Steps taken to ensure protection of frontline staff in Covid-19 fight

The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has affirmed that all medical and paramedical staff working on the frontlines to combat the coronavirus (Covid-19) have been given due attention and care that guarantees them and their families protection from the risks of infection with the virus, Dr Jameela al-Ajmi Executive Director Corporate Infection Prevention at HMC said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the healthcare workers at HMC are fully guided on how to protect themselves and their families from infection with the virus by taking a set of preventive measures that achieves this goal,  including awareness sessions to combat comprehensive infection and through the directives of  HMC Medical media.

She added that many different educational materials have been used to guide medical personnel and employees about procedures to prevent infection with the coronavirus, such as washing their hands when leaving work and leaving the medical uniform at the workplace before departure, wearing a mask during the work period and maintaining a distance of two meters with family members as well as covering nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and isolating themselves from the family in the event of respiratory diseases and seeking medical help.

She noted that the personnel mainly involved in providing daily care for patients infected with the virus (Covid-19) have been provided with alternative places to live and stay away from family members, as a preventive step to protect their families from the possibility of any infection with the virus.

She also revealed a periodic check of the (Covid-19) virus for medical staff who deal directly with patients infected with the virus, including those working in (Covid-19) medical centres, intensive care, emergencies and long-term care patients, and the performance of employees in implementing control measures is also monitored, while dealing with patients and taking appropriate action to treat and isolate them in the event of infection with the virus. 

Dr Jameela al-Ajmi explained that several guidelines are applied at the state level to prevent medical personnel from Covid-19 infection, including guidelines regarding the appropriate and rational use of personal protection equipment for healthcare workers who enter units oar areas where there are Covid-19 cases, including healthcare providers, ambulance services, food providers, cleaners, among others.

Also, there are special instructions for the treatment and follow-up of healthcare workers in the event of exposure to Covid-19 cases, wherein this guidance the risks are evaluated for health care workers and other contacts in the treatment of health workers.

The national guideline for the prevention and control of Covid-19 is also used by health care professionals on infection prevention and control practices when dealing with infected patients.

Dr Jameela al-Ajmi pointed out that health workers who deal with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases have been given clear instructions to wear a medical face mask and protect the eyes using protective glasses as well as wearing gloves and a waterproof dress, before starting any medical procedure. They are also trained on how to wear and remove personal protective equipment in the correct way and how to get rid of them in the places designated for them before they are also assured of washing hands and eyes afterward, she added.

Dr Jameela al-Ajmi pointed out that this period is considered one of the difficult periods for the health sector workers and has many challenges and tension, but there are obligations and duties towards patients, society, and members of their families.

She mentioned that health care workers on the frontline have assumed their professional and moral duty and have given the priority to health and well-being of community members and their patients instead of their personal benefit and provide the finest examples and the best possible medical care services for people with Covid-19.

Dr Jameela al-Ajmi called on everyone to co-operate and take responsibility to combat the Covid-19 by adopting preventive measures, the most important of which is staying at home and not going out except for essential needs, applying social distance, and other measures that have been advised by the relevant authorities.

She added that while many have to stay at home to protect themselves from the dangers of infection with the Covid-19, healthcare workers must continue to provide care and services in their workplace.

Therefore, all healthcare personnel are trained in virus prevention and infection control measures, while providing all personal protective kits and tools, she pointed out.

She pointed out that health workers also have to adhere to safety guidelines when returning to their homes, including social distance when they are with family members and to avoid visiting relatives, especially the elderly, to reduce the risk of transmission to them.

As seen on GulfTimes  Image Credits GulfTimes