DİYARBAKIR - Speaking about the difficult conditions of the healthcare workers, Diyarbakır Medical Chamber President Elif Turan said: “Healthcare professionals are happy when they contract the virus. They say, "At least we will rest for 14 , it's that bad."

 

Diyarbakır is one of the cities where the number of cases of the coronavirus (Kovid-19) outbreak increased after the "normalization" process implemented in early June. The "July-August Covid-19" report, announced by the Diyarbakır Medical Chamber recently, shed a light on the situation. In the report, it was stated that cases and casualties have increased, and an average of 400-450 people are contracting the virus a day.  Again, it was noted that nearly 600 healthcare workers in the city were diagnosed with the virus and the working conditions of healthcare professionals is becoming increasingly difficult.

 

Elif Turan, head of Diyarbakır Chamber of Medicine, drew attention to the fact that the situation is getting dire.  Emphasizing that healthcare professionals have a heavy burden in combating the outbreak Turan said: "Almost all of the responsibility in combating the outbreak is on the shoulders of healthcare professionals. The problem needs to be resolved at its source. For this, healthcare professionals must be given protective equipment. Turan noted that healthcare workers sometimes can't even access a mask, especially those who work in the Family Health Centers.

  

'DIED FROM A PREVENTABLE DISEASE'

 

Recalling the death of Dr. Mehmet Kan, Turan said: "We could have prevented this death. To lose someone from a preventable disease is so sad. When the number of cases increases in the society, the risk of the health worker increases as well. They are in more risk, the workload is heavy. Some have chronic diseases. But they continue to work." Turan said the number of healthcare professionals is not sufficient and pointed out to the healthcare professionals dismissed with law decrees following the July 20 State of Emergency, said that this burden could be alleviated if these people were reinstated.

 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTCARE

 

Mentioning the situation of the healthcare professionals who are not appointed due to security investigations, Turan said: "Opening more hospitals will not solve anything. Unless the conditions of the healthcare professionals are corrected, the hospitals will be filled with people again. Community health comes to a standstill when health workers are disabled. The health of healthcare professionals must be prioritized to ensure public health.

 

'THIS IS AN EMERGENCY'  

 

Underlining that the healthcare workers should regularly be tested, Turan said by doing this the risk of contamination will be prevented.  Stating that the situation have become an emergency, Turan said: "The healthcare workers are happy to contract the virus. They say at least we can rest for 14 days. The situation is that bad. They can only rest when they contract the virus."

 

MA / Fethi Balaman