New Corona Doctor going to the site "Honestly, I'm afraid" April 17 19:55
It's been more than a week since the emergency was declared. The infection continues to spread on the 17th, with 201 people being confirmed as the largest number in one day in Tokyo. Amid uncertainties about the danger of medical collapse, doctors and nurses who are not specialized in infectious diseases and graduate students who are "unpaid doctors" are also at the forefront. A sense of mission to save lives and fear of infection. The people screaming as they head for the scene while shaking.
(Asako Wada, Reporter, Network News Department / Sayaka Kobayashi, Reporter, Social Department)
Request for New Corona Correspondence "Red Paper"
On the Internet, doctors and nurses who have been requested to deal with the new coronavirus are expressing their feelings one after another.
Some of them are like warrants.
"The ward of the workplace suddenly becomes a corona specialist ward, and we have accepted 20 people at a stretch. There are many staff without protective clothing, no zone division, no personnel replenishment, and respiratory equipment cannot be handled. It's like terrifying. "
" I wrote red paper. Only internal medicine doctors mobilize to the corona unit on a rotating basis. There is no risk allowance. It also includes graduate students without employment contract. It is finished. "
Non-specialist doctors also go to the site "Honestly I am very scared"
We also received a request from an ophthalmologist working at a general hospital in Tokyo.
It is said that doctors who are not specialized in infectious diseases are also at the forefront.
It is said that the ophthalmologist who responded to the interview was requested in early this month to be a "fever outpatient" who specially examines a person suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus.
I was spelling out my feelings at that time on Twitter.
From an ophthalmologist's Twitter,
"I've got a" red paper ". I'm in charge of the" fever outpatient "that I'm no longer able to keep as a medical doctor. I'm about to collapse medical care.
At the hospital where this doctor works, a "fever outpatient clinic" was set up around the middle of last month, and initially the doctors of internal medicine were the main supporters, but the number of visiting patients increased 1.5 times in about two weeks.
Gradually, medical doctors are reaching their limits, and now almost all medical departments are soliciting support from ophthalmologists and orthopedic doctors.
Ophthalmologist
"The current situation is that, due to the rapid increase in the number of patients, there is no choice but to include a doctor with little knowledge of infectious diseases instead of an exhausted internist for a flat out" fever outpatient. " I don't know, but the word “red paper” is also used by my colleagues and doctors at other medical institutions. I think it's likened to a soldier going out, but we're not in a situation where we can refuse the request. "
Insufficient medical materials What is perfect medical treatment?
What makes such doctors uneasy is the lack of medical supplies.
It is said that the medical mask called "surgical mask" used when examining a patient almost reaches the bottom and sometimes continues to use one piece for one week.
Ophthalmologist
"It cannot be said that the medical supplies are adequate because of the rapid spread of infection and the medical treatment is not complete. Even in a hospital without a ventilator, patients with poor respiratory conditions are hospitalized. I will carry it to the hospital, but the bed at the receiving hospital is also tight. ''
Every day heading to the scene while checking the taste of rice balls
And, in order to protect the medical field, there are things that I would like to ask in addition to the guidelines for consultation and consultation announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
If you have a fever of 37 degrees or less and 5 minutes or less, and do not have a taste disorder, strong dullness, or stuffy breath, first wait at home.
The doctor talks about why he asked:
Ophthalmologist
"I would like you to know the reality that medical care is about to collapse and take appropriate actions. To be honest, I am giving medical treatment while fearing that I may be infected with the tomorrow virus. I am worried that I will not know the taste of the rice balls I usually eat, and I stroke my chest every time I taste it.If I get infected, many of my colleagues, doctors and nurses, who are close contacts, collaborate with me. I'm really afraid that healthcare professionals will be unable to work and will really collapse. ''
"Unpaid doctors" are also on the front line
Some doctors have begun to be mobilized on the front lines without protecting their rights as workers.
For example, graduate students called "unpaid doctors" who work at university hospitals.
Although I am in charge of medical practice as a proper doctor with a doctor's license, it is pointed out that since it is a name for practical training and research, there are no salaries or very few even if I receive it, it is pointed out that the right as a worker is difficult to be recognized. I will.
A graduate student "unpaid doctor" who belongs to a university hospital in the Kanto region interviewed NHK. According to the testimony, at the university hospital where I work, mobilization of "unpaid doctors" began in April.
More than 100 new doctors will take turns treating patients with the new coronavirus, and according to the list, about one-third of the doctors whose names are written are graduate students, so-called "unpaid doctors". did.
At this university hospital, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has pointed out the need to improve the treatment of "unpaid doctors". From last year, more than 1,000 yen per hour was paid, but without a clear employment contract, I joined employment insurance. I'm sorry.
The workplace just instructed me to deal with the new coronavirus, but I didn't explain if I could get a risk allowance or if I was infected with a work-related accident.
"I understand my responsibilities ... but at least compensate me"
"Unpaid doctors" who responded to the interview said, "I don't know if I can get a PCR test to confirm the infection when I need it, and if I get infected, I can get a work injury." He said he was worried about getting tougher.
In addition, there are cases in which part-time jobs at external hospitals are being refused in order to prevent the spread of infection, and he said, “If you continue to do so for a long time, you will not be able to make a living,” he said.
“Unpaid doctor” graduate student
“I feel that as a doctor in the face of crisis in society as a whole, I have a duty to deal with the new coronavirus, but I would like to receive proper compensation.”
Support system Immediate maintenance
Naoto Ueyama, a “nationwide doctors union” who is familiar with doctors' labor problems, points out that there is a problem unique to Japan's medical system in the background of sorrowful voices from doctors responding to the new coronavirus.
Naoto Ueyama
“At the forefront of medical treatment such as university hospitals, there is a strong tendency that young people can not speak in the pyramid structure for many years. When appealing for workers' rights, it is said that“ If you dislike it, you can quit ”. Despite the harassment. Although doctors are on the front line with the sense of value that it is natural to go to the site for patients, there is a fact that it is half-forced and can not refuse.
On top of that, as the medical system will continue to be tight, the mobilization of "unpaid doctors" such as graduate students and doctors who are not specialized in infectious diseases may accelerate further, and the national responsibility should promptly establish a support system. I appealed.
Naoto Ueyama,
“The doctors are also human beings, and I am worried that I may be infected or my family may be infected through my work. I will prepare accommodations that can be isolated from my family during the medical treatment period, I think it is at least necessary to have a PCR test for all after the medical treatment is completed.In case of infection, it is necessary to clearly show that a doctor in any position is entitled to a work injury. Urgently wants to establish a system that allows them to work while being protected economically and healthily. "