BMDA Calls for Better Communication for Medical Workers to Respond COVID-19

In our interview with Doctor Atanacio Cobb, he shared that the problem appears to be a lack of communication from top managers to clinicians and other workers on the ground. He says that many junior frontline workers fear to speak out because of victimization. Doctor Cobb called on the medical authorities to address these issues immediately to strengthen Belize’s response to the virus.

On the Phone: Dr. Atanacio Cobb, Executive Member, BMDA

“I think that is one of the main things where the managers and the upper echelon managers the information is not going effectively to the physicians and nurses who are on the battle ground. Partially, because this thing is upon us and even though we have had about three months to prepare, it is still not enough time. Also, because when the juniors especially ask for certain things they are looked upon as criticizing or more like giving some sort of trouble, which I don’t think that is the objective of the physicians.    I would like to point out the reason I am representing the clinicians at this moment, it is because there is fear among the junior doctors they are fearful if they speak out they might be victimized or reprisals taken against them. Emotions are high all over and so I have volunteered to say what they are telling us and the feedback they are telling us through the medical and dental association. I think there needs to be where the Directors of Health Services and other stakeholders open a communication line where the junior doctors especially in the public sector because the public sector will be receiving most of the ones infected with COVID.  We want to send the message to the people who are in managerial position that they need to look after the doctors; nurses; auxiliary people who will be faced day to day with a COVID positive patient. We need to ensure that the communication line is open with them and we need to understand that this is not a battle of egos or who has more power authority, but we need to understand that it is team work and so important that if we are going to defeat COVID, we need the input of the people who are involved.”