Rights, roles and responsibilities of health workers: how to protect ourselves?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses belonging to the Coronaviridae family that infect both animals and humans.. Human coronaviruses can cause a mild illness similar to the common cold, while others cause more severe illness (such as MERS – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and SARS – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)… Take the Corona Quiz online for free.
Symptoms and symptoms include respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, and sometimes death. Avoid close contact with people who have a fever or cough.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with experts, governments and global partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge about this new virus and take measures to protect people's health and prevent the spread of this disease with timely advice.
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But in the meantime, the front line of the fight against Corona is the health workers: nurses, doctors and employees who have special rights, roles and responsibilities... including the occupational safety and health of health workers who are at the forefront of any response to the spread of this disease and are therefore exposed to risks that put them at risk of contracting infectious diseases (Covid1).. Pathogens, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, burnout, Physical and mental insult and violence.... This World Health Organization document highlights the rights and responsibilities of health workers, including the specific measures required to protect occupational health and safety.
The rights of health workers include that employers and managers in health centers:
Take overall responsibility for ensuring that all necessary preventive and protective measures are taken to minimize safety and occupational risks, including the implementation of safety and occupational management systems for hazard identification and health and safety risk assessment, infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, and zero-tolerance policies for workplace violence and harassment.
- Providing occupational health and safety information, instructions and training, including;
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training.. and
- Use, placement, collection and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Provide adequate IPC and PPE supplies (masks, gloves, goggles, gowns, hand sanitizer, soap and water, cleaning supplies) to healthcare providers or other staff caring for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients so that staff do not incur costs for essential occupational safety and health.
- Familiarize personnel with technical updates regarding COVID-19 and provide appropriate tools to assess, prioritize patients, test and treat patients, and share infection prevention and control information with patients and the public.
- Provide appropriate security measures for personal safety as necessary.
- Create a blame-free environment for staff to report blood re-irradiation systems to staff..or cases violence, and take steps for immediate follow-up, including victim support.
- Inform employees about self-assessment, reporting symptoms and staying home when sick.
- Maintain efficient working hours with breaks.
- Consult with health workers about occupational health and safety aspects and consult with the labor inspector in cases of occupational diseases... Inform...
- Not required to return to a work situation where there is a serious risk to health or well-being until the employer has taken the necessary corrective measures.
- Give employees the opportunity to leave the work situation if they have reasonable justification and believe there is an imminent and serious danger to their life or health.. The right to compensation, rehabilitation and medical care if they become infected with COVID-19 as a result of being on the premises. work.. and
- Enable cooperation between management and employees and/or their representatives.
Health workers should:
- Follow established occupational health and safety procedures, avoid exposing others to health and safety hazards, and participate in employer occupational health and safety training.
- Use provided protocols to assess, prioritize, and treat patients.
- Treat patients with respect, compassion, and dignity.
- Established procedures for Fast track public health reporting of suspected and confirmed cases.
- Provide or assist in providing accurate pollution prevention and control and public health information, including, those of concern who are asymptomatic and at risk. Illness and isolation in yourself or report to managers if illness occurs.
- Advise management in case of symptoms of unwanted stress or psychological problems requiring supportive interventions.. and
- Report to immediate supervisor any circumstances where there is reasonable justification to believe that there is an imminent and serious danger to life or health.
Additional Resources
As knowledge about the virus develops, WHO continues to develop and update technical guidance.
Useful information includes:
Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response, and control
Surveillance and case definitions
Basic research
Patient management
Infection prevention and control
Laboratory guidance
National preparedness
Risk communication and community engagement at risk
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