Gadin.Net reports that Rashad Mahmudov, MP, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Surgeon, answered Telegraf.com's questions.
We present the interview:
- Rashad Muallim, although quarantine softening has been registered due to the pandemic, in general, quarantine will continue until August 31. How do you assess the current situation with COVID-19 in the country?
- If we compare the results of the past months and August, we can say that we have succeeded in combating the pandemic in Azerbaijan. The change in the ratio between infection and recovery is reflected in what we say. Of course, this situation can be considered as an opportunity for health workers and institutions to breathe easy and prepare physically, mentally and psychologically for the expected next wave. Of course, the psychological and economic problems created by the strict quarantine regime on people also relieve people to some extent by easing the quarantine regime.
But let me tell you a truth, it has nothing to do with the health of Azerbaijan or the region. These are the realities dictated by the epidemiological situation in world history and medical science. What are these? Epidemiology does not lose its relevance, even if the number of infections drops to one person. And when no one expects it, it can spiral out of control and create a much more difficult situation than we have ever encountered. There are such cases in the world.
At present, the countries are taking the necessary measures against it. In other words, we can achieve success in easing the quarantine regime that each of us desires, even on the way to zero, by reacting jointly by our society and all its members, by turning this reaction into a way of life. Without this, make sure that despite the steps taken by the government in the field of health today, the development of so many modular hospitals in a short time, the use of foreign experts, the import of advanced drugs used in the world, the responsible attitude to the epidemiological situation will not. Therefore, I take this opportunity to call on our society and each of its members to be sensitive to this event.
- You mentioned the second wave. This is already being observed in Europe. German health officials say thousands of people are currently infected with the virus every day, which could be a sign of a second wave. In this sense, what can you say about the threat of a second wave of the pandemic in Azerbaijan, its prognosis and possible consequences?
- This is a threat and has not lost its relevance today. If we compare it with Germany and consider that the infection of a thousand people is presented to them as a signal of the second wave, and if we take into account that the population of Azerbaijan is 7-8 times smaller than the population of Germany, we will face 1,600 infections per day. In other words, if we had the same population as Germany, we would have about 1,600 infections a day. This is appropriate, but every citizen should know that it was not insignificant for the state to continue strict quarantine for the safety of citizens in the face of coercion. There are events that make it necessary, there are statistics for this.
Thankfully, in these statistics, we have gone from bad numbers to good numbers. But today's easing should not make people comfortable. That is, people should never think that we can do everything we want in this hour. Our dream is to protect our state and our world from bigger waves. But no country is insured against this. Let me emphasize again that there is only one reason for the increase or decrease of this wave - society.
- Yesterday, some of your colleagues in the Milli Majlis stated the importance of opening furniture stores, some service and processing enterprises. There were even those who stressed the importance of opening Bina and Sadarak shopping centers. Is it possible to open these enterprises and shopping centers?
- The epidemic shows us that the attitude of people to this event is more important than whether a place is opened or not. In this sense, make sure that the non-opening of such enterprises, while causing economic losses, has epidemiological benefits. If people and society as a whole realize their responsibility in the fight against this invisible disease, we will not face a great danger, even if these places are opened.
- You repeatedly say that the fight against COVID-19, its reset depends more on people and society. We have been in this process for more than 5 months. What is the reaction of our society to the pandemic?
- There is a lot of positive change in the reaction of the society compared to two months ago. According to my subjective opinion, two months ago, if 10% of our society showed its attitude along with sensitivity, now I believe that this figure has risen to 70%. But 70 percent is not the solution to such a problem. When at least 90 percent of a person in a society shows a responsible attitude towards this event, that country can emerge from the most difficult epidemiological situation with minimal losses.
- Doctors and medical staff have worked hard to fight the pandemic. Are you satisfied with the attitude of society to the people who lost their lives in the fight against this invisible enemy, to the doctors who are still fighting?
- First of all, a pandemic is a war for the world. There is an invisible enemy ahead. Frontline health workers fighting this enemy face losses around the world. Because these heroic people have a lot of viral load. The more they come in contact with sick people, the more severe their illness becomes. The main cause of death is not getting sick, but the high viral load they are exposed to when they get sick.
No matter what you call them, they are the martyrs of our hearts, souls and our struggle today. I think that, as always, the Azerbaijani state, taking into account the experience of other countries, will take steps to strengthen the social protection of the families of medical workers who lost their lives in the fight against the virus in our country.
- In your speech in the Milli Majlis, you said that about 50 percent of the medical staff in the regions is vacant. Although hundreds of young doctors graduate from the Medical University each year, they have problems recruiting. Isn't it possible to solve the problem by hiring young professionals without creating bureaucratic obstacles?
- I think that two reasons will increase the prestige of doctors in our country. First, there is a new health policy in the country in recent years, Mr. President has decided to introduce compulsory health insurance throughout the country. Although the pandemic has damaged it, this work will continue.
Secondly, along with the negative events caused by the pandemic, it also placed a great responsibility on the Azerbaijani healthcare provider. We as a society have seen the behavior of health workers who take on this responsibility.
At least at this stage, health workers, despite all the difficulties, showed their work. This is a serious history for the Azerbaijani healthcare worker in the form of deceased doctors, as well as secondary and junior medical staff. Just as the glorious heroism of the Azerbaijani soldier in the April battles was accepted by the whole nation, this period is the same date for the Azerbaijani healthcare worker. Unfortunately, the war with the invisible enemy is not over yet. Health workers still have a great responsibility. The state, the government and the society are already beginning to see the problems of the Azerbaijani healthcare more deeply. As we see and solve their problems, we will be able to get better, safer and more sustainable health care from them