CONCERNED citizens have been disappointed to hear of recent discrimination against members of the healthcare profession, since Guyana confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 11, 2020. Since then, this publication has spoken with members of the healthcare profession regarding the treatment that has been meted out to them by some members of the public, some private sector businesses, public transportation operators and most disappointingly, another member of the key services sector, a policeman.

Like other key service sector workers, members of the healthcare profession are often underpaid, underappreciated and overworked. The recent COVID-19 outbreak in Guyana has now firmly put into perspective the importance of the work of healthcare professionals and the sacrifices that they make in order to keep us alive and healthy.

Worldwide, as millions of people stay at home to minimise transmission of the disease, healthcare workers prepare to do the exact opposite. They will go to clinics and hospitals, putting themselves at high risk from COVID-2019. Figures from China’s National Health Commission show that more than 3300 health-care workers have been infected as of early March. In Italy, 20% of responding healthcare workers was infected, and some have died. Reports from medical staff describe physical and mental exhaustion, the torment of difficult triage decisions, and the pain of losing patients and colleagues, all in addition to the infection risk.

As the pandemic accelerates, access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers is a key concern. Medical staffs are prioritised in many countries, but PPE shortages have been described in the most affected facilities. Some medical staff is waiting for equipment while already seeing patients, who may be infected, being supplied with equipment that might not meet the requirements. Alongside concerns for their personal safety, healthcare workers are anxious about passing on the infection to their families. Health-care workers, who care for elderly patients or young children, will be drastically affected by school closures, social distancing policies, and disruption in the availability of food and other essentials.

In many developing nations, the healthcare system is often fragile, under-funded and incapable of responding to large scale crisis such as the present COVID-19 global pandemic. Healthcare professionals are on the frontlines of any human crisis: wars, famine, disease, etc, while risking their lives because they have a genuine desire to help people overcome whatever ailment, accident or disease they are currently battling to overcome. They take care of us when we are unable to do so ourselves, oftentimes in incredibly adverse, life or death circumstances. They help us when we are at our most vulnerable and in need. They are often confronted by death on a daily basis and are expected to maintain their professionalism in the face of distress.

Healthcare workers and professionals’ families are also deeply affected by their work. The irregular and extended working hours make family life difficult. The personal sacrifice of one’s own health and wellbeing is often made by many healthcare professionals who experience physical and psychological problems because of the nature of their jobs. During this current pandemic, some nations have taken the step to separate healthcare workers from their families whilst they battle to fight the spread of COVID-19 and to treat those who have already been infected by the virus, including many frontline healthcare workers. Whilst the separation of a parent or spouse might be difficult for most, in times such as these, it might be even more overwhelming for concerned family members and their children.

Healthcare workers do not earn great sums of money, especially if we consider the importance of the role that they play in our society and their contribution to maintaining our collective health and wellbeing as a nation. We must stand with them in solidarity to demand better working conditions, compensation and career outcomes. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have sadly lost a number of healthcare professionals throughout the world. We cannot allow their lives to be lost in vein and without proper recognition for the sacrifices that they have made. Their contribution to combating COVID-19 cannot be forgotten nor should it be overlooked. We must stand in gratitude and praise of our healthcare professionals.