[ad_1]
With the number of COVID-19 cases breaking records on a daily basis and the percentage of untraceable cases increasing, doctors expressed concern about the epidemiological situation in Lithuania and measures to control it.
“During this period of elections to the Seimas, we see not only a decrease in public surveillance, but also the passivity of the authorities. Evidence-based solutions are needed now more than ever, but we lack the analysis of the data we collect, the application of good global examples, and better and more effective dissemination of information to the public.
In addition, the close cooperation with scientists, which yielded excellent results in the spring, is now becoming individual initiatives of the scientists themselves, ”says the Association of Young Doctors and the Union of Health Workers of Lithuania. addressing the President, the Government and the Ministry of Health.
According to medical representatives, it is also a matter of concern that medical institutions have not yet received full compensation for costs incurred during quarantine. It is further unknown whether the treatment facilities will be able to provide the necessary facilities in the event of a further deterioration of the epidemiological situation.
“Due to the lack of financial resources within medical institutions, physicians no longer have access to legal supplements for dangerous working conditions, even when they have to work directly with COVID-19 infected patients. Nor do we see any safeguards in the next year’s draft budget for compulsory health insurance: the current budget increase will not guarantee sufficient support for the regime of health care institutions before the epidemic.
We urge the authorities to make decisive and systematic decisions based on scientific evidence and good practice in other countries now, without waiting for the Seimas elections.
Seeing the importance of the strong position of world leaders in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, we also encourage our Head of State to assume the mobilizing leadership that is sorely needed during this difficult political period, ”the letter says. .
Veryga: We have no secrets
Commenting on such an appeal, Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga stated that he did not understand the lack of leadership and assured that he had no secrets about tests or protective measures.
“It is a really interesting statement, it is good that the associations are paying attention and interested in this situation. But I have repeatedly commented that what is insufficient information for some is even considered excessive or intimidating for others.
We certainly have no secrets about tests or tools. We have been reporting since June that medical institutions should have bought protective equipment.
And because of the leadership, I don’t know what is meant here. The Medical Expert Group is operational and advises the COVID Steering Committee. (…) I really would not agree that there is any way to talk to the community. The Ministry and its subordinate institutions employ epidemiologists who have very clear competencies. And because of the missing leadership, it is obvious that we have to specify what is missing, “he said.
The prime minister promised extras
In response to the changing situation in the country, Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Monday that if the planned measures do not work, individual municipalities are threatened with quarantine. Among other things, he announced that it had been decided to pay bonuses to doctors in 5 hospitals who work directly with the virus and to allocate additional resources to strengthen the National Center for Public Health and motivate its staff.
The portal tv3.lt recalls that the Lithuanian medical movement has just circulated its appeal to the authorities. He warned that the bad scenario was approaching faster every day.
205 new cases
According to the latest data from the National Public Health Center (NVSC), 205 cases of COVID-19 infection were confirmed yesterday. This means that currently the total number of Covid-19 cases in Lithuania has reached the limit of 7726.
No new deaths were identified. The number is 113. Another 35 people died from other causes. 3,110 people have already recovered from the virus and 4,468 are still sick.
Currently, there are 32,220 people in isolation, as of June 1. 352 import cases were registered.
In Lithuanian hospitals, 229 people are treated for COVID-19, 20 of them in resuscitation, 87 patients are treated with oxygen masks and nine more are treated with artificial lung ventilation.
[ad_2]
