Doctors and paramedics working at SKIMS Medical College, Hospital Bemina here Tuesday staged protest over alleged sub-standard Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) being provided to them.
The hospital has been designated as COVID19 facility andwill become operational on Wednesday. A group of doctors and paramedics stagedthe protest accusing the authorities of lackadaisical approach in safeguardingtheir health while demanding they should provided “good quality” PPEs.
The doctors, including the resident staff of the hospitalwho would be at the frontline and working handling COVID19 patients, said thegears provided to them were “not up to the standards.”
“We fear these kind of gears are sub-standard to protect usfrom any kind of infection,” said a doctor who was part of the protest.
She said the administration must ensure safety of the doctorsfirst and then open up the hospital for COVID19 patients.
Another protesting doctor said if they were not protectedagainst the infections, it can spread to many others and trigger a deadly chainof infection.
“The hospital will serve no purpose but spread infection ifwe don’t have an efficient protective gear,” he said.
The doctors demanded hostel facility for the staff on dutysaying they did not want to take the infection to their families.
“We can’t afford to go home to be among our families when weare working with COVID19 patients. We must be provided accommodation here atthe premises,” said another doctor.
He said the administration provided them with kits havingdisposable cap, mask, goggle, gloves and gown which were not in accordance withthe gear that is required for treating COVID19 patients.
“Our kit should have a face shield mask, an N95 mask, and afull leak-proof gown,” said the doctor.
Principal SKIMS College, Dr Riyaz Untoo said the protestswere “uncalled for and the PPE provided to the doctors were in accordance withthe guidelines.”
“It is the same PPE that is being provided at SKIMS Soura,CD Hospital and other hospitals,” he said.
Dr Untoo said the administration was identifying the “realreason” for the protests. “We assure the staff that their welfare has beentaken care of,” he said.