DR ISAIAH MATAMORO

IN WARS past, the thunderous sounds of the machine guns and the firing of the cannons ceased on occasions such as today, as the opposing sides rested and reflected. Today, the constant beeping of the many high-tech apparatus in our wards and intensive care units dare not cease, nor can the many soldiers on the frontline take a break. For to stop, even for a day, would mean the demise of many.

Like the days of war, I write to you, not only to bring you, my fellow citizens, abreast of the casualties of the frontline but also to attempt to rally a society that is divided in our darkest hour.

The battle to date

My colleagues and I never could have imagined being stationed on the frontlines for this long. For many of us, this would have been our first job upon completing our internship - young, willing, enthusiastic but highly capable, having spent approximately six to seven years in training. We have been joined by many others along the way, but the vast majority of the pioneering group have remained committed to the course.

This commitment has not come without great sacrifices. Sacrifices which we continue to make on a daily basis. Our very said armour at times become our prison, from self-isolating to the use of personal protective equipment for at least four to six hours each shift.

Today our situation remains dire. We are at the worst point (hopefully) in this pandemic, as this wave has easily outstripped all others. At the time of writing, 2,825 of our countrymen had lost their lives and the phrase 'rest in peace' has lost value in the tongues of many.

While today may be a time of joy and celebration for some, the one person that sits at the table grieving the passing of their relatives has lived to tell a different story. This deadly virus remains a respecter of no man. I have seen every age, gender, race and socioeconomic class become casualties.

May we never forget the names of the ones we have lost.

Battle infrastructure

One of the best decisions taken during this pandemic was the formation of a parallel healthcare system to treat and manage covid19 patients. Even with such capacity, however, we have found ourselves under significant strain. As beds are commissioned, beds are filled.

Many fail to recognise, however, that a very crucial component to this system is our Accident and Emergency Departments. These facilities straddle our traditional and parallel healthcare systems and soldiers are at the gates every single day, manning a crucial bridge.

In wartime, bridges are very strategic locations. Wars were fought and won by the capture or destruction of them. They should not be overlooked and the necessary attention must be given to them as we have done with the parallel healthcare system. Some have suggested the establishment of severe acute respiratory illness emergency rooms within the parallel system. It may seem to be too great a task, but after all we