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IMA, Bihar demands mandatory COVID-19 tests and 15-day break for their doctors

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Rajesh Kumar Thakur    20 July 2020

The doctors and other subordinate health professionals in Bihar, who are working as frontline warriors at different COVID-19 treatment centres are highly vulnerable to the coronavirus infection.

According to a release of Bihar chapter, Indian Medical Association (IMA), so far above 200 medical professionals besides the paramedic employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.

Two doctors, Dr. NK Singh, associate professor at ENT department in Patna Medical College and hospital and Dr. Ashwani Kumar, a private physician at Gaya, had succumbed to the virus in the last few days.

The Bihar chapter, IMA has demanded periodical COVID-19 mandatory tests for all doctors and the paramedical employees, who are working as frontline warriors. Besides, a 15-day break for relaxation for the states healthcare professionals after duty in COVID-19 ward. The demand was due to the concern for the alarming situation for the medical fraternity staff.

The director of IGIMS, Dr NR Biswas, has also tested positive. Also, more than 50 doctors, technicians, ANMs, laboratory incharge and other staff of PMCH were tested positive. As per the health department sources, a dozen technicians of RMRIMS, too also tested positive for COVID-19 and half a dozen staff of NMCHs microbiology department also tested positive. At AIIMS, almost 15 medical workers have tested positive and are admitted.

Dr Sunil Kumar, IMA secretary, said that in such a pandemic situation, on Thursday, a delegation of IMA representatives met health minister Mangal Pandey demanding to reserve 50% of total beds for doctors and other healthcare workers in AIIMS. They also demanded the mandatory COVID-19 tests for all doctors, healthcare workers and a 15-day relaxation break. Also, IMA demanded for Rs 10 lakh compensation from the state government and Rs 50 lakh insurance cover by the central government to be given to the family of two doctors who recently died due to coronavirus.

He further said that the IMA has strongly put a demand for filling the vacancies of assistant professors and cancellation of suspension of doctors to meet the challenges that are emerging in the current pandemic.

The IMA expressed serious concerns regarding poor infrastructure and human resources in government-run hospitals of the state in a letter that was sent to Ashwani Kumar Choubey on 7th July. The letter stated that AIIMS in Patna has around 800 beds and almost 90 ICU beds but only 200 beds and 40 ICU beds are reserved for the COVID-19 patients and are not enough to serve the needs. Junior doctors at PMCH and NMCH have demanded safety kits and suitable arrangements for doctors who are fighting against the coronavirus on a war footing.

In the meantime, Bihar Chemist & Druggists Association has demanded COVID-19 tests of CNF, distributors, wholesalers and retailers of medicines by the government.

Source: The New Indian Express

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