If the curve isn't flattened, Malta's health care services risk being overwhelmed and there might not be enough specialists to help Covid-19 patients, The President of the Medical Association of Malta (MAM) Martin Balzan told The Malta Independent.
"As the number of positive cases continues to rise and the daily number of cases remains above 100, we are at risk of putting too much pressure on the country's health services. There might come a time when intensive care will be full up and we will have to refuse people."
On Tuesday, the health authorities said that 106 new cases of Covid-19 were registered, meaning that currently there are 1,937 active cases. On Monday, the Health authorities had said that 218 cases were found. This meant that over 300 new cases were announced over two days.
On Monday during Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne said that over the past few weeks more than 30 new nurses were engaged to take care of Covid-19 patients and that in the coming months 200 more, mostly foreign, nurses will be employed.
He explained that operations have been reduced in Mater Dei Hospital so that doctors and nurses can form part of the Covid-19 ITU team.
This newsroom contacted Balzan about the situation surrounding doctors dealing with Covid-19 patients.
"Currently we have a number of anaesthetists who have been recruited to ITU to take care of Covid-19 patients. If the number of patients and beds increases, then we will have a problem in terms of how many anaesthetists will be available," said Balzan.
Anaesthesiologists are medical specialists who focus on the care of patients before, during and after surgery. They specialise in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. "Such specialists are the people who specialise and monitor the machines used during operations, and also specialise in the equipment used in intensive care," Balzan said. "The anaesthetists monitor the treatment of Covid-19 patients."
Balzan explained that patients on a ventilator need special care, monitoring and treatment. "The machines involved, such as ventilators and all the other equipment, are all monitored and taken care of by anaesthetists."
Balzan expressed his concerned that, if numbers continue to increase, there will not be enough specialised nurses and anaesthetists. "Even though the government has invested in more ventilators, it all boils down to the number of medical specialists and nurses there are."
Balzan stressed that the public must be responsible and follow the measures necessary to reduce the number of cases. "If the numbers continue to rise, we will be crossing a red line and our health services will not cope."
No information when flu vaccine will be back in stock
Balzan said that currently patients have been told that the flu vaccine is still out of stock. "We rely on what the Minister has said; that another supply of the flu vaccine will be coming soon."
The influenza vaccine was made available in Malta on 11 October, and people with chronic illness, people over the age of 55 and children under 5 were given priority to receive the vaccine. The 100,000 units of the influenza vaccine that had been brought to Malta was used up by 22 October.