Health Minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said health workers need an ideal working environment and the necessary equipment to perform to the best of their abilities, especially during this pandemic. He said, to help perform well the ministry ensures that they are a sufficient number, get enough rest to avoid being burned out and therefore become less effective and making mistakes. He said these workers also need good physical and mental training. “They work in a depressing environment. They need our understanding,” he said. He also said they need all that is required to protect themselves. “If one is infected, there is a high chance of infecting others,” he said. World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses said over 2,5 million people have been infected with the virus globally and over 150 000 have died. He said health workers are the gate keepers, losing them means losing the battle, therefore, it is important to protect them. He, therefore, called on the public to stay home. He added that the entire WHO workforce has been mobilised all over the world to deal with COVID-19. Sagoe-Moses and Shangula said this during a panel discussion at the COVID-19 Communication Centre today.