Not provided protective gear, Patiala's Rajindra Hospital staff protest

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 31

Nurses and paramedical staff of Government Rajindra Hospital on Tuesday afternoon protested against the authorities for failing to provide them safety gear meant for handling Covid-positive or suspected patients. The nurses had also protested outside the office of Medical Superintendent around 11 pm on Monday.

They alleged the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits that had been provided were faulty. These kits were provided only to the staff at isolation wards, they rued. They said staff at the emergency ward were the first ones to encounter Covid patients but the authorities were not bothered about their safety.

They said a 42-year-old Ludhiana resident who had tested positive and later died had been lying in the ward for 12 hours, creating a scary environment to work in.

Randeep Kaur, a nurse who is posted at the isolation ward, said, “I was handling a Covid patient the entire night before she died. PPE kits, provided by the hospital, do not cover the entire body.”

Nurses said doctors and staff nurses who had to examine suspected patients before they were sent to the isolation wards were working without PPE kits.

Sandeep Kaur Barnala, a leader of the staff nurses’ union, said due to the indifference of the authorities, they were working in fear.

Dr Paras Pandove, medical superintendent, Rajindra hospital, said, “We have already asked them to get quarantined at the hospital itself. They are being provided everything as per the Covid guidelines. PPE Kits are provided to staff at the isolation ward only.”

DK Tiwari, Medical Education Secretary, claimed he had a word with the hospital authorities and matter had been resolved.

Health workers demand pay hike

Jalandhar: The Contract Multipurpose Health Workers’ (Female) Union, has sought protective gear from the state government. It has also sought health insurance and monetary help in case an employee contracts or dies from Covid. Raising objections on getting Rs300 to Rs400 a day while newly appointed volunteers were being given Rs1,000 a day, the workers have also sought regular jobs and equal salary. TNS