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COVID-19: Health workers face ‘dangerous neglect’, warn WHO, ILO |



About 115,500 health workers died from COVID-19 The first 18 months of the pandemic, they noted, were associated with a “systemic lack of protective measures.”

In a joint call to action from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations agencies insist that Coronavirus The crisis has contributed to “an additional heavy loss” for healthcare workers.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the health sector was one of the most dangerous industries to work in,” said Maria Neira, Director of the WHO Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health.

Physical injury and burnout

“Only a few healthcare facilities have programs to manage health and safety in the workplace,” continued Dr. Neira. “Healthcare workers suffer from infections, musculoskeletal disorders and trauma, violence and harassment in the workplace, burnout and allergies due to poor work environments.”

To address this, WHO and ILO have issued new national guidelines for health centers at the national and local levels.

“Such programs should cover all occupational hazards – infectious, ergonomic, physical, chemical and psychosocial,” the agencies noted, adding that the States had developed developing or actively implementing occupational health and safety programs in healthcare facilities that have reduced work-related injuries and sick leave and improved the work environment, productivity and retention. maintain medical staff.

Workers’ rights

“Like all workers, they should enjoy the right to decent work, a safe and healthy work environment and receive social protection to take care of their health, free from sickness and occupational diseases and injuries.

This development comes as agencies point out that more than a third of healthcare facilities lack point-of-care sanitation stations, while less than one in six countries have a national healthy work environment policy. strong and safe in health. field.

James Campbell, Director of WHO’s Health Human Resources Division, said: “Sick leave and burnout exacerbate pre-existing health worker shortages and undermine the capacity of health care workers. health systems to meet the increased need for care and prevention during the crisis.”

“This guidance provides recommendations on how to learn from this experience and better protect our healthcare workers.”





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