Health workers in São Paulo receive low-quality protective masks from Covas.
The model delivered by Bruno Covas' administration is made of a much thinner material than usual, which reduces protection against the coronavirus.
Current Brazil Network - The protective masks delivered today (15) to health workers by the government of Mayor Bruno Covas (PSDB) are of low quality, made of a much thinner material than the masks normally used in the health network, denounces the Union of Municipal Employees of São Paulo (Sindsep). The material, from the Bompack brand, has been delivered to the units since the beginning of the week.
Staff members took photos comparing the models, and the difference in thickness between them is significant. “I don’t know if it’s better to work with or without this mask. This is a way for the city hall to silence us, to say they are protecting healthcare professionals. It’s shameful to offer this material in the middle of this situation,” reported a healthcare worker who asked not to be identified.
The Sindsep union has been denouncing the lack of PPE for healthcare workers, who are forced to reuse parts of their equipment, use garbage bags as aprons, work without protective masks, among other problems, when attending to patients suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus – putting their own lives at risk. In addition to masks, there is a shortage of gloves, hand sanitizer, face shields, surgical caps, and other body protection items. Waterproof aprons and coveralls have not been received in sufficient quantities for these professionals.
Research conducted by the union revealed that 62% of healthcare workers say they do not have access to N95 masks, and also face a shortage of protective masks (52%). Furthermore, 70% of professionals lack alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and 30% lack gowns. Mapping workplace safety conditions, the research showed that the possibility of contamination is even greater for employees in the COVID-19 risk group, who represent almost a third of public employees, considering only those aged 60 or older.
According to Sindsep's assessment, the lack of adequate protective equipment is directly linked to the increase in healthcare workers taking leave. In the second half of March alone, the healthcare service in the capital of São Paulo lost 559 workers for various health reasons. There is no information on cases of coronavirus among the healthcare professionals on leave, but the increase in the number of sick leaves coincides with the period of advancement of the epidemic in São Paulo.
Considering only the 11 hospitals managed by the Municipal Hospital Authority (AHM), 154 healthcare workers were absent from work during that period. The data was compiled by Sindsep and refers to municipal hospitals, emergency rooms, Urgent Care Units (UPAs), and the authority's headquarters.
The situation may also be linked to the deaths of at least 16 healthcare workers from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. According to the Sindsep union leadership, the information was collected through records from colleagues, friends, and family members on social media and in the press. Last Sunday, workers protested on Avenida Paulista, demanding better working conditions for the category, sufficient PPE for the teams, and the availability of tests to confirm cases of coronavirus among workers.