Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, May 8: With the resurgence in the Covid-19 positive cases in the valley, doctors dealing with the active Covid patients across different hospitals in the valley have sought to remain in hostels after service hours in fear of infecting their families or others.
As the valley is reeling under the new Covid wave, the daily caseload has mounted to around 211,742 cases and more than 2,672 deaths.
Many doctors treating the Covid patients in hospitals have tested Covid positive. The doctors associated with the different hospitals in the valley have sought for the immediate hostel accommodation, in fear of infecting their families and others after they finish their shifts.
Dr. Nisar-Ul-Hassan President Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) said, the doctors who are working on the forefront in dealing with the Covid-19 positive patients are always at high risk of getting infected with the virus, and going to their homes makes their families prone to get infected.
“It is not only doctors dealing directly with Covid-19 patients, there are paramedics, nursing staff and people associated with the hygiene of Covid wards, who are also at high risk of contracting the virus. So, they all should be given separate accommodation, so that their families will not come in direct contact with them,” he said.
The DAK president further advocated and demanded rationalisation in the duties of the doctors, paramedic and all the staff dealing with the Covid patients, so that there is always a pool of doctors available in the back up.
A doctor wishing anonymity said that, “I am doing my duties in a Covid hospital, and after finishing my shift I have to go to my home, for which I am never ready. Despite the PPE kit on, I am still vulnerable to the virus.”
“At least the government should provide a separate facility for the doctors, paramedics and nurses who are involved in treatment of Covid patients. At least our families won’t get infected by us, in case we are getting infected,” he said.
