Paris (AFP)
The Minister of Health Olivier Véran promised the delivery of "500,000 masks per day to the medico-social sector" and detailed measures to facilitate access to care for people with disabilities, during a press conference on Saturday with the secretary of 'State responsible for the Sophie Cluzel sector.
Mr. Véran assured that the request of the medico-social sector (establishments for the elderly, disabled, home care, dependency ...) of "500,000 masks per day" had been taken into account.
He admits, however, that "there are always these eternal logistical problems, for which we have strengthened our distribution schemes" in particular with the help of the departments which "help us in the distribution of protective equipment both intended for medico-social establishments but also for those who work at home ".
He listed the measures taken to facilitate access to care for people with disabilities in the coronavirus crisis, such as teleconsultations or the mobilization of volunteer caregivers. He quoted "the liberals for example, but also the health reserve, health students" or, "if necessary", "the requisition of health professionals".
"The mobilization of these solutions will be ensured by the medico-social unit set up by all the regional health agencies", which "will be the interlocutor of the professionals of the old age and the handicap in a transverse way".
So that the 15 centers take into account "the weaknesses specific to certain handicaps", "reflex sheets (on how to behave) drawn up with associations and federations will be sent to them as soon as possible".
"Ultimately we will have to move towards a system in which in each center 15, a regulatory doctor will also be a specialist in disability", according to Mr. Véran.
He also wanted the development of "mobile teams" responsible for coming to carry out Covid-19 tests directly in establishments welcoming disabled people.
In the event of hospitalization, the latter "will benefit from the direct admission system in hospital services" as provided for in the care strategy for the elderly, he said.
The Minister also assured that "exceptionally", a caregiver, professional or family, may be admitted to the disabled person "under very strict security conditions", if the establishment is unable to '' provide the necessary support.
Concerns have arisen among associations and health professionals regarding access to care for people with disabilities, going as far as to evoke a "sorting out" to the detriment of patients suffering from disabilities that the minister clearly refuted on Saturday.
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