Unshielded amid pandemic: Medical staff decry shortage of protective gear

JPMC head denies shortage, says gear is given to only those working in isolation, emergency wards

KARACHI: As coronavirus looms large on Sindh, doctors and paramedics continue to fight the battle on frontline, work hard and with dedication to save the lives of those afflicted by COVID-19.

However, it is unfortunate that the wellbeing of these unsung heroes is paid little attention to. It was made further evident when, running short of protective gear against coronavirus, they were left to fend for themselves, with little help from the government.

The situation has worsened to such an extent that they may eventually have to avoid work to protect themselves against COVID-19.

Doctors of major hospitals in Karachi, including including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) and others, have complained that healthcare workers have not been provided necessary equipment, including N-95 masks and gloves.

This is despite the fact that they come in contact with COVID-19 patients more than anyone else and constant exposure without any protection spells doom for them. And it is already happening.

"One of our doctors has been tested positive," disclosed Young Doctors Association's (YDA's) Sindh chapter President Dr Omer Sultan. "This is a new infection. No one has experience to deal with such COVID-19 patients," he pointed out, adding that "Most doctors and nurses risked their lives to save others."

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Sultan said that hospital managements had not yet provided them masks, gloves and other protective gear.

"We are told that they are keeping it in storage for difficult time," he said. "Isn't it a difficult time already?" he questioned.

He demanded that all persons working at the hospital be provided with the safety gear, adding that YDA was also working towards arranging protective gear for doctors and other medical staff.

A female doctor, who asked not to be named, said that at Dr ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, protective gear was only being provided to staff working in isolation wards. She claimed that when she asked for one for herself, her request was laughed off and the next day she saw three to four people fighting over a box of protective gear.

"Eventually, they gave me a low quality mask after making me wait for an hour," she complained.

Another doctor, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while he understood that Pakistan was a developing country and it would be difficult for the government to provide all required safety gear, he expected at least some could be arranged for. "If not, more doctors will get infected in the future," he warned.

"But ensuring medical staff's safety is very important," he stressed. "If these frontline workers remain healthy and protected, only then the government would be able to win the war against the virus." He claimed that they were constantly told that medical staff would soon be provided protective gear but he didn't see it happening in the near future.

Taking initiative

With no hopes from the government, doctors from different hospitals have taken it upon themselves to arrange from the necessary protective equipment. They have been collected money and purchasing masks, gloves and sanitisers.

"All of us have been contributing according to our financial positions," a doctor from JPMC explained, and as a result, at least 200 N-95 masks and 500 sanitisers were distributed among doctors on Monday, following this initiative.

'No shortage'

However, JPMC Executive Director Dr Seemin Jamali denies any shortage of protective gear. "We have provided it to all staff members who need it," she said.

However, she admitted that not all doctors were provided N-95 masks and gloves, but only those who working in isolation wards and high risk areas like emergency wards.

"Though, we might face a shortage in the future," she said. "But at least now we have enough stock and all the staff at JPMC has been provided protective gear."

Transport issue

Adding to the medical staff's predicament is the suspension if intra-city transport, making it difficult for them to commute to work.

As a result, the management of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital has asked the administration of the Dow University of Health Sciences to arrange transport facility for its staff so they could reach at their work easily.

OPDs suspended

Meanwhile, owing to the prevailing situation, the administration of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital has directed the doctors other staff to work in the emergency ward while services at all OPDs of the hospital will remain suspended.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2020.