensuring a safe, healthy, and Covid-19 free working environment for the entire DUT community. “This Covid-19 Vaccination campaign would go a long way to protecting all our members and promoting the Health, well-being, and safety of those who are still awaiting vaccination. We are negotiating regular weekly Vaccination sessions at St Aidans hospital, for all those over 60 years; and those who are front-line Health Care Workers (HCW),” said Prof Jinabhai, DUT’s Acting Health Sciences Coordinator.
Prof Jinabhai, humbly passed some words of appreciation to those who participated. “We wish to also place on record our sincere appreciation to Mrs Shamla Pillay and her Team at St Aidans Hospital in not only accepting us warmly, but also ensuring a smooth and speedy vaccination process.
Finally, we wish to encourage all Staff over the age of 60 years and all those Health Care Workers in our FOHS to Register on the EVDS system and to submit your names to Dr Pillay and sister Wardthen to allow the Task Team to schedule future vaccinations”.
An important requirement before vaccination is that everybody must register on the EVDS and have a SMS notification confirming their registration.
Picture 2: Prof Sibiya, Dr Pillay and Healthcare Workers at St Aidans Hospital.
Picture 2: Prof Sibiya getting vaccinated
Picture 3: Registra Dr Pillay getting vaccinated
Picture 4: Health Sciences Students
Nikiwe Sukazi
