thebahamasweekly.com - Health and Safety of Patients and Healthcare Workers continue to be the priority

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Health and Safety of Patients and Healthcare Workers continue to be the priority
By Llonella Gilbert
Aug 15, 2020 - 8:47:00 AM

Nassau, The Bahamas – Minister of Health the Hon. Renward Wells said the health and safety of all patients and staff of the Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health, the Public Hospitals Authority, and Ministry partners continue to be the priority.

“Protocols will continue to be implemented to minimize patient and staff exposure across institutions and agencies,” Minister Wells stated at a COVID-19 Update press conference at the Ministry of Health on Friday, August 14, 2020.

“This will, from time-to-time, result in service and organizational changes, but the expected outcome of these measures will be for the benefit of all.”

He explained that MOH Officials have heard the concerns of the unions and associations with whom the Ministry has agreements.

The Minister said, “We will continue our meetings in the coming days to hear grievances; address the concerns of staff; and to find the best possible approach required for advancing the good of The Bahamian people and our teams across the healthcare sector.”

He noted that key to MOH Officials’ appreciation of workers is the provision of a safe workplace.

Minister Wells said, “Employers and managers are encouraged to be careful how they treat their employees who may have tested positive for COVID-19. Keeping their confidentiality is a must.

“This would encourage an employee to open up regarding further challenges. This openness is needed to get our hands around this virus.”

He stated that COVID-19 preventative measures apply to everyone on every island and cay throughout the country. “Everyone must do their part to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.”

The Health Minister noted that one notable challenge in New Providence this week was the closure of Government offices and quasi Government agencies due to COVID-19.

He explained that it is important to be aware that the Ministry of Health and the Department of Environmental Health Services must be informed immediately when a positive case is identified, if the person has –

developed COVID-19 symptoms on the job; and
worked in a facility for within a seven day period.

Minister Wells said the Department of Environmental Health Services will provide guidance on the cleaning of the affected area.

He said, “Currently, I am consulting with my colleague Minister of the Environment to determine whether modifications to the existing protocols for sanitisation of buildings/workplaces should be amended.”

Minister Wells added, “The Surveillance Unit of The Ministry of Health will conduct its contact tracing and risk assessment exercises. This process can be lengthy if it generates a widely cast net. The inevitability of COVID-19 being traced to a workplace as we have experienced this week and weeks prior is a reality.”