The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 has put systems in place to transport nurses and other health care workers to and from their workplace in light of the recent institution of a curfew due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
From March 28, the region implemented an 8pm to 5 am curfew. However, with its implementation, a number of nurses and other health care workers have been voicing their concern about their difficulty in accessing transportation to and from work.
According to a release issued by the RDC, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephen said that the RDC is aware of the challenges that workers are facing and, in collaboration with the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), it has moved to implement an initiative geared at assisting those affected.
“There are about 40-50 healthcare staff members [whom we are taking] to and from work every [morning] and evening,” she was quoted as saying. “Two buses have been tasked with transporting [healthcare officials]. We can’t just leave the nurses on their own to get to and from work, [so we will] assist in the best way we can,” she added.
The DREO further went on to say that the council sees the healthcare workers as extremely vital as they are playing “a pivotal role” in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. She also noted that even though the RDC is constrained budget-wise, it will continue to look for ways and means in addressing several issues that are of grave concern to all. “We are currently assisting them by providing buses, fuel and drivers to ensure that they get to and from work once they are working during the curfew hours”, she said.
Acting Medical Superintendent of the LHC Dr. Joseph London, expressed his gratitude for the support of the RDC in such a trying time. “I would like to commend the Regional Democratic Council for its role in ensuring that health workers [are being] transported to and from work during the curfew hours. This is very important [because] if our nurses and other health care professionals cannot get out you know it would greatly affect the performance and quality of our work, so this is an initiative that we greatly appreciate,” Dr. London was quoted as saying.
