On Thursday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said private medical practitioners in Goa are facing harassment and discrimination from the people in this COVID-19 pandemic.

IMA Goa unit Chief Dr S Samuel said that two of their members were tested positive for the COVID-19 infection and hence were targeted by people. Samuel further said that a colleague of theirs had to suffer mental trauma after he was accused of "medical negligence" while giving treatment to patients. A doctor whose patient was tested positive for coronavirus infection had to face public anger on social media platform. One more doctor in another case, who had tested negative, was targeted due to fake messages of claiming that he was tested positive.

Addressing a press conference in Margao, Samuel requested the people of Goa to stop discriminating against doctors and all health workers who are working to stop the spread of coronavirus. Members of the medical community are facing discrimination and harassment continuously, even though they are forefront fighters against COVID-19.

At present, private hospitals are having shortage of staff. Family members of many nurses are not allowing them to work due to fear of getting infected. Samuel also said that several hospitals in Goa are working with only 20 per cent of their total staff strength. Doctors treating patients for illnesses other than COVID-19 are also likely to be infected by the coronavirus as they have to deal with many sick people at a time.

They are fearing that discrimination and harassment towards doctors will keep on increasing in the future. Samuel further said that doctors could have closed their clinics, hospitals and had stayed at home, but they are out and serving people.

The IMA has requested to the state government for providing a separate paid facility for doctors in hotels for getting admitted themselves in case they test positive. Samuel said that they are ready to pay but they should be provided with a separate facility if any of the doctors or their family members test positive.

Source: The New Indian Express