Meeting of the leadership of the Trade Union Federation “SĂNĂTATEA” with the leadership of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection

On April 21, 2020, the leadership of the Trade Union Federation of Moldova “SĂNĂTATEA” had a meeting with the Minister and State Secretaries of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection. Discussions focused on the problems facing the health care system and health care workers in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. The overriding issue discussed was concentrated on the actions needed to be taken to reduce the massive infection of employees in the system.

In this context, the Trade Union Federation of Moldova “SĂNĂTATEA” requested to provide to all employees from the medical system involved in the diagnosis and treatment of all patients regardless of diagnosis with personal protective equipment according to WHO requirements and in the required volume. At the same time, was specified the primary role of training medical staff on individual protection measures regarding the risks of infection with Covid-19 and the imperative of testing medical workers.

Ms. Viorica Dumbrăveanu, Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection, gave assurances that no public medical-sanitary institution, which was involved in combating Covid-19, was not activated without proper staff training. Stocks of personal protective equipment were provided to all employees of those institutions. Also, it was elaborated the order of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection no. 188 of 26.02.2020 “On the implementation of measures to reduce the risk of spreading cases of new type of Coronavirus infection” and the strategic preparedness and response plan to the new type of Coronavirus infection in the Republic of Moldova. The leadership of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection assured us that the testing of infected and treated medical workers is performed by 2 tests at discharge and an additional test after 14 days in isolation. At the same time, we were assured that no medical worker will be refused to be tested, and for the future, the testing of medical workers will be performed according to the case definition, primarily those at risk of infection and the outbreak groups.

With reference to the staff training, a series of webinars were organized, which had as primary purpose the training of medical staff on risk assessment and behavior in combating Covid-19. It was emphasized that the primary role in training medical staff belongs to employers.

An important aspect is the designation in each public medical-sanitary institution of the persons responsible for the observance of the occupational safety and health norms regarding the control of Covid-19. Every public health-sanitary institution must constantly update its occupational health and safety plan. Measures have been taken to protect staff over the age of 60 by granting the right to temporarily suspend medical activity.

The Trade Union Federation of Moldova “SĂNĂTATEA” reiterated its position on providing the 100% supplement to the salaries of all medical workers involved in diagnosing and treating patients with Covid-19.

At the end of the discussion, the leadership of the Trade Union Federation of Moldova “SĂNĂTATEA” and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection mentioned the importance of objective approach to the problems faced by institutions and medical staff and joint identification through consultations and social dialogue of the best solutions.

Source: http://sindsan.md/