The former head of Jordanian Medical Association Ahmed Armouti said Tuesday that medical personnel are walking on eggshells to work without getting infected with COVID-19 amid a lack of training, and a shortage of staff and equipment. His statement came after the JMA reported earlier that 3,565 medical personnel are currently infected with the virus.

The correct preventative measures were not taken to protect medical staff, said Armouti, stressing that medical personnel were not sufficiently trained, despite the Ministry of Health recently sending a number of doctors to train in ICU of the Jordan University Hospital (JUH) and King Hussein Cancer Center.

Armouti stated that 19 doctors lost their lives to COVID-19 in November alone, which came in contrast to a JMA report Monday that stated 17 doctors have died from COVID-19 since March.

Armouti called on the government to impose clear defense orders which puts all medical institutions under the management and disposal of the Ministry of Health, so that facing the pandemic is not an isolated process.

He also demanded that the private medical sector play a more productive role in the fierce battle against the virus, and reduce the cost of treating COVID-19 patients.

However, according to Armouti, it is not only the high number of infections that is alarming, but the shortage of medical personnel and equipment that plagues the country.

Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat said Sunday that the Ministry is actively working to hire medical personnel.