How Romania Grows Healthcare Workers Mobility to Help Communities

The need for healthcare workers to visit patients has become an increasingly important subject during the pandemic years. In this situation, Romania has increased the mobility of its health workers to support communities during the epidemy, as the World Health Organisation recently reported.

“During the pandemic, the need for healthcare workers to visit patients and care for them at home has become increasingly important. Community health nurses and health mediators are often a person’s first contact with the health and social care system. As members of the communities themselves, they have a unique understanding of the neighbourhoods and people they serve.”

Dr Cassandra Butu, acting WHO Representative in Romania

To meet this demand, the WHO (World Health Organization) Country Office in Romania recently distributed over 1 800 bicycles and helmets to healthcare workers serving some of Romania’s most vulnerable populations, particularly those in rural areas with poor transportation.

Providing vital healthcare services to those most in need

When the COVID-19 epidemic first broke out, the imposed restrictions hampered access to healthcare services and forced many vulnerable people to isolate themselves. Many people’s health would have deteriorated significantly if community healthcare providers had not visited them.

According to World Health Organization, patients who needed support with the provision of essential items such as food, medicines, protective face masks, and frequent health check-ups were at risk. Because of the strain on hospitals and the risk of infection from COVID-19, many patients with chronic conditions, disabilities, and particular conditions required medical care that could not be postponed and could only be provided at home. Pregnant women and new mothers also required frequent health exams, practical training in proper nursing techniques and nutrition, and immunization of their infants and children.

Reducing travel time

Health nurses and mediators serving their patients through home visits must travel hundreds of kilometres a month in Romania. This operation can be tiring and time-consuming, which donates bicycles to make a difference in delivering time care.

One of the health workers who received the equipment said the following: “I serve a community of 7000 residents across nine villages. Having a bicycle allows me to travel faster, visit more patients and be wherever and whenever needed. It is fair to say that this means of transport will help me in my work, not just during this global emergency, but also far beyond.”

The WHO Regional Office for Europe supported the donations of over 1 800 bicycles and helmets, the Romanian Ministry of Health and County Public Health Directorates to invest in professionals providing essential healthcare services in local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adopting these strategies allows the health workers to reach out to patients who couldn’t come to a hospital, especially during the pandemic. In rural areas in Romania, this kind of measure is vital to help needy citizens or older people.