Aurecon assists government with national Covid-19 response
“Over a million people have been infected with the coronavirus. Luckily in our country and on the continent, measures have quickly been put in place to slow the pace and mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
“Our continent faces a crisis. As engineers, designers, advisors and consultants, now is the time to help our clients to safety in any way possible,” Kate Roper, Client Director, Health and Education, Aurecon, comments. Aurecon itself is currently in the process of rebranding as Zutari, after officially announcing the separation of the African business from the Aurecon Group, effective from 1 January 2020.
Half of humanity is now in lockdown in 90 countries, including Aurecon operations in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana and Southern Africa. “In crisis situations we have the opportunity to overcome challenges. In this regard, Aurecon has been supporting our government during the crisis and assisting it in being proactive during a critical time in our country – and the world’s – history,” Roper highlights.
The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services in Midrand is using Aurecon’s GEMC3 emergency readiness system, usually used to deploy ambulances, to monitor Covid-19 patients. Aurecon has updated the system to specifically track Covid-19 cases. This allows patients to stay at home while medical teams check up on them every day, and record their vital signs on GEMS.
An Aurecon Industrial Engineer is providing project management support and supply chain governance for the R100 million SPIRE fund established by RMB and First Rand Bank. SPIRE will help accelerate the scaling of South Africa’s Covid-19 critical-care capacity and support its medical structures and resources.
Meanwhile the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is using Aurecon’s Education Facilities Management System (EFMS) to capture and report on the status of school infrastructure and learner numbers. The Aurecon Programme Advisory unit, who is seconded to the DBE, has prepared lists of schools and hostels that could be used as temporary healthcare facilities should the Covid-19 pandemic result in large numbers of patients that need care outside of their homes.
Aurecon is also providing advisory support to the National Department of Health on the provision of temporary facilities; how to convert buildings into healthcare facilities, healthcare worker hostels, quarantine sites; and how to upgrade existing hospital space into ICU and high-care units.
“Many others within our business are looking for opportunities to become involved and see how we can help. Congratulations to our local heroes who are helping make South Africa a safer place,” Roper concludes.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
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Aurecon Media Contact
Rashree Maharaj
Marketing and Communications
Email: Rashree [dot] Maharaj [at] aurecongroup [dot] com
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Web: https://www.aurecongroup.com
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