'There is no equipment to test coronavirus in Diyarbakır' 2020-03-18 15:22:43 DİYARBAKIR - Chairman of Diyarbakır Medical Chamber, Mehmet Şerif Demir, stated that health workers are not provided with protective clothing and gloves, and that the hospitals are not equipped to test for viruses. While the first death occured as a result of the new type of coronavirus (Kovid -19), health organizations says that the precautions taken in hospitals are not sufficient. Diyarbakır Medical Chamber President Mehmet Şerif Demir stated that the hospitals in Diyarbakır, which is among the provinces where virus tests are performed, are not equipped to test.   'TESTS ARE BEING SENT TO ANKARA'   Referring to the atmosphere of fear and panic arising from the virus throughout the region, Demir stressed that the society should put aside the fear and panic and take measures. Noting that there is no equipment to test viruses in hospitals in Diyarbakır, Demir said that the samples taken from the suspected patients are being sent to Ankara. Demir stated that the hospitals in Diyarbakır should have this equipment.   'ITS NOT LOOKING GOOD'   Pointing out that most of the society is at risk, Demir said: "This virus, which is easily transmitted to people, continues to spread rapidly. The number of cases, which was one a few days ago reached 18, then 47 and now 98 in three days. One person died. One of the main reasons for this is not to listen to the warnings. Health organizations and EU countries warned the government several times. However, these warnings were not taken into consideration. It is not looking good now. Some measures taken are positive for crowded places, though late. However, more measures need to be taken for crowded places. These crowded places are the places where the disease has spread the most."   "HEALTHCARE WORKERS AREN'T ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES"   Referring to the problems experienced by healthcare workers in this process, Demir said: "Healthcare workers are in a dangerous position regarding the transmission of the virus. The situation in Diyarbakır is grave. There are not many materials to protect from the virus, including clothing and gloves. In other words, the physician cannot protect himself from the virus. Physicians who look at over a hundred patients a day are working under an intense work schedule. Working conditions have been bad for years already, and there is a danger caused by the virus. So the problem in healthcare system is that the system is not in a position to prevent the virus. These problems need to be resolved urgently."