25 May 2021
At least 115,000 health care workers (HCWs) have died during the pandemic to date, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr Tedros told the 74th World Health Assembly in Geneva this week, and pointed to the "scanty reporting" on HWC deaths and infection rates.
International Council of Nurses (ICN) Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton, commenting on Dr Tedros’s address, said: “Tragically Dr Tedros’s confirmation that at least 115,000 health care workers have died due to COVID-19 backs up what ICN has been saying since the beginning of the pandemic, that reporting on nurse and other health care worker deaths and infection rates has been inadequate and represents a catastrophic failure to take their safety seriously.
“It is also the hallmark of a serious lack of investment in health care and the lack of prioritisation of our nurses and other HCWs,’’ said Mr Catton, who is a guest speaker at the ANMF (SA Branch) Annual Professional Conference (August 4-5).
“These workers are our most valuable health assets and we must protect them in a spirit of compassion and humanity or face dire repercussions not only for our health systems but also our economies and security.
“But let’s not try to diminish our shock and anger upon learning that at least 115,000 of our colleagues and friends have given the ultimate sacrifice. These 115,000 deaths are the equivalent of a commercial airliner crashing with no survivors every day for the past 17 months since the pandemic started. It is a disgrace.”