FORCED SILENCE

Doctors and paramedical staff in Kashmir valley have been on the forefront to combat Covid-19 threat. They have been able to look after the patients who were declared positive and many of them recovered from the illness, due to their efforts.

Despite all their efforts, administration wants to silence these doctors even if they only complain for not having enough personal protection gear, masks and other equipment’s to take care of themselves. Administration has issued an order which says strict action would be initiated against those doctors and paramedical staff who resort to what they called as uncalled for reporting to media, about such short comings.

The order has been issued by Directorate of Health Services Kashmir which says that any person disobeying any regulation or order would be booked under epidemic act 1897 punishable under section 188 of Indian panel code.

Recently there has been lot of focus in the media about the arrogance of administration to provide protective gear, masks etc. to the paramedical staff working in various COVID-19 declared hospitals.

Even in various districts of Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners are only asking for 24*7 duties by doctors and paramedical staff without having any arrangements of food, shelter etc. for them.

Recently Doctors Association of Kashmir DAK has written a letter to the government especially to advisor in charge of health pointing to the deficiencies in the system and the letter said that doctors and paramedical staff were not having adequate protection gear especially N95 masks, PVC coated gowns, goggles and other equipment.

Instead of silencing doctors, administration should immediately provide them with proper equipment and should try to keep the hygiene of newly declared COVID-19 hospitals so that the infection does not spread and doctors are protected from the infection.