Until Thursday, experts from politics, science and health organizations will meet in Salzburg for the 25th time at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG). The topic of the conference is the permanent crisis of pandemic, climate and war as well as their health consequences. The podium guests include EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, Health Minister Johannes Rauch and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (both Greens).
“All European countries have one concern in common: the health workforce,” said Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Country Health Policy at the WHO European Office, on Monday evening at the start of the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) in Bad Hofgastein. Many employees would leave the industry to protect their mental health. Support is needed for health facilities to provide help to staff, she demanded. The medical professions have come into focus, especially in the coronavirus pandemic. “We have provided our health workers with masks and other protective gear, but have we done enough to protect the mental health of workers?” Azzopardi-Muscat asked. She criticized the work system in medical professions, which, for example, often does not allow sufficient breaks. The fact that many employees are not only considering leaving the industry, but have already done so, has a further influence on the psyche of the remaining employees and the tense personnel situation restricts work breaks and holidays in addition, reported the former intensive care nurse and now public health consultant Cidália Eusébio. In addition, the work is not paid as it should be, she emphasized. The WHO expert Azzopardi-Muscat called for prevention to maintain mental health in medical professions. Secondly, the psyche of the employees must be protected and thirdly, support and care are needed when mental problems occur. “Every health worker needs to know where and who to go to to talk about their mental health,” Azzopardi-Muscat said. In addition to these three main points, surveys among medical staff and systematic protective measures are needed.
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