All is not well with the health of the doctors taking care of Covid-19 patients, for as many as 99 doctors have succumbed to the disease while 1,302 others have been infected in the country.
Issuing a red alert, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday called for tempering the working hours for doctors' safety and monitoring on daily basis the provision of PPEs, physical distancing and sanitisers.
Operation theaters, labour rooms, laboratories and casualties require special care. ICUs and Critical Care units deserve close scrutiny for adherence to best practices and protocols, the IMA said which represent the medical professionals in the country.
The IMA pointed out that database of the National Covid Registry shows that in all 99 doctors died. Of them, 73 doctors were above 50 years of age, accounting for 75 per cent of the total deaths among doctors.
While 19 doctors were in the age group of 35-50 years, accounting for 19 per cent of the deaths and seven doctors were in the age group of below 35 years, accounting for 6 per cent of the doctor deaths.
In all, 1,401 doctors were exposed to the virus. Among the 1,302 doctors infected, 586 are practicing doctors, 566 resident doctors, and 150 house surgeons.
"Covid-19 death amongst doctors is of great concern. Medical profession remains the beacon of hope for the nation to lead the exit from the pandemic. IMA strongly advocates the leadership of doctors in adopting all scientific best practices. Wide dissemination of such knowledge is happening through an avalanche of webinars helping doctors to face the challenge," said IMA president Dr Rajan Sharma and honourary secretary general Dr RV Asokan in a joint release on Wednesday.
"If Covid-19 mortality has to be lessened, it has to start with doctors and hospitals. This requires intense review and updating of all administrative set ups in the hospitals including the infection control protocols," the IMA heads said suggesting that gaps in providing for the safety of doctors, nurses and staff be closed.
They stressed on the need for a feedback system from the doctors, employees and public needs to be in place besides adhering to cleaning and sanitisation protocols.
"Administrative gaps are being addressed. Clinics and nursing homes have opened. Hospitals are functioning to capacity. Protocols and procedures are in place. Doctors need to take charge of the situation and ensure the safety of themselves, their families, their colleagues and staff," they said calling upon the senior doctors who are decision makers for the institutions to take more responsibility to take care of their flock.