Eighteen doctors lost lives in Pakistan during second wave of Covid-19
PMA expresses deep concerns over rapid increase in Covid-19 patients in Pakistan
Pak Chronicle Report
Karachi
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Centre is very much concerned over the rapid increase of Covid-19 patients throughout the country during this second wave of pandemic, stated a press release issued by PMA on Wednesday.
Due to this increase of burden of disease doctors are getting infected rapidly and are dying.
127 doctors lost lives in Pakistan due to Covid-19:
Till now 127 doctors have lost their lives. Three doctors died on last Sunday and then during last three days six more doctors have died.
During this second wave which started from November, 18 doctors have lost their lives (Punjab-07, Sindh-05, KPK-04, AJK-02).
Situation is alarming with regard to spread of Covid-19 in Pakistan: The situation is very alarming. Unfortunately doctors are not getting proper protection. They are facing shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs). There is no proper place in the hospitals for doctors’ isolation.
Doctors not getting any risk allowance: They are not getting any risk allowance and even not getting their salaries on time. It is very unfortunate that announcement of Shuhda Package by the government for the families of shaheed doctors has not been implemented yet and the aggrieved families are going through a hard time with lots of economic problems.
During long hours’ duty doctors get exhaust and they do not have room to sit and get relaxed. At the same time they face misbehave and violence of the patients and their attendants.
There is no check over the entry in hospitals, patients with Covid- positive enter into hospitals, which increases the risk of doctors and others for getting infected. There should be one entrance at hospital where people should properly be scanned, examine temperature and their hands should be sanitized.
3,000 doctors in isolation because of pandemic: Up till now more than 3,000 doctors are in isolation and on the other hand number of patients is increasing day by day and the burden on hospitals and healthcare workers is also increasing. There is shortage of all types of beds in hospitals for corona patients and due to this reason hospitals are refusing to take new patients.
PMA demands extra care for doctors: PMA demands from Federal Government, Provincial Governments and Private hospitals’ management to take extra care to save the lives of doctors and for that every hospitals should allocate few beds for doctors. Government should take immediate steps for the protection of doctors and make sure the provision of uninterrupted supply of PPEs for doctors.
PMA asks doctors to take care of themselves: PMA request doctors to take care of themselves, do not examine patients without wearing PPEs. The life of the doctor is very much important for the nation during this difficult time. They should avoid shaking hands, they should also avoid going into any function.
PMA asks public to follow SOPs: PMA also request public to follow SOPs strictly. Wear mask whenever you go out, keep social distancing, wash your hands/sanitize after regular intervals.
PMA appeals government to strictly implement SOPs: PMA requests government to implement SOPs strictly. We believe that Covid-19 has already been spread violently through large or even small gatherings in community and if the government fails to implement SOPs strictly than nobody will be safe from this fatal disease, concluded the press release.
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