Anyone with a nursing qualification could be conscripted into the fight against the coronavirus in a Swiss region preparing for staff shortages.
The scattergun search for staff comes with the fast-spreading Omicron variant causing 95 per cent of infections in Grisons and expected to stretch hospitals.
Switzerland is enduring record infection numbers, like much of Europe, and moved on Wednesday to shorten the isolation period from 10 days to five for people who test positive.
In Grisons, authorities went further by ordering anyone with certain medical qualifications to make themselves known if they are not already practising. The list includes basic apprenticeships, master’s degrees and doctorates in nursing.
Once a list of qualified nurses is compiled, people in this category may be ordered into action to ease shortages, said a statement from the canton.
The canton cited a section of Swiss law which allows authorities to call people up to fight infectious diseases. It did not say if there would be a penalty for keeping quiet.
“In the current exceptional circumstances, it is unavoidable that health and care facilities will have to deal with personnel shortages,” it said.
“We have to assume that the strong increase in coronavirus cases will push medical care and nursing capacity to their limits.”
The canton said testing capacity was similarly strained, with about one in 20 of its residents in isolation as of Monday.
The potential call-up does not apply to people over 65 or with health conditions such as diabetes that would put them at higher risk from the virus.
It echoes a request by British authorities, dealing with staff shortages compounded by Brexit, for Germans with a certain type of driving licence to consider becoming hauliers.
Elsewhere, an Austrian energy company said last month that some of its staff would be moved to on-site dormitories to stop Omicron-related absences from causing power cuts.
The Swiss federal council said it would “act swiftly” with further measures if needed, such as closing shops or capping attendance at public events.
Although the Omicron variant has milder effects, a high number of cases is still expected to cause a surge in hospital admissions.
“The epidemiological situation is critical and remains difficult to assess,” the Swiss government said.
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury
Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')
Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)
Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)
