.png)
Dr. Kathy-Ann Pate-Robinson, Infectious Diseases Consultant at the University Hospital of the West Indies
A senior medical doctor is warning there will be more deaths if the government is not able to quickly address the shortage of staff to deal with COVID-19 patients.
Jamaica has been reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths over the last two weeks.
Dr. Kathy-Ann Pate-Robinson, Infectious Diseases Consultant at the University Hospital of the West Indies, says with hospitals running out of COVID-19 beds, more nurses, doctors, supplies and facilities are needed. "More people are going to die. That's a reality that we won't be able to escape if we don't scale up the resources that are needed," she warned.
Dr. Pate-Robinson noted the government's efforts to open three field hospitals, but said staffing will prove a challenge, because although there have been efforts to get additional nurses and doctors, "it is slow in coming."
Additionally, Dr. Pate-Robinson said it is difficult for hospitals to add beds and wards for COVID-19 patients, with current staff levels.
She revealed that at the moment, the University Hospital of the West Indies can only accommodate five patients in its intensive care unit, which is already an over-extension based on the number of critical care nurses available.
The hospital has been forced to erect tents to accommodate the overflow of patients from its COVID-19 isolation area.
Dr. Pate-Robinson said the institution's plans to open additional COVID-19 wards have also been impacted by staff shortages.
comments powered by Disqus
.jpg)
All feeds
