98 percent of health workers in Diyarbakır don't find official Covid-19 figures accurate

A health worker shows a banner demanding tests every five days. (Photo: Sertaç Kayar)

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Health workers in the southeastern Diyarbakır province don't find the official figures of Covid-19 deaths and cases, according to a survey by the Socio-Political Field Research Center.

The Diyarbakır-based center interviewed 203 health workers in the province between August 26 and 30.

The number of health workers infected with Covid-19 is about 30,000 according to the Ministry of Health.

Here are the findings of the survey:

• 85 percent of the health workers don't find the measures taken for healthcare personnel adequate.
• 98 percent don't find the official figures of cases and deaths realistic.
• 81.3 percent replied "No" when asked whether the pandemic is managed in a correct and healthy way. Only one percent said, "Yes."
• 86.2 percent said they don't think the methods and measures to take the epidemic under control are adequate. 13.8 percent said measures were partially adequate. No participant said they think the measures are adequate.
• 92.6 percent said they don't feel safe at the agency they work for.
• 92.6 percent said increasing workload created physical and mental pressure on them.
• When asked about whether they considered resignation during the pandemic, 61.1 percent said "Yes," 38.9 percent said "No."
• 54.2 percent said the healthcare personnel at their workplace are not regularly tested for Covid-19 whereas 37.4 percent said the personnel are tested.
• When asked about what is the primary need of the hospital/clinic they work at, 36.9 percent said personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and disinfectants. (EMK/VK)