Almost, 162 resident doctors in Maharashtra are tested positive for COVID-19, which has send alarming bells ringing in the state health department. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) have shown serious concerns regarding the health of their frontline workers.

Throughout the state, almost 4,500 resident doctors are been working in 18 medical colleges and hospitals. According to the figures obtained from MARD, 152 resident doctors are infected with COVID-19 in Mumbai. Among them 30 doctors are from King Edward Memorial hospital, 65 doctors from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital (known as Sion Hospital), 35 doctors from JJ Hospital and 22 doctors at Nair Hospital.

Besides, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Kalwa, has 8 cases and Government Medical College and Hospital in Aurangabad, and Solapur-based Dr Vaishampayan Memorial Government Medical College has one case each.

MARD office-bearers said that it was originally decided that resident doctors on duties in COVID-19 wards will work 7 days and then stay in quarantine for 7 days. This decision was then followed by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) by issuing a circular that the doctors will work 5 days and stay in quarantine for 2 days. MARD has opposed their decision and has revised the decision to 9 days work and 6 days quarantine.

MARD office- bearers said that fortunately there are no casualties reported so far and few of the infected residents have recovered and also been discharged. State MARD president Rahul Wagh, who is currently working with JJ Hospital, told TOI that resident doctors are on the forefront from 1st day onwards. There wasn’t any back-up plan in the initial days, but nowadays many things are getting streamlined.

Source: ET Healthworld