CAPITAL: The Voice of Business Issue 1, 2015 | Page 75

COPPER PDC has installed antimicrobial counter tops, taps, shower mats and even a toilet seat (LEFT), all supplied by Cobra Watertech and Copalcor, in its clinic to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria among staff. A copper rack at PDC (RIGHT) is a simple solution to the scourge of athlete’s foot in communal showers. PHOTOS: Supplied. candidates for copper: shopping trolley handles, contact areas in gyms, lift control panels, light switches — the list of surfaces that could benefit is almost endless. Swanepoel said that there are some hospitals and clinics in South Africa that have already been fitted with antimicrobial copper, including the Phaleng Clinic in Limpopo; the Pongola Animal Clinic in KwaZulu-Natal; and the Masishimale Clinic, the Maphuta L. Malatji Hospital and Dr Sampie Ras’s veterinary surgery in Phalaborwa. But given the proven benefits of this material, it does seem as if we’re missing out on a huge public health opportunity. We asked the country’s health department if it had any plans to install antimicrobial copper at its public hospitals. To date, we have not received a reply. Capital | Issue 1 | 75