The rising number of COVID-19 patients is taking a toll on medical personnel, the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has stated.
Speaking at a press conference held by TAG on Sunday night, the group’s member Dr. Nazla Musthafa said more patients would mean more work for medical personnel, due to which they are starting to feel exhausted. While the same medical personnel have to cater to both COVID-19 patients and patients seeking treatment for other conditions, they are now fatigued and weary, said Dr. Nazla.
“Our capacity is reaching its limit. Our nurses are exhausted. Some have lost over 5kgs. When patients get admitted, a relative is usually present as a caretaker. Now, in this situation it is just them. Several elderly patients are lying alone on their hospital beds. Under difficult circumstances like this, nurses may not been able to immediately tend to each patient,” said Dr. Nazla.
TAg further acknowledged that medical personnel face a lot of risk in treating patients, and some have had to stay away from work due to coming in contact with positive patients, and testing positive for the virus themselves. Therefore, it is important to bring down the number of cases before the entire system collapses, said Nazla.
“The same doctors and nurses have to treat non-COVID-19 patients. They are the ones who will have to treat those brought in after heart attacks. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the capacity,” she added.
