Once the main objectives have been achieved due to the decrease in cases of covid-19 and seeing the progress of immunization in Venezuela, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) together with the authorities of the Hospital Dr. Jesús Yerena de Lídice, in Caracas, decided to initiate a plan to reduce activities to end with the transfer of these at the end of the of March.
“MSF is in constant communication with hospital management and medical and non-medical staff regarding this handover process, which is being carried out in a joint and coordinated manner,” said Helena Cardellach, MSF General Coordinator for projects in Caracas.
The international medical-humanitarian organization has been supporting the health center since May 2021 in the care of patients with covid-19. This support has been carried out with the aim of reinforcing quality medical care, strengthening protocols and implementing the appropriate circuits, rehabilitating infrastructure and increasing care capacity.
In conjunction with health authorities, MSF made structural improvements related to water and sanitation, infection control and prevention, electrical systems, and repairs to biomedical units.
Trained patients, family members and health personnel
It was also possible to reinforce, together with the health teams, the necessary medical protocols to provide quality care to patients, while more beds were set up and triage and screening circuits created especially designed for the care of people with symptoms related to the virus.
MSF teams provided constant training to hospital staff and provided spaces to address the mental health of healthcare staff, patients and their families.
From May 2021 to date, the organization has set up 35 beds for the care of patients with covid-19. It supported 11,257 consultations for people with symptoms associated with the disease, carried out 1,968 mental health consultations and treated 505 patients in the hospitalization area.
In addition, 17,847 people were sensitized through health promotion, and 883 people from medical and non-medical teams received professional training.
Anticovid care will continue
Although MSF support ceases, the Hospital Dr. Jesús Yerena de Lídice will continue to care for patients with covid-19.
“During the time of reduction of activities, we have been working to strengthen and maintain the work that has been done in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and the hospital management, as is the case of training and training for health and non-health personnel. in terms of hygiene and disinfection protocols, infection prevention and control, patient care and mental health,” Cardellach highlighted.
Additionally, MSF donated enough medicine and medical supplies for the next two months.
Going forward, MSF will assess the needs in other areas of the country where it is necessary to support and channel efforts to reach more people with medical needs.
Doctors Without Borders maintains its commitment to continue working in a neutral, impartial and independent manner in the country so that vulnerable populations from other entities in Venezuela have access to free and quality health services.
This is how the organization maintains its operations in the states of Amazonas, Anzoátegui, Bolívar and Táchira.
With information from a press release.