Srinagar: Around 80 doctors at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina staged a protest on Wednesday after the authorities allegedly failed to provide them standard personal protective equipment.
As per sources, the root cause of the strike dates back to Monday, when a pregnant female from Gund Jahangir, Bandipora, which has been declared as a red zone by the administration, was brought to the hospital for Lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS).
Following which the authorities had allegedly failed to provide the doctors at gynaecology department, SKIMS Bemina with the standard personal protection equipment.
On Wednesday, around 80 doctors including junior and senior residents, PG residents and consultants assembled together and held protest outside the office of Principal SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Dr Riyaz Untoo.
The protesting doctors have demanded for accredited personal protection gears.
“They can’t expect us to perform the surgeries on patients with sub-standard personal equipment. This will expose all of us to highly contagious virus. If this is a COVID-19 hospital, then there should be a proper mechanism in place,” a senior resident said, wishing not to be named.
He noted that the tussle with authorities has been on since Monday.
“We have been repeatedly requesting them to give us standard protective gears but they are not paying any heed,” he said.
He added, additionally, there is a need of having negative pressure creation in the theatres.
“Simple exhaust fans will spread infection both within and outside the hospital. Also there is a need for separate entry and exit for the theatre complex,” he said.
Evolving reports suggest that a meeting is going on in hospital to discuss the matter.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS Medical College Bemina Dr Shifa Deva expressed ignorance over the matter.
“I am yet to know about all the facts pertaining to the strike,” Dr Shifa said.
