Opinions & Interviews

WHO expert assesses Belarus’ COVID-19 treatment capacity

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MINSK, 29 January (BelTA) – The Belarusian healthcare system is capable of providing treatment to all COVID-19 patients, Head of the WHO Country Office in Belarus Masoud Dara told reporters, BelTA has learned.

Speaking about some European countries, Masoud Dara noted that due to the very rapid spread of the epidemic, some health systems “nearly collapsed, being unable to take care of all patients”.

“Health systems can handle a certain number of cases, but if the number of COVID-19 patients grows exponentially, as in Italy, then patients are placed in wards, corridors, all kinds of temporarily converted facilities, and in this case it becomes impossible to provide proper medical care,” he said

To be able to cope with the pandemic, a country needs a well-developed and functioning health system, Masoud Dara said. “Belarus’ health system is able to meet the needs of the population for treatment. However, it is important to keep in mind what difficulties the countries faced with the rapid spread of the infection, therefore it is essential to focus on prevention, awareness raising and conscious observation of simple rules,” the expert said.

At the same time, Masoud Dara noted that not all patients need a hospitalization and even a visit to a healthcare facility, so it is important to think about delivering facility-based services remotely.

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