EDITORIAL: Securing our frontline workers

THE Barbados Nurses’ Association (BNA) recently called on the Ministry of Health & Wellness and by extension the Government of Barbados, to make the safety of nurses, who have to be on the frontline in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, a priority.

The BNA made it clear that their workers need to have the necessary protective equipment to safeguard themselves and the relevant training as well and indeed, this call can be extended to others on the frontline who are working hard to aid in handling the pandemic, with which our country is now faced.

“Nurses across all healthcare settings of Barbados will become the frontline workers in this infectious climate. Special attention will have to be given to nurses who administer care to these patients in the quarantine and isolation centres, and those who will have likely exposure in screening,” BNA President Joannah Waterman indicated.

“We expect the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Government to take strong action in order to ensure there is sufficient Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and training, so that nurses can stay healthy while saving lives in caring for these ill/infectious persons. Consider at Stage 3 that measures may be needed to support nurses who will be working really long hours. Consider care may need to be provided for the children and dependents of nurses,” she pointed out.

These are cries that should not fall on deaf ears, along with the call made for special consideration to be given to the needs of these frontline workers, to enable them to function effectively. They may need to have designated rest areas, transportation, meal preparation in some instances and of course, the provision of psychological support as well, as they battle on the frontline.

Meanwhile, the Barbados Nurses’ Association has called on local nurses to acquaint themselves with the relevant procedures and protocols in regards to dealing with COVID-19 patients and to make themselves available for training, since acquisition of these necessary protocols will be essential to better prepare them to assist in this crisis situation, while maintaining their safety. Indeed, training should by now have been provided to all those on the frontline.

Take safety practices seriously

That said, those of us at the community level must now do our part to ensure that we first reduce our chances of contracting COVID-19 and then, ensuring that we engage in responsible practices that will not impact on others. We need Barbadians to take social distancing and other safety practices seriously.

We need sick people to stay at home. We need those in quarantine not to breach protocol and venture out in public. We need to keep up our hygiene practices. We need to adhere to whatever regulations the Government has set in place, to help flatten the curve. Thus, we should be limiting our movement during the day and not breaking curfew at night.

A glance around the world will tell us why we need to play it safe, since we do not need an overwhelmed healthcare system and we need in every instance possible, to preserve lives.

Barbados Advocate

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