CHALLENGES FACED BY CORONA WARRIORS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A REVIEW

Abstract

Background: The Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is indubitably one of the deadliest events recorded in the 21st century. By the beginning of the year, 2020 the COVID-19 virus has taken the world by surprise and posed a huge challenge to one and all. This pandemic has revealed the existing state of our health care system along with the condition of health care workers (HCWs) with respect to preparedness for such crisis time. During this pandemic, healthcare workers are playing a crucial role in the early detection of cases, contact tracing, and treatment of patients.

Methods and Material: Literature search was done regarding challenges faced by healthcare institutions and health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic from multiple databases. The studies published between June 2020 to January 2021 were considered. The articles were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: COVID-19 pandemic as uncovered our preparations to handle pandemic. Health care workers have gone through a difficult time including experiencing stigma, physical and psychological burden. The healthcare institutions had faced shortages of personal protective equipment (PPEs), trained human resource and basic facilities.

Conclusion: This review underlines the current discussion about the challenges faced by HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic and their coping strategies. An effective, coordinated, and sincere effort towards helping HCWs by developing congenial environment, provision of regular training, psychological support is pivotal to motivate them to work during such crisis.

Keywords: COVID-19; Health Care Workers; Stigma; Pandemic; PPEs