Veryga admits: doctors are already preparing for the second wave, the return of the masks may be inevitable

Although it is increasingly possible to see the pride of compatriots in the public sphere that the virus has been controlled in Lithuania, after the end of the quarantine, treatment services remain difficult to access. Commenting on the situation, Veryga said it would not be too early to rejoice.

“It just came to our attention then. We see and observe what is happening in Europe and it certainly does not allow us to fully relax yet, we need to be prepared for some kind of preparation, to prepare ourselves for possible challenges. As I said, the first stage It really happened successfully and the OECD organization values ​​Lithuania well.

When it comes to services, there seem to be very different situations that can make access difficult for some patients. It all depends on the size of the institutions, their availability, and the speed and speed with which they prepare plans to update the services. I can only remember that several decisions have been made: it has been determined when those services must be provided to receive 1/12 of the payment, now there is a requirement to reach a certain level of service provision to receive the payment, ”said the Minister.

According to him, the ministry is really trying to encourage the opening of medical institutions in various ways, but the public must also understand that there were hardly or very few services scheduled during the quarantine, which has resulted in a significant number of patients. Now, all at the same time, A. Veryga continued, he wants to receive or register for those services, and this becomes a challenge for both the institutions themselves and for patients, so more patience is needed.

When asked if the doctors themselves were not afraid to accept patients due to the possible increase in the second wave and the possibility of infection, the minister argued that this should not be the case.

“All the measures are implemented to protect, approve and levels of security, we just have to learn to get used to working this way, because if the infection recurs, we will not be able to provide scheduled services for a year or more. In this case, patients they will certainly face other very serious health problems which is why medical staff should provide for them. It is true that they need to take care of themselves, take all safety measures, but fear is perhaps the wrong explanation in this situation as doctors they are prepared to work with infected patients, they also face other dangers in this work, so far they have not been afraid. “

The public was very relaxed after the quarantine ended, and when crowds of people took to the streets, it appears that it did not even exist and the coronavirus no longer exists. However, serenity is maintained in treatment facilities, and doctors are likely to prepare for the second wave, although they may not yet want to intimidate the public. The minister confirmed that the second wave is being prepared.

“They are really seriously preparing and, as I said, some preparation has been maintained due to certain security conditions. Not only the doctors are preparing, but also other institutions, and a certain reserve is accumulating. However, this is not It is doing to intimidate the public, but we have just realized how great a challenge it can be and how much infrastructure it needs.The public should not be intimidated either, but should not be too relaxed

Again, this is not a matter of fear, but simply the isolation of such a conscious understanding that the problem or risk is not lost anywhere, not forgetting the good things we have learned about hand hygiene, congratulations. and the distances where there is a higher risk of infection. arrivals compliance. If we see that the situation worsens, some measures will be returned again. In the first place, those that allow to avoid the spread; This was also discussed yesterday in the Government, for example, personal protective equipment, etc. “, said.

Veryga recognized that there was a high probability that medical masks might need to be used again in public places. According to him, it is observed in situations in neighboring countries, and Lithuania is not a closed country either, its borders are not completely closed.

“We have a list of countries from which foreigners cannot come, but only our citizens can come. However, we are already traveling more or less freely in Europe, and the people who have come are really going and checking, and they are leaving detecting those import cases, therefore, looking at the countries where the infection is spreading fast enough, it would be very irresponsible to expect that Lithuania would somehow avoid it.

You will most likely need to return to these personal protective equipment. The only question that remains when this will be done is whether there will be asymptomatic cases and similar infections when people return from the holidays en masse, or do not go to rest. But it is really very likely, “said the minister.