US MNAs show support towards frontline health workers |08 January 2021

Frontline health workers are integral to the local and global response to coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic which has placed a significant burden on their mental health and wellbeing, thus their effort and devotion should not be taken for granted and should be recognised.

It is in that spirit that members of the Assembly (MNA) from the opposition party (United Seychelles) has donated a batch of refreshments and fruits to the department of health which will go towards the support of the frontline health workers.

The consignment which consists of water, juice and fruits was handed over to the deputy chief executive of the Health Care Agency, Kathleen Cecile, by the elected MNA for Anse Royale Sylvanne Lemiel, in the presence of the leader of the opposition Sebastien Pillay and Roche Caiman MNA Audrey Vidot, during a small ceremony yesterday at the Red Roof building of the Seychelles Hospital.

Mrs Lemiel said her party recognises all the hard work of the frontline health workers who she said are giving their all with full commitment and devotion to give care to the patients, as well as all those who are fully active on the field, involved in contact tracing to break the chain of transmission.

She added that the frontline health workers are in their prayers and that yesterday’s donation was the first of many more to come.

Mrs Lemiel also urged everyone to follow the guidance, rules and regulations of the department of health, thus, helping it to curb the transmission of the virus.

Accepting the donation, Mrs Cécile thanked the MNAs for their support which she said will boost the morale of the workers who she said despite their effort, are also human and at times feel down, especially with the increase in the number of local cases.

Covid-19 has exposed health workers and their families to unprecedented levels of risk. Although not representative, data from many countries across World Health Organisation (WHO) regions indicate that Covid-19 infections among health workers are far greater than those in the general population.

While health workers represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of Covid-19 cases reported to WHO are among health workers. In some countries, the proportion can be as high as 35%. However, data availability and quality are limited, and it is not possible to establish whether health workers were infected in the work place or in community settings. Thousands of health workers infected with Covid-19 have lost their lives worldwide.

In addition to physical risks, the pandemic has placed extraordinary levels of psychological stress on health workers exposed to high-demand settings for long hours, living in constant fear of disease exposure while separated from family and facing social stigmatisation.

The accompanying photographs show highlights of the handover ceremony.

Roland Duval

Photos: Anel Robert