NCEBA Zengetwa, of Port Elizabeth, considers himself to be one the most fortunate people alive.
After spending a month fighting for his life in ICU at Netcare Greenacres Hospital – including on his birthday – after contracting COVID-19, he finally beat the odds and made it safely home recently.
“I don’t remember anything of the time I was under ventilation, but I understand from my wife that medical staff had at one point prepared her for the worst. That’s how serious it was,” said the 46-year-old Zengetwa, who was discharged from hospital on August 15.
“My birthday was on July 15 and, of course, I only realised long afterwards that I had missed it. When I came to, I was so glad to have made it, I was in high spirits and remember singing a Three Tenors song with my physician, Dr Piyush Meel.”
Zengetwa said that he was still having to undergo physiotherapy to walk again, as he spent so long in bed, but was making a steady recovery.
“I think it was my wife and children who got me through this ordeal – knowing that I couldn’t leave them behind.
“That and the excellent treatment I received from my medical team at the hospital, all of whom played a part in saving my life.
“I am so thankful to them all and to Dr Meel in particular.
“All the nursing staff were excellent, going way beyond the call of duty to help me, one even comforting my family and organising that I could video call them.”
Zengetwa was admitted to Netcare Greenacres Hospital’s ICU on July 8 and was transferred to a general ward on August 13. He never expected to get such a serious case of COVID-19. After he heard that a colleague had tested positive, he developed a high fever and went for testing. The next day, he was struggling to breathe and his wife called an ambulance. “He is a wonderful and humble man, who was very emotional upon his remarkable recovery, and it is very rewarding that we are able to make a real difference in the midst of this pandemic.
“It lifts our spirits and builds the morale of all the staff members to see our hard work bear fruit in this way,” said Dr Meel.
He agreed that saving Zengetwa was very much a team effort.
“The ICU in particular is an exceptionally tough environment for everyone who works there, and in my book they’re all heroes and should be appreciated.
“These success stories are definitely very much as a result of the hard work and dedication of many doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, porters, cleaners and catering staff at the hospital. Every one of them has come together to care for and support our vulnerable patients,” Meel commented.
“I would also like to acknowledge the ICU nursing staff specifically, and also my colleagues, Dr Paul Musoke, Dr Hlanjwa Maepa, Dr Moses Jansen and Dr Ynishia Jansen and Dr Neil Hendricks.
“The anaesthetists, namely Dr Johan Dreyer, Dr Nico de Bruin, Dr Ernest Buitendag, Dr Fredrick Olivier and Dr Shane Poultney, have also played a major role.”
General manager of Netcare Greenacres Hospital, André Bothma, said that the staff and doctors were delighted to bid a fond farewell to Zengetwa.
“I am most grateful to the wonderful staff and doctors we have caring for our patients. I commend them for their dedication and considerable efforts in saving lives at this time. We wish Mr Zengetwa and his family all the best for the future, it was an honour to have cared for him,” he said.
