Lack Of PPE, Rampant Discrimination: How India Is Failing Its Healthcare Workers

The number of coronavirus cases has crossed the 4,000-mark in India. The count of active cases has shot up to 4,426 and 114 people have lost their lives due to the fatal virus. It is day 14 of the 21-day lockdown and the number of cases are spiking at an alarming rate day by day. India’s healthcare facilities have been put to test and let’s say that we aren’t doing too well as far as protecting our frontline workers is concerned. Doctors treating coronavirus patients are literally risking their lives to cure others owing to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Not just that, incidents of doctors being mistreated have also surfaced from different parts of the country. 

Also read: These Pictures Of The World Struggling To Cope With Covid-19 Will Give You Goosebumps

Over 40 Nurses Infected In Mumbai Hospital

Yesterday, about 40 nurses tested positive at South Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital. Representatives of the nurses have claimed that the hospital did not take the required precautions while handling infected COVID-19 patients. The nurses, in a letter to government authorities, have also stated that the infection spread among the healthcare workers because the suspected COVID-19 patients were not kept in a separate isolation facility. Wockhardt’s chairman Habil Khorakiwala, however, is maintaining that all the protocols were followed. However, we’re more inclined to believe the healthcare workers in this case, especially because had the due precautions been followed, so many nurses wouldn’t have contacted the virus.

Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Maharashtra: 748

18 Staffers Tested Positive In Delhi Hospital

Doctors and nurses of government-run Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) have also tested COVID-19 positive. The hospital had been shut last week after a doctor had contracted the disease later. The total number of DSCI healthcare staffers infected has now surged up to 18 and about 50 other staff members have been advised to stay in quarantine. Clearly, not enough precautions were taken at the medical institute. Meanwhile, 19 patients are also being tested for coronavirus. Reports are awaited. 

 

Total number of confirmed cases in Delhi: 523

Gujarat Couple Arrested For Harassing Woman Doctor

India Today

A shocking incident of a Surat couple harassing a woman doctor, who works at a civil hospital, has come to light. The couple that resides on the same floor as the doctor, accused the professional of being infected with the virus. They also hurled abuses at the doctor while banging at her door in anger.

Adajan police took the doctor’s application and arrested the couple identified as Chetan and Bhavna Mehta under section 151 of CRPC. They will be produced in front of an executive magistrate and will only be bailed after they give assurance of exercising good behaviour. 

Total number of confirmed cases in Gujarat: 144

AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association writes to Prime Minister

With more healthcare professionals being infected with coronavirus every day, the failure of health infrastructure across India is coming to light. There are issues around the availability of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE), COVID-testing equipment and quarantine facilities. The same has been addressed and put forth to the Prime Minister by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA). 

The doctors have appealed to the PM, seeking his intervention to withdraw the punishment of doctors who took to social media for highlighting the lack of PPEs. “Take criticism as a tool for improving care. Don’t target doctors asking for personal protective equipment (PPE),” said the doctors. 

 

 

Twitter

nother Miss England, Bhasha Mukherjee, Returns To Work As A Doctor Amid The COVID-19 Outbreak

The need of the hour lies in respecting and providing for the healthcare professionals we clapped for on the day of Janata Curfew. Our doctors are the warriors who are risking their lives to take care of us. Let us cooperate and join hands to #FightCoronavirus. We are in this together. 

Featured Image: Twitter

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