Lala Tomic is a community nurse in the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) Mostar. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of living and working for us all, including Lala. Besides conscientiousness and self-sacrifice, Lala believes that good mental
and physical health of health professionals is quintessential, as they are on the front lines combating the virus.
The current situation has increased the workload for health professionals. In addition to regular community nursing services, the
community nurses from Mostar PHCC have been supporting patients in other ways too – by purchasing and providing medications, groceries and hygiene products.
Lala believes that the health authorities did all they could and provided health workers with needed protective equipment. Still, she adds that more gloves, disinfectants and masks with filters are needed as this is disposable protective material necessary in their daily work with patients.
She stresses that the nursing profession is special and characterized by understanding, empathy and close communication with patients, that is especially significant now. „It is important to educate patients to follow instructions, because we all have to fight against the virus together. It is a great challenge for us all“, Lala adds.
Her message to the citizens is to keep observing the recommended preventive measures such as washing hands, wearing masks and gloves, keeping physical distance and avoiding gatherings. She adds that “it is also important to boost the immune
system, take care about the nutrition, take more vitamins and minerals and preserve the mental and physical health”. It is especially important that people do not pay attention to disinformation.
She points out that “no patient is the same, as expected, and therefore they respond differently. One thing though is mutual – everybody is scared. They are all aware that the virus could very quickly and easily jeopardize their already impaired health”. Every encounter with a patient ends with the question “When will all this end?” and the answer “We hope soon!” Lala stresses that kind words and smiles mean a lot to everyone.
