By Jun Ji-hye
A hospital in Daegu, the southeastern city hit hardest by COVID-19, is facing harsh criticism for offering low-quality meals to nurses who have been fighting on the front lines against the virus.
The criticism comes after a nurse surnamed Choi, who belongs to a civic group dedicated to improving the treatment of nurses, posted a photo on Twitter, saying it was sent by a nurse working for the Daegu hospital. The photo shows instant rice and noodles, and a 200-milliliter pack of milk.
“These are meals offered by the hospital to nurses who are working to treat coronavirus patients there. I was so angry when I saw this photo,” Choi said. “I wonder about where large donations and contributions go.”
Choi said nurses at hospitals treating virus patients were working without a break every day while drenched in sweat in protective suits.
“They cannot endure difficult times with such poor meals,” Choi said.
As the photo has provoked controversy in online communities, the hospital in question acknowledged that meals in the photo were offered as dinner to nurses on March 1.
The hospital said it had originally planned to offer pre-packed fried pork cutlet for dinner on that day, but had to give instant rice and noodles to some nurses as there was shortage of food.
“Before the coronavirus outbreak, our medical staff had meals at the canteen. The hospital began offering pre-packed meals after the virus patients began taking up beds, due to the risk of infection,” a hospital official said. “We offer snacks twice a day in addition to regular meals.”
According to Choi, the hospital vowed to improve the quality of meals offered to nurses within the week following the complaint.
“I will complain again if the meals are not improved,” Choi said.
