Unions claim one thing, Zalihić another: Emergency service has enough protective equipment

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – The presidents of three unions within the JU Institute for Emergency Medical Aid KS sent a letter to director Adem Zalihić at the beginning of this month, requesting a postponement of the mandatory regular training due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Even with the observance of all epidemiological measures, we believe this is an additional exposure to the possible spread of Covid 19 infection. Keep in mind that we recently had a colleague die who contracted the virus while performing his regular duties, and that employees have not yet recovered from that unfortunate event.”

Director Zalihić responded to this letter stating that the training (internal medicine case) was supposed to be held in March but was postponed due to Covid 19, and that they are obliged to conduct it because they must complete another training (trauma case) by the end of the year. Referring to the death of the colleague mentioned by the union leaders in their letter (Džebrail Šišić), director Zalihić said that there is a possibility that he contracted the virus while performing his duties, but that it cannot be stated with certainty.

Dissatisfied employees contacted the Patria News Agency, claiming that medical workers are poorly equipped and without adequate protective equipment, and that they have to make house calls like that.

Director Zalihić presented his view of the entire situation in an interview with the Patria News Agency. He confirmed that the first mandatory training is being held in compliance with all epidemiological measures.

“Considering the entire epidemiological situation, which, thank God, has improved, I decided to proceed with it while observing the measures that we ourselves prescribe (Zalihić is a member of the Crisis Staff, author’s note). This was much harder for those who need to organize it than for the employees themselves. We have organized ourselves completely, the center has been disinfected, all employees wear masks, it is organized in groups, with three members per team. We have to live with the corona,” said Zalihić.

He stated that the Emergency Service has a complete record of those who fell ill and those who were in isolation, and that he presented this data at the KS Crisis Staff, which will also be requested from other healthcare institutions.

“We had 32 people in isolation, 18 tested positive for Covid, three were hospitalized, and unfortunately, one died,” said Zalihić.

When asked if there were any cases of employee infection after any intervention, Zalihić said that they do not have such cases.

“I am not saying that the late Šišić did not contract the virus at the Emergency Service, but I have absolutely no proof that he did. There is no need to sow insecurity because it negatively affects people,” he said.

Zalihić explained that the Emergency Service was the first to receive recommendations on how to protect staff and vehicles, which they then adapted and developed for all emergency services in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He emphasizes that they have enough protective equipment and precisely defined protocols for handling different cases.

“When going to pick up a patient who is Covid positive, the healthcare worker must completely put on the protective suit and all equipment, and there is enough of this equipment. When we go to a suspicious patient, the equipment includes a gown, cap, visor, gloves, and mask. When you go to any patient and have no minimum suspicion that they are a Covid patient, you must wear a mask and gloves. Every employee has received their personal visor,” said Zalihić.

He added that it would be best to visit the Institute for Emergency Medical Aid and see the conditions among the employees firsthand.