The PS-Madeira said, in a statement, that they are concerned about the increase in the number of cases where hospital patients become infected by superbugs in the Region. Therefore, they want details from the Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection covering ‘superbug’ infections over the last five years as well as detailed information on how incidences of infection are being managed and reduced.
Deputy Marta Freitas recalls the information that has been made public on this matter, specifically the reports of the Diário de Notícias da Madeira that reveal that, between the 1st of January 1 and the 14th of June this year, 71 patients were identified with a positive screening test for antibiotic-resistant microorganisms (the main cause is the inappropriate use of these drugs) and, more recently, the news that more than 33% (one third) of patients admitted to intensive care have sepsis and 20% suffer from septic shock. Septic shock is the most severe stage of sepsis and occurs when the body’s immune system reacts severely to an infection. This can lead to abnormally low blood pressure and organ failure.
“This is a reality that causes us great apprehension, taking into account the seriousness of these cases for the health of users, and this is even a situation that is generally associated with significant mortality,” argues Marta Freitas, justifying the need to know what has been done by the government to prevent these situations.
The socialists thus request that the Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, provide all documentation and records relating to bacterial infections in health units under the supervision of SESARAM, their monitoring, and respective plan of corrective measures to reduce the incidence of these infections in the last five years.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
