Healthcare professionals at Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City and nationwide have been vocal about the subpar working conditions they endure. Nurse Mayra Escobar, in a poignant act of protest, held a sign that conveyed a powerful message: 'Heroes Eat Too.' This rally, which took place this month in Guatemala City, aimed to highlight the grievances of temporary hospital workers facing a three-month delay in payments. The dedication of these frontline heroes deserves more than just acknowledgment—it demands urgent attention to address their concerns and improve the overall working environment. 🏥💙 #HealthcareHeroes #WorkplaceConditions The shortage of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers was especially pronounced in the initial months of the pandemic, fueling a surge in complaints. Front-line workers found themselves grappling with restricted access to essential resources, enduring unfavorable working conditions, unpaid salaries, and encountering backlash when voicing their concerns. Beyond the healthcare sector, individuals making a living in markets face a dual challenge. While some diligently wear face masks, others, as depicted below, forego this precautionary measure. This diversity in safety practices underscores the complex and varied responses within communities to the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. 🩹👥 #COVID19Response #HealthcareChallenges Today in Prensa Libre an article said that 3 Mayan towns refuse to use face masks saying Cov-19 does not exist even thought there have been 7.81% infection rate. This is another flyer from the Government to promote stay at home for Easter: "The best act of love to your community is stay at home". | As of today, Guatemala has reported 198,374 COVID-19 cases, with 182,408 recoveries and 6,928 fatalities. Despite a total population of 16.6 million in 2019, only 115,024 individuals have received vaccinations, and unfortunately, details regarding vaccination locations are lacking—an alarming gap in the recording system. In stark contrast, the UK, with a population of 66.65 million in 2019, has administered 37.4 million vaccine doses to date. This glaring discrepancy underscores the healthcare inequality between Guatemala and the UK. Compounding these challenges, there is a concerning trend where some communities doubt the reality of COVID-19, putting everyone at risk. Addressing these disparities and bolstering public health awareness are crucial steps toward a more equitable and resilient future. 🌐💉 #COVID19Update #HealthInequality In conversations with my family and friends in Guatemala, it's evident that the vaccination program is grappling with organizational challenges, further compounded by widespread disbelief in its existence. Responsible citizens, cognizant of the situation, opt to stay at home, continuing to work if possible and relying on their savings. Notably, there's no Furloughed scheme or tax relief for those working from home, adding to the economic strain. This scenario underscores the difficulties the Guatemalan government is facing in its efforts. The scarcity of transport resources further complicates the situation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions. 🌐🤝 #GuatemalaHealthcare #COVID19Challenges DANIEL REYES, OFFICE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN WORKERS' RIGHTS UNIT has been unable to obtain the statistic, though he believes the official figure is a severe undercount. The government’s management of personnel staffing temporary hospitals treating COVID-19 patients has also been a mess, he said. Union leaders say the non-permanent contracts that many Guatemalan healthcare workers are hired on, contribute to the precarity and risk they have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of the approximately 50,000 health workers in Guatemala work from contract to contract, often without health insurance or other labor rights, such as paid holidays. Hope this World Health Day you learn and appreciate what we got int he UK. Thank you for reading. Patty |
April 7th marks World Health Day, a significant occasion observed by the World Health Organization. This year, the focus is on fostering awareness and inspiring collective efforts to construct a fairer, healthier world for all. Let's join hands in championing global health equity! 🌍💙 #WorldHealthDay #HealthForAll
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorBorn in the country of Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|