COVID-19: Staff Alleges Lack Of PPEs At GMC, DH Baramulla

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Tasaduq Hussain

Baramulla: The medical staff posted at the government medical college (GMC) and district hospital Baramulla have alleged that the authorities have failed to provide them personal protection equipments (PPEs), thereby putting their lives in risk.

The medical staff posted at these health facilities told KNO that as more Covid suspected and positive patients have been admitted there, the authorities should declare these hospitals as designated Covid hospitals for the safety of staff and public as well.

“The suspected Covid patients get mingled with those patients who visit these hospitals for routine check-ups, thereby exposing them to a greater risk of contracting the virus,” they said.

They alleged that the suspected patients and attendants of Covid-19 positive patients were roaming feely in the hospital premises, thereby exposing the health workers and other medical staff of these hospitals to a greater risk of contracting the virus, as they are without PPEs.

“The area should be declared as containment area to prevent the spread of this virus. We cannot stop the flow of patients with different health issues who visit these hospitals on a daily basis. But poses a greater risk to their health and to that of medical staff as well if the area is not declared as containment zone and medical staff in not provided with PPEs,” they said.

They said that if isolation ward has been set up there, the first thing the authorities must do is to declare the area as containment zone and no inward and outward movement of any person should be allowed.

They also alleged that they have not been provided with proper PPEs as they don’t match the specification and medical guidelines.

“We are at the forefront and the least authorities can do for us is to provide us proper safety kits so that we can save our lives and the lives of other people as well,” they said.

When contacted deputy commissioner Baramulla, Dr. GN Itoo told KNO that he was monitoring the situation himself across the district and he has made sure that all the facilities are provided to the medical staff.

“I can say with authority that there is no mixing at all between the suspects and a routine patient, the nursing college hostel has been designated as COVID hospital with a capacity of 50 beds, all the suspects and positive patients are being treated there and nobody is being touched,” he said.

He claimed that the specification for the protection was under the guidelines of the government of Jammu and Kashmir and medical authorities.

“The supply comes through a government approved agency. Being chairman of the surveillance committee, I will get it verified and ensure that if any concern arises that will be addressed,” he said—(KNO)

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