Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) states 121 frontline workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives.
Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Moosa Murad from Clinical Management Advisory Group revealed Maldives is currently facing lack of human resources in the health sector to work in the facilities. He added most healthcare workers are overwhelmed and overworked due to lack of human resources and having to consecutively work for long hours.
Furthermore, Dr. Murad noted the growth in the number of positive cases among frontline workers is an existing challenge which may pose a threat to the fight in containment of the virus. The doctor noted while 121 frontline workers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far in the country, it is challenging to find new human resource to cater to facilities. He expressed human resource for such a task cannot be built within a month or two.
Moreover, Dr. Murad revealed one doctor and 2 nurses are required for the treatment of every patient on ventilator, noting healthcare workers attending COVID-19 patients are especially trained for the task. He highlighted the resources of the healthcare system are separately allocated to treat COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients, adding if the number of cases among healthcare workers increase, it will overwhelm the whole healthcare system in the country.
Dr. Murad lauded the services provided by healthcare workers and all frontline workers in the Maldives amid such a delicate time.