When the first cases of coronavirus infection appeared, the Ukrainian authorities took decisive measures: they canceled mass events and closed schools. But, as in other countries, the virus continues to spread and the number of infected is approaching a thousand. WHO Representative in the country Osnat Lubrani addressed Ukrainians in an article that can be called an open letter to the authorities and citizens of Ukraine.
“The situation is still serious. It is difficult to imagine that someone would take a “pandemic” frivolously, but I will repeat it once again: the time has come to wake up - for the whole world and for Ukraine. ... The rate of spread of the pandemic is accelerating. Therefore, I advise everyone - both governments and every citizen - to take this threat very seriously. ”
According to Osnat Lubrani, today we are in a state of real war with the virus, and doctors and all medical personnel are at the forefront. They are at greater risk than any of us, so healthcare workers must be protected first: they must have adequate protective equipment and not be exposed to the threat of infection in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. “Think for yourself: is it fair that doctors do not have enough protective equipment, and someone puts on a mask when they go to have fun with friends? Such ill-considered actions limit our ability to treat patients in serious condition, ”writes a UN spokeswoman.
She urges citizens not to go to doctors with minor problems and not burden them with requests that can wait.
“It is very important that hospitals have enough beds for patients with COVID-19 who need hospitalization,” said Osnat Lubrani. “Therefore, I ask everyone who suspects symptoms of the disease to isolate themselves first and call their family doctor.”
Lubrani warned that many more Ukrainians will become infected with the coronavirus, and now it is important to do everything to slow down the spread of the infection and focus on helping patients with severe symptoms. She stressed that one of the most important measures is to maintain a distance between people.
“At the same time, spring has come, the street is warming and many have decided to take a walk in the parks or go to barbecue with friends,” complains Osnat Lubrani. Unfortunately, the threat of the virus, although invisible, is quite real. I urge every Ukrainian to take responsibility for keeping their distance from others and paying special attention to personal hygiene. ”
“COVID-19 is a new disease,” the UN spokeswoman said, “and we still know very little about it, but data from other countries indicate that coronavirus should never be taken lightly.”
She believes that in recent years Ukrainians have proved that they are able to organize themselves and are ready to help each other in difficult times: “I am pleased to see how quickly the volunteers mobilized and began to support those who most need help.”
COVID-19 caused not only a health crisis but also an economic downturn. Lubrani notes that the losses will be especially painful for those who do not have regular jobs. It will not be easy for women, who will have to take leave at their own expense to take care of their children while the kindergartens and schools are not working. Among the most vulnerable groups, according to Osnat Lubrani, are displaced persons, migrants, single mothers, elderly people, people living with HIV, people with disabilities or families of participants in the Joint Forces Operation.
The representative of the WHO called on politicians and officials to leave disagreements aside and, without wasting time, together to confront the epidemic. At the same time, "the central and regional authorities should work as a single mechanism in order to timely respond to changing priorities or organize the delivery of protective equipment to where they are lacking." Lubrani proposed to create a single body that would be responsible for the coordination of medical measures and for socio-economic stabilization.
Osnat Lubrani recalled that a whole network of UN agencies operates in the country, which were able to quickly reorient their work towards combating coronavirus. The UN has adopted a plan to counter COVID-19 in Ukraine, the implementation of which will require $ 165 million during the year. 34 million of them are intended for the eastern regions, including the territories of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions not controlled by Kiev.
The role of the state is also important in countering disinformation related to the pandemic. The government and Internet companies should provide exclusively verified facts, give citizens clear and understandable advice, and Lubrany urged Ukrainians to use only verified sources of information, such as channels of the Ministry of Health and WHO websites.
Raising public awareness is one of the four key areas of UN action. The other three are about strengthening medical and critical infrastructure, including all the same masks, disinfectants.
