Coronavirus tightens its grip over Delhi doctors

On Saturday, a doctor died of the novel coronavirus disease or Covid-19 at Delhi's Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.

2. A day before, a blood bank manager at a private hospital in the city succumbed to the highly infectious ailment.

3. On June 15, at least 20 AIIMS healthcare workers tested positive for the deadly virus.

4. On the same day, a doctor working at a mohalla clinic in Delhi died of Covid-19.

5. On June 3, a nurse in the city lost her life to it.

These are only the latest from a spiral of Covid-19 cases among health workers in the national capital. More than 1,300, including doctors and nurses, from private and government hospitals, have been infected, according to multiple estimates.

If one includes health workers like lab technicians, the number will breach the 2,000-mark - a massive spike from a mere 290 less than two months ago. Hundreds of others are in quarantine in Delhi that was already reeling under an acute shortage of doctors.

The actual crisis, however, may be much deeper as several hospitals haven't compiled infections among care-givers and there's hardly any data available from smaller nursing homes and clinics.

CRISIS DEEPENS

The shrinking strength of health workers may hit government plans to ramp up testing and medical infrastructure, experts warned. On Sunday, Delhi reported 3,000 new infections, taking the total to 59,746. With 63 more deaths, the toll has mounted to 2,175.

Delhi is next only to Maharashtra in terms of viral overload. A government estimate says that the National Capital will have 5.5 lakh infection cases by July 31.

INFECTION TRIGGERS

Many cases among care-givers have been reported from non-Covid hospitals. Experts fear a huge number of asymptomatic patients apart from poor quality PPE kits and the recent explosion in overall cases might be triggers.

"Poor PPE kits, hospital Infection control and quarantine facilities are factors contributing to the high infection rate among health workers," said Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T.

"With many hospitals falling in hotspots, we are seeing a lot of health workers getting infected. The huge number of asymptomatic patients should also be a reason," said Dr Col Vijay Dutta of Indian Spinal Injuries Center.

PROTEST SPIRALS

Many doctors' associations have urged the government to provide proper protection. The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) of India had demanded a separate treatment facility for Covid-19 positive doctors and other medical staff.

On June 10, the AIIMS nurses' union called off their protest after the administration agreed to meet their demands that included a four-hour duty with PPE in Covid areas, a rotation policy and a proper feedback system.

Many private hospitals across Delhi are seeing resignations by nurses who have been complaining of poor PPE suits, long and difficult working hours and inadequate support from authorities.

Some private hospitals approached the police as well. Last week, Primus Super Speciality Hospital lodged a complaint with the police against its nurses, accusing them of "abandoning patients".

A few days later, nurses rejoined duty on a reassurance that their demands, particularly reduction of duty hours, will be met. In a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the United Nurses' Association, a countrywide network, complained of being given sub-standard PPEs and N95 masks.

"The staff is worried for their lives. There are no quarantine facilities and many are leaving the city. Many private hospitals are also deducting salaries. We have written several times to both the Delhi government and the Centre, but there has been no reply," UNA president Rince Joseph said.

THE COURT BATTLE

On June 14, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court by UNA raising concern over the safety of health workers and seeking directions to authorities to provide proper protection kits. "Any further shortage of health workers would result in thousands of unattended Covid-19 patients, which will have serious repercussions including an escalation of the present situation and resultant impact on the economy, medical facilities, potential deaths and loss of human resource," the application said.

"The government should take necessary steps to meet the growing demand of doctors. They should create positions and make contractual appointments as a stop gap arrangement," said Dr Dutta.

HOME TRUTHS

Being trapped inside PPE suits for hours is tough, battling the fear of contracting Covid-19 tougher and not meeting children, spouses or parents for weeks is the toughest, say doctors. Like Vikas and Jyoti Yadav, both AIIMS doctors living with their 11-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son in Gurugram, many care-givers are having a difficult time.

They return home to isolation. They haven't been within touching distance of their children for long. "Isolating ourselves from the children is the most difficult part," Jyoti said.

The children have their own room and have been understanding, they said. Eleven family members of an LNJP Hospital dietician, who was tested positive earlier, were found infected last month. A total of 56 people were sent to quarantine as well.

At AIIMS, 697 health workers -- including 17 senior professors, 32 resident doctors and 115 nurses -- have infected 617 family members.

But health workers are undeterred in their determination to do their best. "As doctors, this isn't something new for us. We are always at risk," said Irfan V, an AIIMS resident doctor.

"Doctors are under a lot of stress because they are over-burdened and have long and tough working hours. There is panic among family members," said Rajiv Mehta, Vice Chairperson, Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

GOVT ACTION

The Union Health Ministry has told states to take utmost care of health workers. On Sunday, the Centre extended the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for about 22 lakh health workers for another three months till September.

The scheme was slated to end on June 30. The insurance provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers who may have to be in direct contact and care of coronavirus patients.

Meanwhile, AAP government officials said they were in talks with Delhi Medical Association (DMA) to arrange more manpower.

The government has also decided to hire medical students. "We have set up flu centres in hospitals to ensure that suspect cases do not mingle with doctors," said an official.

-With PTI inputs