Argentina boosts health work force to 15,000 amid virus

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Argentina's Health Ministry confirmed that the workforce in the health sector has been raised to 15,000 in efforts to combat coronavirus.

The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that 3,000 resident doctors will receive an extension in their jobs, while 5,000 newly graduated health personnel and almost 4,000 volunteer professionals will join the health units.

Pedro Silberman, the Health Ministry's human talent director said the professionals are now under training.

Regarding training and qualification, Silberman said those workers will receive supplies for self-protection, as well as virtual courses through the ministry's platform.

He added that the ministry generated a telemedicine device, where experts from the Argentine Society of Intensive Care would supervise 800 intensive therapies across the country a day.

The telemedicine system has two rescue systems for health professionals and it operates through red buttons available in each care unit​​​​​​​.

One system serves to get a second opinion from an expert on intensive therapy and clear questions, and the other one allows health workers to establish dialogue with mental health teams for assistance.

Argentina has nearly 1,900 coronavirus-related cases and almost 80 fatalities, according to the U.S. based Johns Hopkins University. While a total of 365 people recovered from the epidemic so far.

Since appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 185 countries and regions.

Data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University shows worldwide infections surpassed 1.6 million, with the death toll nearing 96,000, while more than 356,000 people have recovered so far.