Health workers’ nightmare in bid to tame virus
If you are finding it hard to stay at home to shield yourself from coronavirus, imagine how it would feel to be a doctor or nurse who does not have that luxury.
The health workers have to expose themselves to the risk by taking care of unnoticed coronavirus patients, while some are staying away from their families to avoid transmitting the virus to them.
They are not only suffering from anxiety of having to take care of the sick without personal protective equipment, but also foregoing the companionship of their families.
Ms Rebecca Awino’s fear and worries have been about bringing the virus home since she is more exposed, yet she only has a mask to protect herself.
At the outpatient department in one of the leading public hospitals in the country, she is the first contact person.
She records weights and ensures the details of patients are keyed into the system before they get access to doctors.
“I’ve two children. Having to attend to patients without protective gear, I’m always thinking of my children. But there is nothing I can do. I took an oath as a nurse to save lives. It’s a calling,” she said.
Her concern is mirrored by dozens of healthcare workers globally, who are the first points of contact, but have to attend to patients without protective gear.
Some patients are asymptomatic, which means they have the virus but don’t have the symptoms.
While interacting with frontline healthcare workers before a diagnosis is made, the patient can infect them, and hence the need to take the necessary precautions to avoid cross infections.
A March 21 editorial in The Lancet clearly illustrates the danger, noting that 3,300 healthcare workers were infected with the Covid-19 virus in China by early March.
At least 22 died by the end of February. The virus has also affected healthcare workers in the United States.
The Kenyan health workers join a growing chorus of their American counterparts, who say they’re battling the virus with far too little armour as shortages force them to reuse personal protective equipment.
At least 14 health workers in Aga Khan hospital are currently under quarantine after coming into contact with a Covid-19 patient, who did not disclose his travel history while being triaged.
The team of three doctors and 11 nurses working at the city hospital were forced to go into quarantine after attending to a 66-year-old patient who died from Covid19.
“We do confirm that a number of our healthcare workers were exposed to a Covid-19 case by virtue of non-disclosure by the patient on their travel history. The types of exposure were classified into whether there were high risk or low risk exposure,” said a hospital official to Daily Nation.
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