SRINAGAR: Doctors fighting the deadly coronavirus at Srinagar hospitals are still working without proper protective measures. The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) has written a letter to the principal of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, pointing out immediate requirements of masks, sanitisers, and temporary residential accommodation within hospitals.
“If even one resident ends ups being infected by inadequate protection, it might lead to the whole unit or even hospital staff becoming infected. If this happens, the entire health care system will collapse and general public will have nowhere to go to,” the letter reads.
The association of resident doctors of GMC Srinagar and its associated hospitals has told the authorities that instead of returning home after duty hours, the resident doctors would like to stay in hostels as a precautionary measure, and must be provided with accommodation.
“Across the world, there are many instances where doctors treating COVID-19 patients are invariably getting infected. Instead of carrying the infection back home and into our communities, we should be given some sort of accommodation at hostels preferably nearer to our workplace. This will prevent the spread of the virus,” reads the statement.
The statement has come after two females doctors have been put under observation for possible symptoms.
Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Samia Rashid said that about one lakh three-layered masks have now been received while sanitisers have been ordered, which will taken some days to arrive.
“There was some shortage of masks in SMHS hospital, but the rest have sufficient stock. The masks have come now for SMHS as well. Sanitisers will take some time to come, so meanwhile doctors have been asked to wash hands with soaps,” Dr Rashid said.
About the demand for accommodation, she said, “It is not a work to be done overnight, but we will work out some possibility.”

Junaid Nabi Bazaz