WHAT AILS THE SYSTEM AT GOA'S APEX HOSPITAL
>> Interns and junior doctors (residents) allotted duty in wards managing Covid-19 patients have to struggle to get even a mask
>> Several doctors told The Goan that they have been given a few N95 masks and are being asked to wash and re-use them
>> Requests to provide more masks is only met with arrogant responses from higher officials, the junior doctors said
>> ASHLEY DO ROSARIO
A fortnight after the health ministry stepped in to alter strategy and make Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) the fulcrum of the State's Covid-19 response management, chaos as usual continues to mire the premier health institution's day-to-day hospital operations.
Facing the brunt are interns and junior doctors (residents) allotted duty in wards managing Covid-19 patients. The doctors have to struggle to get even a mask for their safety.
Several doctors told The Goan that they have been given a few N95 masks and are being asked to wash and re-use them. "Masks get wet and soaked with sweat. At the ESI hospital fresh masks are given to all staff everyday. Why not the same protocol at GMC?" one junior doctor asked.
Requests by the doctors to provide them more masks is only met with arrogant responses from higher officials, the junior doctors said, adding that discontent in their ranks is growing fast.
Safety equipment for doctors and other paramedics at the GMC&H has been an issue since early into the pandemic. A set of resident doctors manning the casualty department had resorted to a stir in April-May when they refused to treat patients as PPE kits were not being allotted to them.
Their action had triggered a storm and show-cause notices were issued to this set of doctors threatening disciplinary action. The move however proved futile and GMC&H Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar then stepped in, held a 'compromise meeting' and issued instructions to formally withdraw the notices, while agreeing to their justified demand to be provided with PPE kits.
Safety of doctors, nurses and other para-medic and non-medical staff working at the GMC&H has become a cause of worry and instilled a sense of unease among staff.As of Friday last the tally of GMC&H staff who contracted the dreaded virus had breached the 140 mark, an alarmingly high number.
As many as 51 doctors, 21 nurses, 23 interns, 35 Multi Tasking Staff and 10 technical staff, according to official information, had contracted it. Meanwhile staffing patterns and allocation of Covid duties follows bizzare and haphazard rules, the junior doctors claimed, adding that some of them are continuously on Covid duty since late March, without any break.
The issue had also hit headlines when Professor of Medicine Dr Edwin Gomes, who was put in-charge of the State's first, and then the only 'Covid hospital' worked continuously for 90-odd days. He was then being refused rest or leave and the matter landed before the Bombay High Court which eventually asked both sides to settle it.
Currently Gomes, the top warrior on the frontlines, is sans any Covid related work when manpower crunch to treat patients is most visible, which the junior doctors claim is an ego clash of the much respected doctor and the government.
