Lack of PPE, poor infection control put medical staff at risk of Covid-19
nNEW DELHI: Health care workers risk contracting Covid-19 due to a lack of infection control in hospitals, doctors say amid complaints about substandard personal protective equipment ( PPE) and lack of basic items like N 95 masks and even sanitisers.
Dr Indranil Khan, an oncologist in Kolkata, who was detained for complaining about sub-standard PPES on March 29, said doctors are at risk of getting infected along with other patients.“i have friends, juniors, seniors who are working in various hospitals in Kolkata and outside like in Siliguri who will not lie. The material supplied to hospitals has been substandard and inadequate. ...fighting a disease like Covid-19 is not a joke,” said Khan. “... government hospitals are not equipped at all which, in turn, will lead to the spread of infection not just among health workers but also among other patients.”
Khan on March 29 cited a news report about substandard PPES and tweeted to request West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to take action. “All I need is real PPE to protect frontline doctors nurses fighting COVID 19. Raincoats are not adequate...,” he tweeted. He received a government response, assuring him. “But that evening I was picked up by cops for bringing disrepute to the government. I got interim relief when I moved the high court,” Khan said.
Dr Raveendra Reddy, an Intensive Care Unit consultant in Bengaluru, said anybody interacting with patients with Covid-19 like symptoms or even with asymptomatic ones “will need goggles, N 95 masks, ideally a face shield, PPE gowns...we need basic fluidresistant gear. It should be a composite kit. That is not happening”.
Some doctors and nurses at Delhi’s Hindu Rao Hospital have submitted resignations allegedly due to lack of safety and protective gear, the hospital administration said on April 1. The resignations are not being accepted in view of the pandemic. “They are resigning because of family issues. The PPES we are getting are not of appropriate quality. The matter is being taken up with
The World Health Organisation recommends putting on PPE when handling either a suspected, probable or confirmed case of Covid-19. A look at the guidelines
MASK OR RESPIRATOR Secure ties or elastic bands at middle of head and neck, fit flexible band to nose bridge, fit snug to face and below chin, fit-check respirator
GOGGLES OR FACE SHIELD Place over face and eyes and adjust to fit
GLOVES