Docs on Covid duty find insects in food
LUCKNOW: Doctors and healthcare workers on Covid-19 duty at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) complained that they found insects in the food packets supplied to them from the canteen on the campus. They also lamented poor lodging arrangements.
The pictures of insects in the food were also shared on social media by the doctors.
The body of resident doctors wrote to KGMU vice-chancellor, demanding better facilities for doctors on Covid-19 duty.
Taking note of the complaint, the KGMU slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on the canteen owner. “A committee has been formed to make surprise inspection in the canteen,” said Dr Sudhir Singh, spokesperson KGMU.
A cleaning staff staying in the raen basera quarantine centre and deployed in the emergency medicine wing of the KGMU saw an insect in his food packet.
“I was surprised to see an insect in the food served to me. I wish to bring this to your notice,” Jangi Lal wrote to the in-charge of the quarantine centre.
Pradip Gangwar, president of the KGMU Employees’ Association, also wrote to the registrar on the issue. “The faculty in-charge of the kitchen is overburdened hence a separate team be made for maintaining food quality in the canteen,” he stated.
“Insects in food packets show carelessness and also pose a threat to the health of the staff. Our association will meet the V-C and demand good food for the staff as they are not going home while on Covid-19 duty,” said Yadunandini Singh, president of the KGMU Nurses Association.
“On many occasions, resident doctors found worms in food, hence we lodged a complaint with the authorities. Sometimes even the fan doesn’t work in the place given to resident doctors to rest after working hours,” said Dr Neeraj Mishra, president of the Uttar Pradesh chapter of the Resident Doctors’ Welfare Association (RDWA).
Meanwhile, a few doctors in Bastis district’s Covid hospital also shared pictures of poor quality food being served to them.
“As patients stay in hospital and depend on food for proper nutrition so are doctors staying in hospitals for 14-day Covid-19 duty.
Poor quality food means poor health,” said Dr Amit Singh, general secretary, Provincial Medical Services Association (PMSA), the body of government doctors.