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No patients at Bara's trauma unit as SA ushers in 2021 with curfew & booze ban

Africa's biggest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto, posted pictures on its Facebook page this morning of a near-empty trauma unit.

Africa's biggest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto, posted pictures on its Facebook page on 1 January 2021 of a near-empty trauma unit. Picture: Facebook.
Africa's biggest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto, posted pictures on its Facebook page on 1 January 2021 of a near-empty trauma unit. Picture: Facebook.
| 23 days ago

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa marked New Year's Eve under level three lockdown restrictions with a 9pm curfew and a ban on alcohol sales.

It was hoped the alcohol ban would ease the trauma load on the nation's hospitals, allowing workers to focus on managing the pandemic. And it seems to have worked.

Africa's biggest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto, posted pictures on its Facebook page this morning of a near-empty trauma unit.

Trauma units treat victims of incidents such as stabbings, gunshots, car crashes etc.

The hospital said this is the first time in its history that it hasn't had a single trauma case on New Years Day.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said he was flooded with messages of appreciation from doctors thanking the men and women in blue for a historic night, with minimal trauma cases.

"I received messages from doctors saying ‘thank you very much Minister, we can’t see blood in our wards’."

Many have commended the level 3 lockdown restrictions for this, calling for more awareness about the effects alcohol abuse have on the public healthcare system.

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