what are the challenges faced by health worker's in this covid pandemic situation?
Answers
Answer:
1Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
2Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
3Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
4Discipline of Public Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
5Epidemiology, School of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
Answer:
A) Shortages of Personal Protective Equipments
Most health care facilities in India are facing shortages of personal protective equipments (PPE), including face masks, gowns, and respirators. Either the hospitals do not have these available in adequate numbers or they cannot afford to purchase the PPEs. In these extraordinary times, the health care providers must adapt and be flexible so that HCWs continue to safeguard themselves, their colleagues, their families, and their patients in this crisis. As the virus spreads, it is of increasing importance that HCW and other members of our communities protect themselves. The concept of viral load demands it. It is nearly impossible to tell who has been infected with COVID-19 until he or she is displaying symptoms.
B) Long working hours
It is becoming apparent from the reports from across the world that the long duty hours of the HCW is a major risk factor for them to acquire infection and hence it is mandatory they work in shorter shifts, based on a strict rota.
C) Violence against HCW
It is highly disturbing and demoralizing to see the HCW on duty are facing violence against them from some irresponsible public, within the hospitals and in the community surveillance work. It damages and dampen the work of HCW and may ultimately affect the health care of the public.
D) Increased risk of infection
The reports are coming in from across the world that several HCW are getting infected or dying due to COVID-19. In Spain, HCW have accounted for at least 14% of total COVID-19 cases. The hospitals and isolation centres are getting overloaded, essential medical equipments are scarce and the doctors and nursing staff are stretched thin. The high viral load in hospital settings may make healthcare workers particularly susceptible to the disease (1). The implications of infection in HCW are serious and many folds:
i) They can spread the infection to the colleagues, family members, friends and patients.
ii) India already has a grave shortage of HCW. Increase numbers in cases seem inevitable. This will require all the available human resources, but if doctors and nurses get infected on a large scale, the opposite will happen. They will need to be quarantined and treated, depleting resources.
iii) There would be a direct blow to the morale of the medical fraternity. There are already reports of doctors and nurses contemplating mass resignations, which authorities are in no position to accept. While this may seem irresponsible, it is important to recognize that they are individuals, with anxieties and fears, families, and want to survive. India cannot afford its HCW to be low on motivation at a time when it needs them at their best