BAME people disproportionately affected by COVID-19
Figures released by The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) on 10th April 2020 show that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 virus. The report contains data on patients critically ill with confirmed COVID-19 reported to the ICNARC up to 4pm on 09 April 2020 from the critical care units participating in the Case Mix Programme. Of the 3883 patients identified in the report: 35% were BAME (compared to the 14% BAME population of the UK); 70% were male and 25% of those aged 16-39 died. Overall there is 51% critical care mortality.
It is not known what the underlying causes are for BAME individuals suffering in greater proportions than their numbers in the population, but experts suggest it may be due to cramped, multi-generational households leading to the lack of observance of social distancing; a higher representation in key worker categories like the health, transport and social care or it could be due to underlying physical characteristics like a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
Kamlesh Khunti, professor in primary care diabetes and vascular medicine at the University of Leicester, who studies health trends in black and minority ethnic populations said, “South Asians live in more deprived areas and have more cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” He added South Asian people often lived in larger, multi-generational households and so “social isolation may not be as prevalent”.
PPE shortage could be leading to death of BAME doctors
In a video interview, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, revealed that 19 UK health workers have died after contracting coronavirus, including 10 immigrant NHS doctors; Nurse Areema Nasreen of the Walsall Manor Hospital, in the West Midlands; John Alagos, a 27-year-old nurse who treated coronavirus patients at Watford General Hospital; and Healthcare assistant Thomas Harvey who worked at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, among others. Among those succumbing to the illness, Consultant urologist Abdul Mabud Chowdhury died at Queen's Hospital in Romford, east London, on Wednesday, 5 days after appealing for "appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) and remedies to protect ourselves and our families".
BAME NHS Doctors who have died of COVID-19
Dr Fayaz Ayache, Syria
Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, Bangladesh
Dr Alfa Saadu, Nigeria
Dr Habib Zaidi, Pakistan
Mr Amged El-Hawrani, Sudan
Mr Adil El Tayar, Sudan
Mr Jitendra Rathod, India
Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, Sri Lanka
Professor Mohamed Sami Shousha
Dr Syed Haider
“Those doctors have ancestry in regions including Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Even allowing for the over representation of BAME staff in the NHS – they comprise 44% of medical staff compared with 14% of the population of England and Wales – the fact that they were all from ethnic minorities was extremely disturbing and worrying”, said Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Chair of the the BMA Council.
“At face value, it seems hard to see how this can be random – to have the first 10 doctors of all being of BAME background,” Dr Nagpaul said. “Not only that, we also know that in terms of the BAME population, they make up about a third of those in intensive care. There’s a disproportionate percentage of BAME people getting ill.”
“Previous inequalities will be greater at a time of crisis. This [coronavirus] may be bringing into focus historic inequalities facing BAME communities”, he added.
Dr Nagpaul has also written to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, calling for international healthcare workers serving the NHS in #COVID19:
- to be exempt from health surcharge,
- to switch sponsors automatically without applying for another visa.
- to obtain indefinite leave to remain automatically
“International doctors play a hugely important role in the delivery of our NHS. At this time of national crisis, I am writing to ask you to take urgent measures to support international medical professionals working in the NHS for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Government must investigate why BAME communities are more vulnerable to Coronavirus
Marsha de Cordova MP, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary, commenting on the number of BAME doctors who have died from Coronavirus, said:
“The disproportionate number of BAME doctors who have died from Coronavirus is deeply disturbing.
“It reflects the shocking underlying inequalities facing BAME communities as a whole – who are disproportionately represented in the numbers of people getting the virus.
“The Government must urgently investigate why BAME communities are more vulnerable to this virus.”
