Selfless sacrifices, unspeakable life risks and unfathomable diligence; are but some of the few terms used to describe ways in which frontline workers worked during the uncertain future caused by COVID-19.

The heroes behind the hazmat suits in the Erongo Region fought tirelessly to curb the virus in what was at some point the epicentre of the virus, deeming it a “no enter and exit “point for a couple of months.

Frontline workers have had to work around the clock and effortlessly, to ensure patients recover and that community members are safe from contracting the deadly virus in the region.

One such health worker is Hassel Nkando Matengu, an Environmental Health Practitioner at the Swakopmund State Hospital, whose main responsibilities involve educating the community on the prevention of COVID-19, among others.

He, along with others, is part of the COVID-19 Burial Committee, with a view towards understanding any challenges in ensuring that those who succumb to COVID-19 are buried decently, while a balance of safety and security of the rest of the community is maintained.

“We also make sure that the community at large is safe by educating them, ensuring that they have the necessary information on how to protect themselves and their loved ones through mass education in communities, schools, prisons and workplaces.

We also target to encourage community members who are ill, to come to the hospital and seek medical attention rather than entirely relying on home remedies,” Matengu explained.

Matengu’s career commenced at the very beginning of the pandemic when he occupied his current position at the hospital in April 2021. He was a new graduate, from the class of 2019 and was very excited to enter the system and venture onto his journey.

He described that although nothing could prepare him for the pandemic that no one saw coming, it was an eye-opener for him and to put to practice everything he has learnt at school as well as learn those he has not been taught, was a good start to his career.

“This was the right time for me to learn in terms of how to work with people in different professions because COVID-19 forced everyone to be flexible and I was trained to do a few new things that I did not learn at school,” he said.

He often found himself fully geared in the hazmat suit, an outfit which he described as an undesirable necessity.

“Wearing Personal Protective Equipment is one of the most crucial Infection Prevention and Control measures, especially if you are at a high-risk area, such as when you are in direct contact with the body. Having to wear the suit is very uncomfortable, especially on hot days where you are required to bury 4 to 5 bodies and are required to be in the suit for hours,” Matengu explained.

He said balancing between professionalism and human emotions can be challenging at times especially having to witness families burying loved ones on a daily basis and were not allowed to view their bodies due to the protocols in place.

“Although sometimes you come across families who are a little bit more emotional and difficult than others during grieving, I always try to maintain a balance and remember my professional role and the message I am supposed to put across for relatives in order to ensure safety during a burial,” he said.

The environmental health practitioner also explained that although thoughts of quitting his job have not necessary crossed his mind, he has had rough moments that have had a toll on his emotional and mental health.

He recalled the time when he eventually also contracted COVID-19 early this year in March, which was a very terrifying moment for him.

“You know sometimes you think when you work with these things you are exempted until you contract the virus, and when you get it, you start thinking of all the people you have seen succumbing to the virus and your emotions start running high and you think you are next,” he described.

His symptoms were mild however and he managed to beat the virus without having the need to get hospitalised.

Fitness and sports are also some of the few activities that he says helped him unwind after a long day of emotions and kept him calm.

Matengu is hopeful that one day, life would go back to normal and the world would live freely again as the pandemic is contained a little.

Source: Namibia Press Agency