Plea in SC raises concern over safety of healthcare workers amid pandemic

NEW DELHI: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court raising concern over the safety of healthcare workers, including nurses and paramedical staffs, and has sought directions to authorities to provide proper protection kits to those working in COVID-19 wards or in close proximity of patients suspected to be infected with the deadly virus.

The application, filed by United Nurses Association, has sought permission to intervene in the matter relating to the treatment of COVID-19 patients and dignified handling of dead bodies in the hospitals in which the apex court has taken cognisance on its own.

The association has said in its application that healthcare workers are "at the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak response" and are exposed to hazards, including long working hours and psychological distress, that put them at risk of infection.

"The health and safety (physical/mental) of healthcare workers are of utmost importance because any further shortage of health care workers would result in thousands of unattended COVID19 patients, which will have serious repercussions including escalation of the present situation and resultant impact on the economy, medical facilities, potential deaths and loss of human resource," the application said.

It alleged that during these "tiring and difficult times", some of the most pressing issues faced by healthcare workers across the country are -- non-availability of sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) in numerous hospitals, non-availability of a sufficient number of COVID-19 testing kits, sub-standard PPES, lack of basic facilities in isolation wards, non-payment of salaries and breach of government guidelines by some private hospitals.