Dear colleagues,

Since January 2020, the whole world is witnessing the rapid spread of the SARS-COV-2 virus (also known as COVID-19 or novel coronavirus). It is one of the most serious public health crisis of the modern times.

On March 2020, the WHO characterized the spread of SARS-COV-2 coronavirus as a PANDEMIC and none of the countries in our region did escape the disaster.

While COVID-19 has been suggested to have a lower case fatality rate ( 2,5 % ) than SARS ( 9,6 % ), MERS ( 34,4 % ), or H1N1 ( 17,4 % ), the extent of its spread means that the death toll is significant.

Unfortunately, the world scientists still do not know everything about this disease.

As Anesthesiologists and Intensivists, we are directly involved in the care of the Critically Ill COVID-19 patients and I am sure that you are all working day and night to combat its consequences and improve the outcome of the patients. But, you are also the Frontline Healthcare Workers with a high risk of becoming infected as well as spreading the infection.

To help you in the provision of the best of care along with the best protection of all your team members, we  will try to provide you with the most relevant information as well as with International Recommendations on the management of this novel disease.

I wish to remind you of our "PAFSA facebook page" where everyday many artcles and videos are posted by our administrators. Please do not hesitate to ask us to join this group and encourage all your team members                             ( anesthesiologists, residents, nurse anesthetists or technicians ) to join also.

You will find the links to the most useful documents on this subject on this WEBSITE ( go to LINKS on the HOME boxes, then choose PAFSA LINKS ).

We will try to update them regularly and extend them as necessary.

Wishing you all, the accomplishment of the best possible care for your patients along with a maximum level of safety for you.

Pr. Patricia YAZBECK, 

PAFSA President