There is an urgent need to protect the health workforce currently
employed in the public healthcare sector, especially in high-burden,
high-demand areas, such as South Africa. Attention to providing a
safe working environment is essential to restore the trust of HCWs in
the healthcare systems in which they work. Our study documented
that considerable attention is needed to improve the infection control
practices by HCWs, and especially physicians. The guidelines and legal
frameworks exist. It is time to implement the required measures to
comply therewith.