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Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKBN2652EL
September 14, 202010:39 AMUpdated 2 hours ago
Moroccan medics protest over conditions, staff shortages as pandemic surges
By Ahmed Eljechtimi
RABAT (Reuters) - Working conditions are so bad for some medics in Morocco handling a surging coronavirus outbreak that they have staged protests against inadequate staffing and poorly equipped facilities.
The kingdom recorded a record 2,430 cases on Friday and has confirmed more than 1,000 new cases every day since July - the steepest increase among its North African peers.
Some intensive care units in hospitals are overrun while other wards are full, according to unions representing health workers, and the national nurses’ movement said at least 526 of their members had been infected, aggravating staff shortages.
Anas Qarim, a nurse working at a hospital designated to treat COVID-19 in the central city of Meknes, said there were just three nurses and two doctors to treat 120 patients.
“Imagine wearing full protective gear in the summer heat working continuously for hours,” he said, speaking at a protest last week by dozens of medics in Rabat demanding better pay and conditions, at least the third such demonstration in two weeks.
A Health Ministry spokesman did not respond to requests for comment about working conditions and inadequate staffing.
King Mohammed VI said last month that the health situation “does not leave much room for optimism”.
Despite an intense three-month lockdown, the virus spread in Morocco and surged after restrictions were lifted, reaching more than 86,000 cases in total...
September 14, 202010:39 AMUpdated 2 hours ago
Moroccan medics protest over conditions, staff shortages as pandemic surges
By Ahmed Eljechtimi
RABAT (Reuters) - Working conditions are so bad for some medics in Morocco handling a surging coronavirus outbreak that they have staged protests against inadequate staffing and poorly equipped facilities.
The kingdom recorded a record 2,430 cases on Friday and has confirmed more than 1,000 new cases every day since July - the steepest increase among its North African peers.
Some intensive care units in hospitals are overrun while other wards are full, according to unions representing health workers, and the national nurses’ movement said at least 526 of their members had been infected, aggravating staff shortages.
Anas Qarim, a nurse working at a hospital designated to treat COVID-19 in the central city of Meknes, said there were just three nurses and two doctors to treat 120 patients.
“Imagine wearing full protective gear in the summer heat working continuously for hours,” he said, speaking at a protest last week by dozens of medics in Rabat demanding better pay and conditions, at least the third such demonstration in two weeks.
A Health Ministry spokesman did not respond to requests for comment about working conditions and inadequate staffing.
King Mohammed VI said last month that the health situation “does not leave much room for optimism”.
Despite an intense three-month lockdown, the virus spread in Morocco and surged after restrictions were lifted, reaching more than 86,000 cases in total...