PAHO director calls for protection of health workers in the Caribbean

WASHINGTON, CMC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urged countries in the region to protect healthcare workers by ensuring that they have access to personal protective equipment and supplies needed to care for patients affected by COVID-19.

The plea was made by PAHO Director, Dr Carissa F. Etienne, who was speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday. 

“Shortages of the most basic protective equipment leave doctors, nurses and other frontline workers dangerously vulnerable as they care for COVID-19 patients.”

Through April 6, PAHO said 384,435 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Americas and 11,270 people have lost their lives. 

“In just seven days, we witnessed cases and deaths more than double in our region,” Etienne said.

“The pandemic is accelerating rapidly, and I urge governments to prepare and respond at the same speed.” 

Etienne urged countries to follow PAHO guidelines and recommendations, including social distancing measures, to lessen the burden on health systems. 

“All of us need to be prepared for more difficult weeks ahead,” she said.

“A pandemic like COVID-19 would overwhelm any health system, but its impact on those without sufficient health workers will be devastating.

“Limited supplies of gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles and gowns can lead to a wave of preventable infections among health workers,” she added.

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