Subsequent epidemics may be more serious than SARS-CoV-2

Healthcare must be prepared for further crises, because experts agree that epidemics of infectious diseases will be more frequent and more severe than coronavirus. That is why a thorough reform of the system and support for overloaded medical staff is needed, which should also involve business. This is the goal of the My, Solidarni initiative, which is to provide help to the doctors fighting on the front line with SARS-CoV-2. A draft bill is expected to be sent to the Sejm (lower chamber of Polish parliament) soon, under which state-owned companies and public institutions will be able to offer doctors, e.g. discounts at gas stations or discounts at cultural and sports facilities. The main pillar of the action, however, is solidarity at the lowest level – on the side of society.

“This is a very difficult period for medical staff. The situation of nurses during the pandemic was particularly difficult, staff shortages in this professional group further impede the operation. Above all, decision-making and competence chaos disturbed us. Employees were quarantined in workplaces and rendered work at that time. On the one hand, they were applauded and called heroes, and on the other – they were directed to downtime benefits, which limited their salary to one-third,” Krystyna Ptok, chairwoman of the National Trade Union of Nurses and Midwives, said

Doctors, nurses, rescuers and other medical staff are forming the first frontline in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Recent months have shown how important their work is to human health and public safety. However, the situation of medics is particularly difficult. In addition to chronic stress and heavy work, they also have to face the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection up to 40 times greater and the psychological effects of a pandemic war.

“The number of infected and quarantined nurses is decreasing, but unfortunately four of our friends have died. At present, the supply of personal protective equipment is already good, but the procedures are still failing. The disease growth curve is getting a little flatter, so we would like to harmonize guidelines on how to proceed from the Ministry of Health, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate and the Chief Labor Inspectorate. Some common standards of conduct should be introduced,” Krystyna Ptok added.

(Newseria) https://biznes.newseria.pl/news/kolejne-epidemie-moga,p2066799989