2023-12-15 11:44:07
Viennese patient advocate Gerhard Jelinek is calling for immediate supplies of Paxlovid to be ensured
Vienna (OTS/RK) – “We have more acute Covid sufferers than ever before in Vienna and the most important medication for vulnerable people is still not available,” criticizes the Viennese patient advocate, Dr. Gerhard Jelinek. “The wave does not come as a surprise following all infection control measures were dropped and wastewater monitoring has shown clear signs of a sharp increase for weeks. But the mismanagement that is evident in this situation is shocking. After the Minister of Health guaranteed that Paxlovid would finally be available in every pharmacy in Vienna from the beginning of the week, numerous current complaints to the Vienna Nursing and Patient Advocates confirm the exact opposite,” said the patient advocate and added: ” We have desperate patients, some with serious previous illnesses, calling pharmacies all over Vienna and Lower Austria for Paxlovid in order to be able to use the medication to prevent a serious course of the disease. Since the intake must be started within the first five days of the onset of the illness, for many this time window has already closed.”
A central location for Paxlovid
Jelinek: “It is absolutely unreasonable for sick patients to have to spend hours researching and traveling to other federal states to obtain the medication. There is an immediate need for a place through which sick people can obtain Paxlovid. Those affected are tired of hearing that all those involved in the health system would like to help, but simply have no information regarding where stocks are available or are unable to set up logistics that make these stocks accessible to patients.
First digitally, instead of outpatient or inpatient
“If you have already calculated incorrectly in advance, then at least now you have to pull out all the stops to redistribute and inform patients regarding the availability of Paxlovid in their area. The health hotline 1450 would be an existing facility that can do this. Digitally, instead of outpatient or inpatient,” says the patient advocate.
Vaccination offerings, protective measures and information campaign are inadequate
“The current supply crisis is the culmination of a series of inadequate or non-existent measures to protect the population,” criticizes Jelinek. “A large-scale information campaign regarding (almost) free flu vaccinations was soon followed by disillusionment that at first there were hardly any vaccination appointments and then soon no vaccine was available anymore, as it had only been available for a fraction of Viennese people. In addition to the flu vaccination, the insured also began the arduous search for doctors who offer the Covid vaccination and who make appointments before the wave begins. Here too, the vaccine has the special feature of being delivered in 6-vial ampoules and the special storage conditions are completely ignored, which means that bedridden, particularly vulnerable people cannot find a family doctor who can vaccinate them during a home visit. Patient advocate Gerhard Jelinek: “What was easily organized in the past via the health hotline 1450 is now no longer offered. The ÖGK rejects the financing of patient transport to the family doctor.”
No preparation for Covid winter
“In addition, there was insufficient for proven protective measures such as the mask and a Covid test offer that was hardly available for a long time and was sometimes very expensive,” the patient advocate states and adds: “The seriousness of a wave of infections is not only reflected in the number of surfaces in intensive care units but also by the economic costs of mass sick leave and the long-term consequences of further Long Covid patients, which cannot yet be estimated. Sick leave, which further worsens the staffing problems in hospitals, must be avoided at all costs and vulnerable people in hospitals must be protected by consistently wearing masks.” (Conclusion)
Questions & Contact:
Mag.a Dominique stepson, MA
Vienna Nursing and Patient Advocacy Office
Phone: 01 5871204-82520
Email: dominique.stiefsohn@wien.gv.at
www.patientenanwaltschaft.wien.at
1702640823
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