MINSK, 19 October (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on the work of regional COVID-19 response centers as he hosted a meeting to discuss the epidemiological situation and the COVID-19 response in Belarus on 19 October, BelTA has learned.
Such response centers were set up on the instruction of the head of state in November 2020. These centers headed by governors and presidential aides comprised the best infectious disease doctors, representatives of medical science, and other specialists. "I trust these people. They are good specialists," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
At the same time, the president noted that these centers are not fully operational. "I have the impression that you have not yet thrown yourselves into this work. Without full dedication and at half capacity. I would like to warn you that you bear responsibility for the work you have been assigned,” said the head of state.
According to him, it is the specialists of the regional COVID-19 response centers that decide on the necessary measures to combat the coronavirus, and then it is the governors. “Why so? Because the functions and roles are completely different. You are the specialists. You know how to treat,” the president said, addressing the specialists of the regional response centers. “You have to monitor the situation on the ground,” he added.
“You know the things that are lacking, report to the governor. The governor is your assistant, your supplier. Medicines, personal protective equipment, lung ventilators, oxygen and so on – the governor is the one to quickly address these issues,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president also said that the president's aides and their assistants should be fully engaged in the effort to solve the urgent issues as well. “I would like to ask you to get fully engaged in the organization of the treatment of people onsite,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
