As health care facilities continue to deal with an influx of people with COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and dengue fever, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) is urging the country to take these illnesses more seriously.
President Dr Lynda Williams gave that advice as she explained how much the illnesses were affecting the public health sector.
“BAMP recognises that many people may be saying [of] respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, RSV and influenza, dengue fever – so what? Not only do these illnesses cause people who are medically vulnerable, young children and the elderly to be very unwell, but they may also have a significant impact on our health care systems.
“Our health care institutions were already under strain from non-communicable diseases such as heart failure, stroke, heart attacks, diabetes and cancers. Our hospitals are now faced with admissions due to a spectrum of viral respiratory illnesses and dengue fever,” Williams told the Daily Nation.
Although there are no mandates at this stage, the BAMP leader said people needed to be more cautious by remaining at home when sick, wearing masks and practising good hygiene. (TSG)
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