The ever-increasing number of cases with coronavirus but also the 7-month uninterrupted operation of the staff of Famagusta Hospital at full speed for the treatment of patients with coronavirus.
The request for the creation of a second hospital as a Reference Hospital has been on the table for several months by the staff of the Reference Hospital, a proposal which the Ministry of Health and OKYPY categorically rejected.
Nevertheless, lately, on the one hand the fatigue of the staff and on the other hand the outbreak of the pandemic leaves no more room for the heads of the competent Ministry and the Organization of Public Health Services to carefully study all the possibilities and the possibility of designating a new hospital. Reference.
It is pointed out, however, that since March, the staff of the General Hospital of Famagusta has been working non-stop, with the result that according to the Scientific Director and the doctors and nurses, fatigue has been created. Many of them have not taken a day-off for at least two months, while the continuous and seven-month work in an environment that carries the risk of transmitting the virus, has also brought psychological fatigue to health professionals. At the same time, a big problem has already been created with the service of the residents of the area, who, now, are indignant with the situation that as they state in many posts "only the province of Famagusta pays for it". It is pointed out that so far the Pediatric and Gynecological Clinic has been completely evacuated to serve patients with coronavirus, with the result that both categories of patients are served either by the Larnaca General Hospital or by the private sector. In fact, in case of an outbreak of the pandemic and an increase in the number of patients, the "plan B" will be implemented, which provides for the complete evacuation of the hospital except for outpatient clinics and first aid units, as happened last spring.
For their part, the competent services and the Council of Ministers have given assurances for the expansion of the additional floors of the hospital, but something that does not seem to be implemented quickly and will probably remain in the drawer, while this is an action that could well be implemented at least as compensation. measure for the suffering suffered by Hospital, health professionals and citizens of the area.
Second Reference Hospital?
According to the information, the Minister of Health has given instructions to consider the possibility of finding a new hospital that will be designated as the second reference hospital.
The possibility has been requested from the competent Minister and the State Health Services Organization, in order to designate a second Referral hospital, apart from Famagusta, in case the coronavirus cases are increased and another place is needed for hospitalization of patients, said the Spokesman of the Organization. Charalambos Charilaou.
"We have requested from the Minister of Health and we expect information for the designation of a second reference hospital in case the General Hospital of Famagusta is filled, so that the positive ones (cases that require hospitalization) can be transferred to a second hospital," he said.
Asked if it has been investigated which may be the second hospital for coronavirus cases, Mr. Charilaou said that "we do not have such information, but we have asked to be determined in case of increased needs."
He noted that for the time being, Famagusta will be the Reference Hospital. "The rest of the hospitals will manage suspicious cases and Nicosia will provide the intensive care beds in case of need. "Also, after our performances, a decree has been issued in the private sector to have a ward for suspicious incidents, that is, to manage their own suspicious incidents until the result of the laboratory test for coronavirus", he added.
Hospitals are ready in case of increased coronavirus cases
Mr. Charilaou said that the hospitals at this stage are ready both in terms of infrastructure, staffing and adequacy of consumables to deal with any situation that arises in case of increased number of cases.
"A revised plan has been made, which was presented to the Minister, who expressed his satisfaction. "This plan was made by the hospitals themselves, where the experience of the previous months was used so that any gaps and weaknesses that existed, could be filled", he noted.
He said the plan is currently being implemented. "We believe that yes, our hospitals are ready to deal with increased cases of coronavirus," he added.
Asked what the revised plan provides, he said it takes into account the infrastructure of each hospital, the available staff it has, as well as the medical specialties it has.
Regarding the adequacy of consumables, Mr. Charilaou stated that there are several stocks of personal protective equipment that are already used by the staff.
Concern about rising cases
The concern caused by the rapid increase of cases and the increase of patients in need of hospitalization is also intense.
The number of patients until this morning has been as follows:
- Famagusta General Hospital:
- 23 in a chamber COVID-19
- 5 in the Intensive Care Unit
- General Hospital of Nicosia
- 3 patients intubated in the Intensive Care Unit
- 4 in a chamber COVID-19
- EDEN Tersefanou Rehabilitation Center: 67 patients
At the same time, the concern is increasing due to the cases of coronavirus, as it is shown that the spread of the virus in the community is now uncontrolled. It is noted that out of yesterday's 181 incidents, 113 cases were identified from 1,813 samples received through private initiative, while another 48 cases from 392 samples received through the process of tracking the contacts of already confirmed cases.
Famagusta.News