Turkey Reports 601 Medics Infected with COVID-19

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca on Wednesday said 601 medical workers, including doctors, nurses and other staff, had been infected by the coronavirus.

"All the responsibility [for combating the virus] on the ground falls to our friends [in the medical profession]. Many medical workers have lost their lives in the world, and 10 per cent of the total number of those infected in Europe are medical workers, although this is lower in Turkey," Koca said on April 1.

He added that the number of infections among medical workers continues to increase every day.

Health experts and medical unions have been urging the government to improve the protection of medical workers who are on the front line in the fight against the pandemic. Doctors on the ground have reportedly complained of shortages of protective materials, including masks, gloves, special clothing and disinfectant, some saying they have to use same temporary mask for hours.

Several deaths of medical workers related to the illness have been reported. Cemil Tascioglu, a professor at Istanbul University Hospital, which is one of the main pandemic hospitals, became the latest medical victim to die from complications related to the coronavirus.

The Turkish Medical Association, TTB, the largest medical union in the country, again called on the government on April 1 to supply more protective materials to its medical staff who are in the high-risk group.

Health Minister Koca said the government was doing its best to provide the right protective gear and materials.

"If any doctor needs anything, they can directly contact the ministry. We distributed a million masks in the last week. We have banned the export of medical equipment, and the whole of production is now for our...

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