- In 2021, an investigation by The Lancet cataloged Mexico as the country with the most health professionals killed by Covid-19.
- The Senate of the Republic awarded the medal “Dra. Matilde Petra Montoya Lafragua” to the workers of different hospitals in Mexico City.
- On March 30 of each year, the “National Day of Heroes and Heroines of Health” will be commemorated.
After more than two years of health emergency, it seems that the situation in Mexico is about to be controlled. The number of daily infections reached one of its lowest points and the appearance of the new lineages of the Omicron Variant has not had a negative impact. Despite the above, a complaint that remains present is that the government forgot to protect doctors during the months of highest transmission of the virus.
At least that is what Senator Emilio Álvarez Icaza Longoria said during the delivery ceremony of the Medal “Dr. Matilde Petra Montoya Lafragua. The recognition went to the workers of different hospitals in Mexico City for their tireless work to attend to the pandemic.
In addition, the legislator of the Plural Group gave awards to 100 workers of the Tlahuac General Hospital. Álvarez Icaza thanked each and everyone who was on the front line of care during the most serious stage of the health emergency.
He pointed out that the government did not know how to be up to the task to respond and protect the health personnel who attended the pandemic generated by SARS-CoV-2. So Mexico is the country with the most deaths of people in this sector, due to Covid-19.
“Masks, suits and gloves were scarce and many people had to make use of family solidarity, or friends, or collections to protect themselves. The government was not up to the task, truth be told, and I believe that this is part of the reason why many colleagues are not here today. That is part of the debt, not just the working conditions.”
Emilio Álvarez Icaza clarified that this ceremony is the first of its kind to be carried out in person at the facilities of the Senate of the Republic. After the pandemic was declared, for which he expressed his pleasure in leading it, since it is fair to recognize what the medical personnel of Mexico did.
Call for better working conditions for medical staff
Meanwhile, Roberto García, representative of the Tláhuac Hospital, asked Senator Álvarez Icaza to be the communication bridge with the authorities of Mexico City, so that health personnel are granted better working conditions, benefits and remuneration. Every time they carry out their work with dedication as they demonstrated in the most serious stage of the pandemic.
For his part, Erik Ortiz Acevedo, representative of the Single Union of Workers of the Government of Mexico City, thanked the recognition given to health professionals, who gave their best effort to serve those who needed it in the days of greatest desperation. and consolation that we live during the health emergency”.
“Health workers, your work during this pandemic will be written in the history of our country and each one of you will live in the memory of Mexicans, as those heroes of unwavering will who risked everything to ensure the health of others” .
Another recognition for the medical staff
On the other hand, it should be remembered that a few weeks ago the Health Commission of the Chamber of Deputies chaired by Emmanuel Reyes Carmona approved an opinion by 24 votes. In this way, March 30 of each year was declared as “The National Day of the Heroes and Heroines of Health”. The clear objective is to recognize their work in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The official explained that this ruling recognizes medical personnel and all health professionals during the pandemic, because they are exposed to infection, just like their families, and even put their lives at risk.
Origin of the ephemeris
For its part, this specific date was chosen for a very special reason. It was on March 30, 2020 when the first death of a Mexican doctor from Covid-19 was reported. It was Dr. Fabián Toledo Aguilar, 33 years old, who worked in Morelos. To recognize him and all his other colleagues who have given their lives during this pandemic, this new event was created.
While the deputy Marcelino Castañeda Navarrete said that it is wise to dedicate a day to the health heroes because of what was experienced in this pandemic and because they are the ones who were at the forefront.
While Éctor Jaime Ramírez Barba pointed out that it is a timely opinion addressed to the more than four thousand health professionals who have lost their lives during the health emergency.