Poland is ready to accept Czech COVID-19 patients

Poland is ready to help the Czech Republic in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Polish Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska told Polsat News today.

The Czech neighbor is now waiting for word from authorities on when the first patient will be sent.

Kraska responded to the request issued on Friday by the Czech Foreign Ministry. The Czech Republic has sought foreign help from Germany, Switzerland and Poland with the care of dozens of COVID-19 patients.

A rising number of local hospitals are no longer able to provide patients with regular care in the Czech Republic.

"Yes, even today, we spoke about the help with the crisis staff," Kraska said.

"In these difficult moments, it is necessary to help our neighbors. We, as Poland, have made the statement and we are ready to fulfill it, although the situation in our country is also difficult. However, I think the Czech Republic is in a worse situation than Poland," he added.

Kraska said Warsaw was now waiting for a message from the Czech side, "when the first such patient will come to us."

"We are prepared for this," he added.

"We have earmarked the hospitals that will help. Slovaks and Czechs are stressing that these are the patients who, unfortunately, need care with ventilators, which means that they are in a very serious condition," Kraska said.

Kraska added Poland has already received three patients from Slovakia, who also asked for help with COVID-19 patients who need hospital care.