Al-Qalam 
By Sana Ebrahim
An unprecedented surge in the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa has meant that hospitals are already filled to capacity. Home based care is the only other alternative and the Islamic Medical Association (IMA-SA) has stepped in to ease the extreme discomforts faced by Covid-19 patients.
Oxygen is of vital significance when patients’ survival is necessary. Oxygen concentrators filter surrounding air, compressing it to the required density and then delivering purified medical grade oxygen into a pulse-dose delivery system or continuous stream system to the patient.
The machines are equipped with special filters and sieve beds which help remove Nitrogen from the air to ensure delivery of completely purified oxygen to the patient. The devices also come with an electronic user interface so that the levels of oxygen concentration and delivery settings can be adjusted. The oxygen is then inhaled through the nasal cannula or special mask.
The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) in Durban can provide oxygen concentrator machines to Covid-19 positive patients who face the following challenges:
(1) Those who are either discharged from hospital and require supplementation of oxygen at home.
(2) Or those patients who cannot find beds in hospital but are desperate for oxygen therapy at home.
There is a procedure to be followed but the process is a simple one. “The patient has to contact the treating physician and get a form filled by the physician as to the oxygen saturation status of the patient and recommendation for further oxygen supplementation. There is also an indemnity form for terms and conditions as agreed upon by the patient and IMASA for the loan of the machine.
“Upon receipt of these completed forms, there is a panel of IMASA doctors who will review the application and make a decision on the permissibility of providing such a machine,” explains Dr Ebrahim Khan (Chairperson, IMASA-Dbn and Project Head, Oxygen concentrator machines).
Programme
IMASA has started this programme nationally and has been in operation in the Gauteng region for the past two months. The Durban branch of IMASA has already lent out several machines in Durban and surrounds.
“The machines required by IMASA in Durban are quite costly as they are of a high quality and consistently produce oxygen at a level of 95 percent which is vital in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, in particular, whose oxygen requirements are around 95 percent plus.
“The machine is provided to the patient at no cost except that there is a R500 refundable deposit upon safe return of the machine to IMASA,” says Dr Khan.
“IMASA-Dbn would like to thank all the donors that have contributed to make this project successful at a time when this vital service was absolutely necessary and we thank all the volunteers for their fundraising efforts.
“We wish to thank the panel of doctors that have made themselves available on a 24/7 basis to review patient applications day in and day out at great sacrifice to themselves and their families.”
Chairperson of the Caring Sisters Network (CSN), Yasiera Mahomed Suliman says: “Being part of the IMASA home based oxygen campaign coordinating committee and a health worker, the need to procure funds for oxygen concentrator units for the campaign during the current pandemic took priority. A campaign was launched within the IMASA networks for donation of funds for the units.
“There are many units on the market and extensive research has been done on the best units for home treatment. Advice was taken from expert medical personnel including anaesthetists and pulmonologists. The units can cost anything between R10 000 and R20 000.
“The CSN also identified with this urgent need, and as usual, CSN rose to the occasion of need.”
“Funds for seven oxygen concentrator units, seven pulse oximeters and 50 consumable packs were raised through donation for the IMASA-Dbn Home Based Oxygen Campaign.”
“With generous donations from IMASA members and the community, the IMASA-Dbn has managed to procure 28 oxygenator units.”
“These units are available for loan to Covid-19 positive patients of all communities.”
Contact Shireen at 031 209 7838.
