COVID-19: Medical personnel must be protected

Chilean doctor and health care workers in Latin America targets of violent threats

(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation has expressed concern over recent attacks on health care workers in Latin American countries and North America because of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is important to guarantee the safety of health care personnel” for the welfare and health of the general population, stated a communique shared in the region earlier this month. “Growing hostility to health care personnel” must be addressed.

The LWF has called on governments in Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America to take necessary measures to protect medical personnel so that they can carry out their work. It furthermore calls on them to “establish effective means of communication” regarding COVID-19 to “avoid misinformation and confusion among the population.” LWF furthermore called on its member churches in the Americas to confront violence, promote solidarity and embrace good co-existence.

“This goes hand-in-hand with the pastoral letter by the LWF President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa and the LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Marin Junge, which called on our member churches to confront violence during this pandemic” said LWF Regional Secretary to Latin America, the Caribbean and North America, Rev. Dr Patricia Cuyatti.“The pastoral letter stated that we must reject and confront violence against women; inviting churches to continue announcing the good news of the Gospel.”

Original Story in Spanish