Dr Sa’ad, the head of Emergency Medicine and an Emergency Physician at Khayelitsha Hospital, recently honoured the oxygen delivery men helping keep people alive.
Cape Town, South Africa (12 January 2021) – In 2020 we learned that not all heroes wear capes. The frontline workers in every possible industry, working to combat the virus or supply things to the people fighting the virus became the modern superheroes we all know and love.
That said, there are still so many unsung heroes out there today. Recently Dr Sa’ad Lahri took to his Facebook to honour an unsung hero; a behind the scenes group of people who have been vital in fighting the Coronavirus. The oxygen delivery men of South Africa.
Dr Sa’ad has been working on the frontline at the Khayelitsha Hospital. Dr Sa’ad is the head of Emergency Medicine and an Emergency Physician at Khayelitsha Hospital. His post was shared with us by Jo Park-Ross who works at the Department of Anaesthesia at Groote Schuur. Jo confirmed having seen the oxygen delivery guys every day, sometimes twice a day.
The phrase “not all heroes wear capes” was aptly changed to “not all heroes wear scrubs”. Dr Sa’ad shared a photo of one of these unsung heroes and the comment section quickly filled with praise. These are some of the incredible things said by hospital staff about the oxygen delivery men.
“We could do almost nothing for Covid patients without champions like him. Vital link in the chain” – Matthew Young, UCT Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
“Thank you to this much-forgotten set of heroes!! We can’t do what we do in the hospitals, if you don’t do what you do” – Lisa Labuschagne
“Great, yes this heading so true. Behind the scenes making sure the hospitals and clinics get their oxygen. Great supply teams all across SA.” – Bernard Barnard
We got the chance to chat with Dr Sa’ad after the photo was shared. He wanted to highlight all the people working on the frontlines, not just the doctors, nurses, and clinic staff but also the cleaners, delivery men, and security staff.
“We must appreciate and acknowledge everyone in this response including the health care professionals. Our security guards, our cleaning staff, porters and admin staff have been amazing and super supportive. People such as this gentleman have gone above and beyond and risked their lives to save others. That is the true spirit of Ubuntu.”
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