Non-COVID-19 Patients Left out in the Cold
subject: Public health, covid-19, Bioethics, scarcity, global ethics, emergency ethics
description: I. Introduction Countries across the globe including the United States (US) and South Africa have recently reported a surge of non-COVID-19 related deaths.[1] As there is limited accurate and reliable data of this new problem emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] the full extent of the problem is unknown. The lack of data makes it difficult to understand the gravity of the situation and to address it. Medical professionals are asking why these non-COVID related cases did not present at hospitals. Aside from each country’s unique demographics influencing the ability to treat pre-existing chronic diseases alongside COVID-19, resource allocation may lie at the heart of the problem.[3] The World Health Organization’s[4] declaration that COVID-19 was a pandemic on March 12, 2020 placed the fight against COVID-19 front and center in most countries across the world. Italy was one of the first countries to be hit hardest, as localized lockdowns expanded to a countrywide lockdown in a desperate attempt to stop the outbreak. In the US, the first case was confirmed on January 21, 2020.[5] Presidential actions lagged in decisiveness[6] leading to disproportionate loss of life[7] and diminishing hopes of containing the outbreak. In South Africa, swift action included a lockdown long before community spread was confirmed, [8] which slowed the initial spread of the virus. This swift response may be attributed to the fresh memories of Malaria and HIV, which remain a threat. A proactive lockdown like this does come at a price. Buying time for Emergency Departments (EDs) and medical professionals to prepare[9] meant slowing the economy to a halt. In different countries across the world, healthcare was accessible to varying degrees prior to the pandemic. In South Africa, the healthcare system is severely strained[10] in comparison to nations like the US. A non-COVID-19 patient’s ability to access healthcare during this time has been limited. For example, routine child vaccinations…
creator: Camille Castelyn
source: Epidemiology and Health
publisher: Korean Society of Epidemiology
date: 2020
coverage: Ethics, Medical philosophy. Medical ethics