Briefing on NCDP actions in the framework of the COVID-19 crisis
The National Confederation of Disabled People (NCDP) of Greece, with a sense of responsibility for protecting persons with disabilities, persons with chronic diseases and their families from COVID-19, took action on three strands:
- Provision of information, on a daily basis, to persons with disabilities through its website, social media, email, phone and sms, about all government general and special measures for persons with disabilities and persons with chronic diseases. Operation of the NCDP telephone line for any issues that arise. Provision of information to its member organizations, journalists and the State on any claims for the protection of persons with disabilities, and distribution of information on COVID-19 received from the European Disability Forum.
- Requests to the State for all necessary measures that will keep persons with disabilities safe and guarantee their rights and quality during this crisis (see below)
- Response to the campaign of the Ministry of Health “We Stay at Home” by closing NCDP offices and putting all employees to work from home, without reducing the engagement on disability issues.
Labor issues
NCDP has requested from the State for all employees with disabilities and chronic diseases with back office work to stay at home with the same pay.
The same request has been made also for employees who have in their family environment persons with chronic diseases or persons under conditions of transplantation, immunosuppression, etc. and is risky to bring in their home the virus.
We have also requested for the publication of instructions for employees on what to do and where to address themselves in case the employer refuses to grant them with leave from work.
The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) must publicize information on who belongs to the vulnerable groups against the virus, as there is a lot of misunderstanding both in the private and the public sector. Vulnerable groups include, among others, all persons with sensory, physical, intellectual and mental disabilities. In addition, according to the international scientific literature, vulnerable groups include also persons with one or more of the following aggravating factors or chronic diseases: cancer, immunosuppression, hemodialysis, diabetes, and in general persons with autoimmune or metabolic diseases, respiratory diseases, chronic cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney or hepatic diseases, neurological and neuromuscular diseases and persons with thalassemia, with immunosuppression (hereditary or acquired), persons who have undergone organ or stem cell transplantation, pregnant women regardless of gestational age, and breast-feeding women or those who have recently given birth. Employees can certify that they belong to the vulnerable groups through their medical record, or with the attestation of their doctor.
Information issues
NCDP has requested for the update that takes place every afternoon at 6 pm by the Ministry of Health to be fully accessible, with subtitles and interpretation in sign language. The same request has made also for the Prime Minister’s statements, for every government announcement on the virus, for the daily live broadcast at 4 pm “COVID-19: CONTINUOUS UPDATE” of the state television and for every instruction for the protection of the virus.
We have also requested that Information is made accessible to hospitals and all Health Units. For example, there is always a need for sign language interpreter for deaf citizens who will need to visit a hospital.
Health issues
We have asked for additional measures in hospitals for the continuation of blood donations, chemotherapies or biological agent treatments, etc.
We have asked for particular attention to be paid to the operation of the Thalassemia Units which may be closed due to infected citizens or medical staff. We have requested an increase in the frequency of transfusions if the necessary blood amounts are not guaranteed.
For preventing the virus from spreading to vulnerable groups, we have requested the prescription of drugs and consumables to take place over the phone or electronically via email without the physical presence of the patient, and the delivery of such material to be made by courier.