The Fiji Times » COVID worry – Nurses union concerned with members family fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Felix Chaudhary
8 May, 2021, 12:15 pm
Fiji Emergency Medical assistance Team (FEMAT) set up a temporary medical facility at the old Government Supplies building in Nadovu Lautoka. Picture: REINAL CHAND
Nurses who were on duty at the Lautoka Hospital when two doctors tested positive for COVID-19 were not immediately informed of what had happened.
This, according to Fiji Nursing Association president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola.
“We had similar issues last year when the virus outbreak happened and we had hoped that this time around things would be done differently,” she claimed.
“Sadly, nurses were not informed and they continued to work inside the ward until some of them asked after the doctors. “It was only then that they were told the doctors had tested positive for COVID-19.
Felix Chaudhary
Nurses busy at the fever clinic at the Valelevu Health Centre.
Picture: JONA KONATACI/FILE
THE Fiji Nursing Association says it spent about $50,000 last year on personal protective equipment for its nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
President Dr Alisi Vudiniabola said because of their experiences in 2020 and how the country’s 3000 nurses were treated, they were waiting for the Health Ministry to contact them this time around.
“We really learnt our lesson last year because in a manner of speaking, we were discriminated against,” she said.
“There was a focus on doctors – and yes, we acknowledge they are critical to how we battle this virus.
Felix Chaudhary
Lautoka hospital on lockdown. Picture: FT FILE
Nurses who are locked down inside the Lautoka Hospital are having sleepless nights, worried about the welfare of family members at home, says Fiji Nursing Association president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola.
She said many did not have time to pass on bank cards to family members when the lockdown was enforced – and there were some who were breastfeeding and had little children who were completely dependent on them.
Dr Vudiniabola also said she was concerned the conditions nurses would be forced to work under inside the hospital – how their shifts would be rotated and who would replace them if they got burnt out.
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