Healthworkers at risk of burnout if 3rd wave hits says expert

Healthworkers at risk of burnout if 3rd wave hits says expert

Experts say South Africa's healthcare workers are facing serious burnout. 

Nurse
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And if they don't get the assistance they need right now - some won't be able to support the country if a third COVID-19 wave hits.

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Specialist psychiatrist, Doctor Peter Milligan addressed the issue during a discussion hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  

He says the pandemic's taken a heavy toll on healthcare workers adding they could face repeated trauma and burnout if there's another spike. 

"We don't know yet the timing or dimensions of the third wave but if we just think back to the second wave, I think what made it so brutal for us here in KZN was not just the numbers were higher but it came right at the end of the year where people were already exhausted. We need to keep up the work in terms of mental preparedness." 

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