Government should set up a testing center in every Local Government Areas. Set up at least one to two processing laboratory centers in every state. I encourage them to come up with interventions suitable for Africa. Western interventions may not be ideal for Africans where there are no data base, road, electricity or proper enforcement agencies”.
These are the words of Mr. Bernard Oservwe, a registered Nurse that works in Houston Taxes, United States of America. He shares his experience on how Health Care System works and the way the US government have encouraged health workers so far against the fight on Coronavirus pandemic.
By Daniel Njienue and Angel James, April 21, 2020, news/comments
Oservwe, who said that the health workers are essential workers, therefore the lockdown has little effect, because majority of health staff still gets up and go to work every day. “Although, there are very small numbers of health care workers who are furloughed or laid off because their units are closed due to low number of patients. Some people are afraid to go to hospital because of the fear of contracting the Covid-19”
He noted that for now, the US health Insurance Companies are covering both the Health workers and patients, but reiterated that there might be provisions in the Recovery Act Bill just passed to law by US lawmakers to help fund any healthcare bills relating to the Covid-19. So, citizens are yet to see what is in the bill. Although everyone is treated whether they have insurance or not.
In the area of incentives, he said: “I can only speak from my experience in the current hospital I work. There are huge incentives for the healthcare workers working directly with Covid-19 patients. Like increased pay, free hotel rooms to rest, shower, and change clothes before going home to their family, and a lot more. They can stay at home for 14 days with pay- if they ever contract the disease. That’s for all employees. However, No one is expected to go for a gun fight with a cutlass. Personal protective equipment like gloves, appropriate mask, gown, shield etc are provided”
In the area of state mental health care, Mr. Oservwe hinted that, there is a national mental health crisis line. “Most of the mental health resources are provided by the state and local governments with the support of the federal government. People mostly call 911 in the case of mental health crisis and the police are equipped with the local resources appropriate for individuals. There are inpatient mental health treatment when needed”, he added.
Asked on the psychosocial provisions so far, the Nigerian-US based Nurse said: “People are already receiving their checks in the mail and majority had it directly deposited. For those laid off, they can file for unemployment and will be paid until they get another job, but it’s for a limited time though. There’s a bill in progress to help small business stay afloat and pay their employees”
Speaking on the palliative measures, he said that, social distancing, wearing mask whenever one is out in the public, encouraging massive testing and of course the lockdown that is still in progress, is meant to curb the progress of the Covid-19. However, US have employed additional foreign health care workers and they might still need to employ more.
Mr. Oservwe in his advice to Nigerian government to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, strongly noted that government should set up a testing center in every local government area. Set up at least one to two processing lab centers in every state. I encourage them to come up with interventions suitable for Africa. Western interventions may not be ideal for Africans where there are no data base, road electricity or proper enforcement agencies.
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Bernard Oservwe
