Doctors in the Netherlands say they do not have sufficient protective equipment and time to properly deal with the coronavirus outbreak. This was stated in the letter addressed to the Dutch Minister of Health Bruno Bruins.
The GPs are quite worried. According to their action committee, Huisarts van de Toekomst, a petition set up by them received 1,400 doctors’ signatures in just three hours.
“You do not want someone with a possible coronavirus infecting the waiting room,” Edith Plum, a GP from Nuenen, explains. “But we have no way to stop it. We have now put up notes: If you have a fever, report to the front desk. This may prevent possible contaminations.”
The doctors are also concerned that they will infect their patients themselves as they cannot protect themselves against the virus. In addition, GPs are at risk of being overburdened. Patients who are worried about a possible infection tend to contact their GP, even though those people do not fit in the risk profile.
Source: Omroep Brabant
Translator: Shufei
Editor: Melinda Walraven
