Stalemate in the Kaliningrad region, where there was a mass dismissal of doctors in the midst of an epidemic of coronavirus, the most talked about topic now in the exclave. The Minister of health of the Kaliningrad region Alexander Kravchenko told about 350 medical staff who wished to leave the job. The remaining doctors had to divide into groups so they can work at a time. And as it became known, most of those who have left post — people older than 65 years. What increases the risk of infection. About this situation, “MK” talked to the President of the “League for the protection of doctors” Semyon Galperin.
What was the reason for the mass dismissal of doctors?
– We do not know. Fired somehow haven’t given the word. I think some people are afraid to speak openly. On the other hand, this province and there are generally difficult to hear the voice of the people. But the situation is clear. In Kaliningrad the last time it was a very difficult position. This region, which vividly demonstrated the results of the so-called optimization, and the doctors had a lot of problems. Now, in connection with the coronavirus, common problem – there is no quality of working conditions, no PPE remains the issue of salaries, which ends only with promises of big payouts.
What can be the way out of this situation?
– it really bothers Me that instead of having to start negotiations with doctors, they are wave attacks. If they are obliged to do everything no matter what. While doctors nobody. It’s such a bureaucratic question and it leads to a crisis in the system. The state has used and people have used that for doctors to blame for any problems. They will work in all conditions, without rest, without means of protection, but also free of charge.
In fact, the doctor has no right to go to work, if it is not provided with means of individual protection in General, if he sees that his work will do more harm than good. In this case, he can become infected and spread the infection to become a source of disease to others. We get from across the country reports that the medical team identified patients, as people say: “Work no matter what”. There are a number of situations where, for example, in St. Petersburg, the Ambulance refused to take the call, because they did not have PPE. All of this doctors are silent, but now is just unsustainable. The situation in Kaliningrad is a cry of despair.
what do you think will change the attitude of the doctors after an epidemic?
– we now Have all the screens say that the doctor – heroes of the country. They advanced and people without them can not live. And actually, what’s happening? Here, in the same Kaliningrad on the doctor Elina Suckevich (approx. ed doctors, detained on the case of the death of a premature baby) there was again pressure from the Investigative Committee. We thought it was the attitude of the doctors formally changed and the prosecution stops, but nothing happens.
– is it Possible that in the condition of shortage of doctors, doctors will be able to establish a dialogue with the authorities?
– Sure there. Regional officials of the health care system can afford not to carry out direct orders of the President and come up with ways to circumvent them. For example, to obtain compensation to the victims or ill health to employees, they need to prove that they contracted in the workplace, and not on the way to work.
While not bear direct responsibility those who destroyed the healthcare system in the country, closed all these hospitals will not change anything. We are unable to cope with the epidemic, because we have destroyed half of the hospitals, and the people who made it, continue to sit in their official chairs. Doctors in Russia do not have even the right to strike. The only way to counter this pressure – dismissal. Other possibilities to resist they have.
