A decree, published next week, will make it possible to use doctors with diplomas outside the European Union to come to the aid of the overseas territories in the fight against the coronavirus, announced on Saturday Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
"As the law allows us, we will make it possible, in an exceptional way, to be able to use doctors who have degrees outside the European Union", announced Edouard Philippe, during a press conference on Saturday, to present government strategy for the epidemic. "A decree will be issued next week," he added.
Several elected officials from overseas were demanding the arrival of Cuban doctors. An amendment to this effect, brought by Senator Catherine Conconne and Senator for Guadeloupe Dominique Théophile, was adopted last June. He is still awaiting an implementing decree.
An increase in the number of beds
The Overseas Territories, less affected for the moment than France, with a total of nearly 550 cases and three deaths, have more fragile health systems, which raise fears of a health disaster in these territories. The Prime Minister announced that the government would "increase the capacity for resuscitation of hospital services" in these territories.
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"The West Indies will go from 81 beds in normal times to 169 beds", with "the supply next week of 32 respirators (...). Mayotte which currently has only 16 beds, will go to 50 beds and will be brought seven respirators, "he said. Guyana will go "from 29 to 40 intensive care beds, Reunion from 111 to 161 beds," he added.
Human reinforcements and two army helicopter carriers
Finally, the government will "plan the deployment of human reinforcements with the health reserve" in these territories, and "now for the West Indies where Covid-19 is rampant at the epidemic stage". He also promised that in terms of testing, "machines that we have purchased will be sent directly to the Antilles and Reunion".
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The Prime Minister also recalled that the sending of the two helicopter carriers of the army, in the Antilles / Guyana zone and in the Indian Ocean, was aimed at "welcoming patients, unloading hospitals on site, but also to ensure essential logistics flows ". Finally, he assured that "national solidarity" would "play a full role" also in New Caledonia, Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, even if health responsibility is the responsibility of these territories.