Behind the curve: When Covid-19 hit, many elderly left to die

“Human rights of care home residents violated”

by Roni Alasor

Brussels, 16 November 2020 - Middle East Diplomatic - A investigation report from Amnesty International shows that since the start of the new pandemic Covid-19, the Belgium authorities was acting too late to save the life of many people. The facts in the Amnesty report has been also confirmed by the Flemish Agency for Care and Health.

Sick residents were not always admitted to hospital. Figures from Doctors without Borders suggest only 57% of seriously ill patients could be taken to hospital. Unclear triage guidelines are blamed for residents not being admitted to hospital. As a result some residents died an untimely death. According to the report, home residents did not receive all the care that was due and that the human rights of residents were violated. The report underlining the lack of basic protection but also of cases of social isolation and sheer neglect.

Care homes were insufficiently prepared for the pandemic. Staff possessed a guide on how to deal with infectious diseases but no protocol to deal with a sudden outbreak like the Covid pandemic. Due to extra medical pressure on staff residents did not receive a sufficient level of daily care with regard to hygiene, meals and social contacts. Until August test capacity for staff was inexistent and they were obliged to work without proper protective equipment. 

Source : Amnesty International / VRT