Health workers want government support, not criticism
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 28th March 2020, Nicosia
Instead of the government and the Minister of Health blaming health officials for the prevailing situation in public hospitals, they must focus on how they support in practice and effectively those who are waging the battle against the pandemic.
A great deal could be said about the bad situation of public hospitals, the shortage of staff and the problems they have been facing in recent years. The period the country is going through are difficult, however, and now isn’t the time to discuss them.
Despite our Party’s critical views on the whole situation, we deliberately choose to focus on the effort to address the unprecedented situation we have before us. However, it is the government that plays the decisive role in confronting the pandemic. It is the one that has the primary responsibility.
Health officials, who from the very first day and from the battle front are waging the colossal battle to combat the pandemic, are justifiably protesting about the situation in hospitals.
The government’s concern mustn’t be to conceal but to tackle the problems. We reiterate our appeal to the Government:
- It should support hospitals more resolutely and swiftly.
- It must utilize private hospitals more determinedly in this whole effort.
- It must ensure that all health workers have the necessary supplies, equipment and consumables to carry out their duties safely.
