Primary healthcare workers not regularly tested for Covid-19, have PPE shortages

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Health workers at primary healthcare facilities are not regularly tested for Covid-19 and not provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), according to a survey by the Turkish Medical Association (TTB).

Since the beginning of the epidemic, the Ministry of Health has prioritized hospitals and treatment while ignoring the primary healthcare services, which are important for preventing the spread of the disease, the TTB noted in a statement today (August 7).

"However, it is known scientifically and historically that in extraordinary situations, special importance should be given to primary healthcare services, especially in order to ensure the continuity of preventive healthcare services and other routine healthcare services," it said.

"Despite that, both the primary healthcare services and our colleagues working in those have been neglected, ignored," the TTB added.

According to the survey conducted among the health workers at 410 family health centers (HHC) in 53 provinces;

• 71 percent have said PPE sent to FHCs by provincial health directorates are inadequate. 81 percent of the FHCs have stated that they buy PPEs with their own money.
• 79 percent of the FHCs have stated that disinfectants and 75 percent stated hand sanitizers sent by provincial health directorates are inadequate.
• Provincial health directorates organized training for Covid-19 only at 26 of the FHCs.
• Health workers at 81 percent of the FHCs are not tested for coronavirus for control purposes. Antibody tests are not conducted in 84 percent of the FHCs.
• 11 percent of the FHCs have at least one health worker infected with Covid-19.
• At 59 percent of the FHCs, health workers with a chronic disease, pregnant health workers and nursing mothers are not able to take a leave.
• Health workers at 99 percent of the FHCs have not received additional payment.
• At 93 percent of the FHCs, the number of patients who come for tests and cancer checks has decreased during the pandemic. Applications for medical reports have decreased as 70 percent of the FHCs. (AS/VK)