Voices of healthcare workers: supporting hospital staff after death of COVID-19 patients

Suwa Red Cross Hospital (Photo:Waka77)

Reo Morimitsu is a graduate of CENDEP's MA in Development and Emergency Practice (2018-19). He works as a clinical psychologist at Japanese Red Cross Suwa hospital and is a humanitarian activist devoted to working in the field of mental health and psychosocial support as roster member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Psychosocial Centre. He writes about developing psychosocial support for healthcare staff dealing with COVID-19:

The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) runs 91 Red Cross hospitals in Japan. As confirmed cases of COVID-19 spread all over Japan, many JRCS hospitals are providing medical support to patients of COVID-19 in each region. Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic response both physically and psychologically since they are more likely to be exposed to the virus and witness those who die of COVID-19. As a mental health and psychosocial support roster member of the IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, I got a request from the IFRC to collect case stories in the light of supporting healthcare workers after a patient’s death from COVID-19. Three interviews (two nurses and one medical doctor) were conducted through telephone from May to June 2020. This document was written with the aim of providing insights on how to support them to reduce the psychosocial impact of patients’ death related to COVID-19.

When leaving no one behind means ‘fixing’ those moving ahead: A call for collective action against disablism

 Grace Khawam writes:

More than 80% unemployed, 45% under the poverty line [1], 258 wounded and at least 42 newly disabled by the Beirut explosion [2]. Lack of inclusive education mainstreamed in schools, lack of implementation of legal protection frameworks, lack of affordable healthcare services [3], and lack of accessible online learning, health information and vaccination venues throughout the pandemic. This is a quick snapshot of the current state-of-affairs of persons with disabilities in Lebanon. The needs and rights of persons with disabilities have been systematically deprioritized in Lebanon, not only historically, but with every new crisis, every new humanitarian response, and every new development action.  

Why are people with disabilities in Lebanon constantly left behind? Contrary to what many may think, it is not because they are more vulnerable or need more special care: it is because they have been consistently marginalized in policies and practices, through socially imposed restrictions, and direct and indirect forms of institutional discrimination - this is what disablism means [4]. While refusing a discourse of victimization, let us unpack the underpinnings of this systemic marginalization. Let us first picture this: a world where pavements, buildings and public spaces are wheelchair-accessible; where sign language is a national language taught in schools; where quality healthcare is available for all; where school lessons are adapted to each learner’s needs; where workplaces provide reasonable accommodations for each employee to excel at their work. If we remove all barriers, all restrictions imposed by the environment, by people’s attitudes, by systems and structures, would persons with disabilities still be left behind?