Compassionate and Respectful Care (CRC) is an essential element for healthcare providers (HCPs) as it builds a positive environment and intimacy among the professionals, patients, and families.
However, during the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, in which patients isolated and hospitalized in different sections and risks are high, things would go differently. The backbreaking burden lies on healthcare professionals.
Following the occurrence of the Pandemic, many health practitioners have devoted their times, experts and life and have been working day in day out to serve their fellow citizens.
For this altruistic act, of late, Addis Ababa Health Bureau held thanksgiving and recognition program for health professionals and caregivers for their noble and selfless effort to contain COVID-19 risking their own and families’ life.
Speaking at the event, Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau Head Dr. Yohannes Chala said that the healthcare professionals and caregivers have been doing their best in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Addis Ababa City Health Bureau would like to extend gratitude to these heroes and heroines as they have fought well to rescue the lives of patients leaving their family and life aside. Though Addis Ababa was the epicenter of the pandemic, thanks to the brave heart of health professionals and caregivers, it was enabled to mitigate the impacts of the severe pandemic.
“Health professionals and caregivers are heroes and heroines of the generation; many had passed away infected by the virus while helping others. We will never forget them; they will be remembered for years to come for their brave actions.”
Addis Ababa City Administration Service Providing Institutions Coordinator with the Rank of Deputy Mayor Jantirar Abay on his part said that the health professionals and caregivers are like soldiers who are standing to serve the community and safeguard the sovereignty of their country.
Jantirar also noted that COVID-19 outbreak occurred alongside the political unrest in some parts of the country and other public health emergencies creating burden to the health professionals and caregivers as well the public at large. In view of the burden, the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopia Public Health Institute developed an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) against the pandemic after the first case was reported.
The plan has aimed to strengthen the surveillance system and response capacity to early detect and respond to the possible importation of an outbreak. To help contain the spread of the virus, the government declared a State of Emergency on April 8, 2020. It introduced measures such as a nationwide ban on gatherings of more than four people, mandatory of wearing of facemasks, and regulating the operation of transportation services, hotels, and restaurants under reduced capacity.
While the preparedness for the outbreak response was continuing, there was limited capacity in analyzing how the pandemic would progress from that single case identified in March 2020 to understanding the evolving nature of the pandemic, and in testing.
“We are indebted to give huge honor to the whole stakeholders for their invaluable dedication they have paid in containing the spread of the virus.”
Together, we have made it happen and we should keep it up further consolidating efforts for improved healthcare services. The Administration is always ready to back the sector and let the sector get necessary resources as well as human capital, he noted.
According to Jantirar, the City Administration has been carrying out various activities to make the city Center of Health Tourism in the years to come.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Etalem Tilahun, healthcare professional at Ras Desta Damitew Memorial Hospital on her part said that health professionals and caregivers have shown their commitment and dedication in mitigating the spread of the pandemic. And the recognition is timely.
She also noted that the Hospital has been undertaking COVID-19 testing to help the communities know their status as well as deploying health professions and caregivers to the areas where human power limitation is witnessed.
She also stated that the community has currently been attaching little attention to the pandemic compared to the preceding months. This is somehow similar with a moment of HIV/AIDS expansion following recklessness and lower advocacy to raise public awareness. The issue should get more attention from the government and pertinent stakes as carelessness can cost the country a lot, she said.
Sister Hana Samson who has been on the front line in combating COVID-19 also said that she had been serving her community untiringly though she was admitted while discharging responsibilities and recovered soon due to dedication of professionals. As to her, being admitted for COVID-19 case was really testing time for her and she is proud of her profession.
“In my view, acknowledging the effort of health professionals and caregivers is instrumental and it should be the culture of the community as it encourages professionals, creates sense of belongingness and ensure quality services.”
On the recognition program, over 19 institutions were acknowledged.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
The Ethiopian Herald 29 July 2021
