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Health unions in Colombia ask not to be discriminated against 2:20
(CNN Spanish) - The Colombian Health Minister, Dr. Fernando Ruiz, regretted and expressed his regret at the death on Saturday of two of "his colleagues" who died in the exercise of their duties. These are the 33-year-old young doctor Carlos Fabián Nieto and the 59-year-old Dr. William Gutiérrez, who worked, according to the minister, in two of the most reputable medical institutions in the Colombian capital.
Ruiz assured that the two doctors received the best care and had the best protection elements, but pointed out ¨we are facing a phenomenon that in the world takes the lives of many people and among them, unfortunately, and in the front line, the workers of the Health.
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According to the minister, Colombia allocates 7% of the contributions of the occupational risk administration to the purchase of protection elements and on Saturday a decree was signed declaring the covid-19 disease "as an occupational disease" for all health workers, including administrative and healthcare personnel who work in Colombian hospitals, with the aim of better protecting health workers.
Cemetery workers wear protective suits while carrying the coffin of Colombian doctor William Gutiérrez, who died of covid-19 in Bogotá on April 12, 2020. Credit: JUAN BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images
Dr. Fernando Ruiz emphasized that all Colombian hospitals and clinics are obliged to protect each of their employees, while the central government will support them, recognizing that it is a difficult environment where there is a shortage of "vital elements not available" ... reason for which the Colombian government has tried to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles for the importation of the means that health professionals need to work these new conditions.
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The official explained that, until now, Colombia has managed to flatten the curve and contain coronavirus infections. He asked for solidarity with the health sector and unity within the union.
Bogotácoronavirus