The suicides at the Shefqet Ndroqi University Hospital, where patients infected with Covid-19 are being treated, have called into question mental health care within the institution. Following the reaction of psychologists, Entela Kolovani, a doctor at the University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa", in an interview with News24 (via BalkanWeb ), said that many factors affect the deterioration of the psychological condition of patients and revealed other details.
On the change of psychological state:
"There are many factors that can be associated with a psychological change of these patients. In the first place is the disease itself, which is associated with low levels of oxygenation in the blood. This non-oxygenated blood that spreads to all the organs of the body causes these organs to suffer. The brain does the same, and if it does not get enough oxygen, it suffers. In this way, the patient at certain moments may exhibit behavioral changes, which are directly related to the disease. "But the lack of family members, intensive care, what they have heard about the disease, are other factors that can lead to psychological changes in patients."
On the presence of psychiatrists in hospital facilities:
"Of course we have consulted you, when the patient presents an extreme problem, to give him a slight psychological relief."
On communication with family members:
"When patients show up for hospitalization, they have their phones with them, with whom they communicate constantly with family members. At no point have we blocked the phones, but it is the disease itself, which makes communication impossible for patients. However, we have a family phone number for each patient, to provide brief information about their situation. ”
On allowing video calls:
"Of course, patients often make video-calls with their families. Every day we communicate by providing information to each patient. If we have a change and aggravation of the situation, of course, communication with family members takes place at every moment. For patients in stable condition, communication is once in 24 hours. "
