LABOR PROTECTION OF MEDICAL WORKERS OF UKRAINE DURING THE PERIOD OF MARTIAL LAW: PROBLEMS OF SAFETY AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the main problems of protection and labor safety of medical personnel in Ukraine during the period of martial law. The reasons for the low preparedness of the Ukrainian health care system for a full-scale war have been identified. Superhuman physical overloads of the medical staff were established due to the large number of injuries and injuries of some medical specialists. The features of labor protection in medical practice institutions during the war are considered. Doctors and nurses must simultaneously perform functions of the absent medical spesialasts due to iunderstaffing, which leads to violation of labour safety standards. Extreme working conditions, extremely difficult circumstances and critical physical overload of medical personnel are described. A significant increase in job-related deseasing and mortality among medical personnel was revealed. Particularly dangerous features of activity in the medical field and working conditions during the war are determined. Statistical data on injuries and deaths of medical personnel are indicated. Estimated losses of medical equipment and medical supplies due to destruction or damage of health care facilities have been calculated. A general increase in critical threats to medical workers is noted. This especially applies to aspects of compliance with security requirements, which are caused not only by military aggression, but also by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The limited capabilities of the national health service to respond to current dangers and worsening working conditions of medical workers were noted. That is why issues of labor protection and safety remain in a critical state. The need for an in-depth study of an important factor in the activity of medical organizations in the direction of creating minimum conditions of labor protection in emergency situations has been established. The main attention should be paid to the problem of operational planning and the possibility of organizing the work of personnel, increasing the level of safety in extremely difficult conditions. It is proposed to provide additional stimulation of the provision and control of compliance with basic labor protection standards. The existing problems of control over labor protection and safety in medical institutions in the conditions of war are considered. Conclusions were made regarding the need to develop methodological manuals and materials for medical workers in emergency situations. Such recommendations will contribute to increasing the level of personal safety of staff and patients of health care institutions, preserving their lives and health.