Covid-19 has changed the very fabric of the world, and as this week's edition of The Guardian, a British newspaper, aptly described, the world has been turned upside down. Brazil is no exception, as our healthcare system is in need of improvement.
THE Secretary of Health The Rio de Janeiro State Department of Health reported this week that 711,000 ICU beds in the state's health system are occupied by patients infected with the novel coronavirus. In the ward, patients who contracted COVID-19 occupy almost 501,000 beds. The official data comes from the state health department.
The bed occupancy rate for these patients has shown considerable growth. Last week, the rates were 63% in the ICU and 41% in the ward.
But we know that unfortunately many cariocas in Rio are not respecting this quarantine period and are going out on the streets without the necessary protection.
According to official information, the state health network's numbers reflect what healthcare professionals have been saying since the virus arrived in Brazil: there are not enough beds available for all patients.
The last Covid-19 bulletin published by the state was late in the afternoon of this Monday (13), unfortunately it was indicated that 182 people have already died infected by the virus and that another 88 deaths are under investigation. Rio de Janeiro, which also has its Governor infected, has 3,221 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and is the second most affected state by the disease.
What is being done about the lack of beds in Rio?
As far as we know, the lack of beds, however, is only one of the obstacles to serving the population. The state also needs to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, respirators, and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
We know that the health system in Rio has been in crisis for about five years, at the municipal, state and federal levels.
Among municipalities, we see that the lack of professionals and supplies is the main concern. At the state level, the situation is now under control, but overcrowding still exists.
However, in the federal network, the Union sent military personnel last year to provide a “management shock.”
Ultimately, what we hope for is the end of this complex period we are living in.
Source: Sao Paulo Newspaper