Staggering photos of the fight against Covid-19 at the Semmelweis Intensive Care Unit

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, there have been very few cases where members of the press (especially the independent press) have been admitted to hospitals caring for Covid-19 patients with severe conditions. Now is one of those rare times when we can get a glimpse inside a hospital treating coronavirus patients in Hungary.

Magyar Hang highlights that the policy in Hungary is somewhat different. In most European countries, the press reports (in the form of photos as well) on the reality of the struggle of health workers so that people can get a real picture of the condition of those who are seriously ill.

The website’s staff had an easier job in Odorheiu Secuiesc (Székelyudvarhely) for instance. The difference in press freedom between the two countries is well characterized by the fact that the consultation with the Transylvanian hospital went smoothly, while in the case of the Hungarian institutions they couldn’t dream of premission.

But now we can get a glimpse into the intensive care unit of Semmelweis University.

The following images were taken and shared by Attila Kovács, the photographer of Semmelweis University’s Communication Directorate.

The photos depict the yellow and red zones of the Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (AITK) at Semmelweis University. The colors indicate the severity of the condition of the patients being cared for. As they write, “university staff have never had to care for so many patients in need of intensive care, but they are committed to fighting for the recovery of patients”.