  Data shows that nearly 570,000 health workers across our region have fallen ill and more than 2,500 have succumbed to the virus - A.M. Costa Rica wire services illustrative photo - |
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 Published Monday, September 7, 2020 Covid-19
has killed 2,500 health
workers in the American Continent, says PAHO Health workers are particularly vulnerable to covid-19, especially in the Region of the Americas, according to the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO. “We have the highest number of healthcare workers infected in the world,” PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne said. “Our data shows that nearly 570,000 health workers across our region have fallen ill and more than 2,500 have succumbed to the virus.” The Washington, D.C.-based the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO, is an international public health agency as part of the World Health Organization for the countries of the American continent. With almost 13.5 million covid- 19 cases and over 469,000 deaths reported in the Americas, including around 4,000 deaths a day in our region, the scale of this pandemic is unprecedented. “No other group has felt this more acutely than the very men and women who make up our health workforce,” Etienne said. She noted that “in the U.S. and Mexico, which have some of the highest case counts in the world, health workers represent one in every seventh case” and these two countries account for nearly 85% of all Covid-19 deaths among health care workers in our region. To combat these trends, countries must ensure that health workers can do their jobs safely. This will require maintaining sufficient supplies of PPE and ensuring that everyone is effectively trained in infection control to avoid risking their own health, Etienne said. Countries should also ensure safe working conditions and fair pay for health workers, she said. “This is particularly important for women, the majority of our health workforce, who must be supported to fully participate and lead the response to the pandemic.” The PAHO director cited several reasons for the high rates of infection in health workers in the Americas, noting that as countries scrambled to respond to the virus, “many health workers were redirected to the outbreak response without sufficient training to protect themselves as they were treating covid-19 patients.” As the number of patients surged, “hospitals became overcrowded and many were too slow to implement triaging protocols. This meant that covid-19 patients were exposed to others who may have been seeking care for different conditions, and soon everyone carried a risk of infection, leaving health workers more vulnerable,” Etienne said. Early in the pandemic, supplies of Personal Protective Equipment were scarce. “Health workers were forced to reuse masks and gowns, seek alternatives or forgo protection altogether to care for those in need,” Etienne said. Maintaining sufficient supplies of PPE and ensuring that everyone is effectively trained in infection control to avoid risking their own health is key, she said. PAHO has been supporting countries in building designated triage and case management zones to protect health workers and patients. “We have also donated over 31 million masks and more than 1.4 million gloves and gowns to protect our frontline response.” Months of operating under enormous pressure have also had strong mental and psychological impacts on health workers, including isolation from family and friends. “Shockingly, dozens of health workers have been assaulted over the last few months as a result of the public’s misplaced fear, misinformation or frustration from this pandemic,” she said. Etienne also cited a recent Epidemiological Alert from PAHO, which said: “In light of the increase in cases and deaths of Covid-19 among healthcare workers in the countries and territories in the Register on of the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) urges the Member States to strengthen the capacity of healthcare sectors all levels and to equip healthcare workers with the appropriate resources and training in order to ensure an adequate and timely response to the pandemic within the healthcare system.” ------------------------- Should international health organizations open an investigation of the origin of the covid-19 pandemic? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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