Covid-19: many initiatives to support caregivers in Portugal
Audio 01:17
A Covid-19 intensive care unit at the Curry Cabral hospital in Lisbon, Thursday, February 11, 2021. AP - Armando Franca
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
In Portugal, the effects of the confinement decreed in mid-January are starting to bear fruit.
The situation is slowly improving in Portuguese hospitals which have been strained in recent weeks.
But the pressure remains high for hospital staff.
Many initiatives have been put in place to help the saturated health system.
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With our special
correspondent in Lisbon,
Anastasia Becchio
Two caregivers in pale green outfits push a cart filled with packed lunches, hand cream and shower gel.
They have just purchased their supplies from the Cama Solidaria association, “
solidary bed
”, which has set up in the parking lot of the Beatriz Angelo hospital.
An initiative appreciated by Sandra Bernardes, who spends twelve hours a day in the hospital.
“
We are very grateful to the volunteers,
” she says.
They are a great support to us, because no one can leave the hospital to go shopping.
We are understaffed.
But thanks to them, we can nibble a little treat.
Otherwise, it's very, very difficult
”.
►
See also: Portugal: the government admits a "dramatic" number of victims of Covid-19
In two vans, loaned to the association by vehicle rental agencies, five volunteers sort donations from individuals, bakeries or companies, before redistributing them to nursing staff.
Sylvia Santos, who worked in events before the epidemic, oversees operations.
“
They work many hours, 12–14 hours a day, and it's important to them that they know there are people out there supporting them outside of the hospital,
” she explains.
We still need each other, but today more than ever
”.
After a month of confinement, the rate of new contagions has reduced, but Portugal still has nearly 4,500 hospitalized patients, including more than 750 in intensive care.
► Read also: Covid-19: a French team sent to Portugal to relieve caregivers
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