COVID-19 outbreak is reaching fiver pitch rocking even some of the powerful nations on earth, which are home to strong public health policies, improved facilities and technologies.
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has already sent a shock wave around the globe, and the magnitude and its scale have also threatened both the rich and poor countries. Globally, there have been reports of scarcity in medical kits and protective gear.
While eradicating global diseases require collective action, the ramifications largely rest on countries’ prevention and treatment efficiencies. Powerful nations which have had a relatively good backlog of resources have already faced with a severe shortage of medical equipment and scrambling to buy scarcely available resources from producers.
In Africa, including Ethiopia, which relies on the import of medical equipment and protective gear are even extremely scarce. And, as the production of these materials almost comes into stoppage stage, getting these materials is the next frontier of the battle. The protective materials are very imperative in the fight against COVID-19 and medical doctors are issuing an advisory for the public to wear a facemask, gloves. However, wearing protective materials is one thing, using them up to standard is another? As one may observe, there is widely unwise and improper use of this scarce material.
This is wastage that could pose serious challenges in the rainy season to come. People are making use of the available equipment without the required care and some of the scarce protective materials are going into people widely while medical professionals should have it first.
This trend may result in a shortage where those health professionals who are in the frontline of the fight would find it hard to access it. Others may stay home and protect themselves from the virus but medical doctors have no option but to stay in duty. Hence, scarce resources must be used properly and economically. The government needs to work aggressively to increase the supply of the materials primarily in hospitals and clinics. And, the public must make sure that the equipment is being used up to the standard.
The Ethiopian Herald April 10/2020
