Being a nurse became a job of utmost importance during the pandemic. They were right at the forefront of the battle and the first to encounter patients suspecting that they had contracted the virus.
Ajshe Krasniqi is a practicing nurse for over ten years and she says that every day has been a challenge during the pandemic, particularly due to the fear that she might infect her own family however, this did not stop her from being loyal to her profession and being at the service at the patients, despite shortages in personal protective equipment.
“The first thing I would think of when going home was should I hug my son or not because maybe I got infected today, but as time passed, we sort of got used to it. I contracted the virus back in October, I only had mild symptoms. However, I also have old people at home and the thought of transmitting the virus to them was one of the main concerns and also very stressful”, Krasniqi said.
Currently working at the largest vaccination site in Skopje, she tells us that her colleagues in other COVID-19 centers have received bonus payments, 20% added to their net salary for two months only, and another €500 bonus by the end of 2020.
North Macedonian Nurses and Midwives Association has ringed the alarm on the difficult conditions that medical personnel is working with, as well as low salaries.
COVID-19 has claimed the lives of three nurses in North Macedonia. They had contracted the virus at the workplace and succumbed to the virus, while according to official figures, nearly 70% of nurses have tested positive.
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