Doctors donate money to purchase masks for themselves in Lucknow

The ill-equipped doctors and paramedics, who are on the forefront of the war against the Coronavirus pandemic, have decided to donate a day’s salary so that they can collect money and use the same in purchase of three-layered masks for themselves.

The staff of King George’s Medical University (KGMU), comprising senior physicians, resident doctors, paramedics and class IV employees, have decided to donate a day’s salary so that doctors can purchase protective equipment.

The Chief Medical Superintendent of Gandhi Memorial Medical College of KGMU, Lucknow, wrote a letter on March 27 to the Registrar, KGMU, asking him to purchase three-layered masks for the doctors with the money donated by the staff members of the KGMU.

The letter says: “As you know that Coronavirus has taken the shape of a pandemic. The staff urgently require three-layered masks for their protection during treatment. The staff have proposed to donate one day’s salary and the money collected could be used for the purchase of mask.”

The letter further authorises the Registrar to purchase the masks and ensure their distribution among the staff.

The letter has drawn flaks from various sections of the society as it has raised questions about protection of doctors who are treating Corona-infected patients. Last week, a resident doctor of KGMU got affected by Coronavirus and he further transmitted it to three of his family members.

“This is pathetic to know that now staff of medical college, which are authorised to carry Corona tests and treat infected persons, are forced to collect money so that they can purchase safety equipment,” said Congress spokesman Amarnath Agarwal.

The medical staff in Uttar Pradesh have been raising concerns about lack of safety equipment like three-layer masks, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and other equipment required for the safety of doctors and paramedics.

The drivers and the helpers of state-run ambulances have too demanded protections like gloves and masks. Ram Naresh, a driver of 102 service of ambulance, said that they transfer Corona infected patients from their houses to the hospital. We are not given any protective equipment. “We have given a notice to the administration that if they do not give protective equipment by Monday, we will go on strike,” he said.

The same demand has been raised by Uttar Pradesh Staff Nurses Association. C.K Maurya said that government should provide all the basic protection equipment. “This is a time of crisis. Our staff are working between 12-14 hours a day. We will work harder but at least give us protection from this dreaded disease,” he said.