AICCTU Supports the genuine concerns related to COVID-19 preparedness raised by RDA of AIIMS, Delhi
AICCTU strongly condemns “harsh backlash” by officials against front line health care workers including Doctors for raising genuine concerns related to COVID-19 preparedness, as alleged by the Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS, Delhi. In its letter to PM the Association says “... our front line health workers-doctors, nurses and other supportive staff have come forward with problems and issues – Instead of appreciating their efforts towards welfare of their peers and patients, they have received a harsh backlash. … It is the responsibility of govt. to ensure that these “soldiers” are heard, their opinion respected, rather than humiliated ...” They have demanded withdrawal of all punishments and restoration of their honour.
The most recent directive of AIIMS administration to its health staff to use the N-95 masks four times only proves to further justify the genuine concerns raised by the Association about severe lack of PPE, masks, ventilators, quarantine facilities, etc. Everywhere in the country health workers are raising these concerns for which they are facing the ire of administration.
The front line health care workers, the soldiers in this war against Corona - from our doctors, nurses, other para-medical staff, ASHAs etc. to cleaning workers – the safety and protection of whom, need to be given utmost priority, are being neglected and not fully equipped with safety measures. Scores of health workers including doctors and nurses have been found corona-positive. There are reports of health workers being ostracised by their neighbourhood, facing physical attacks and abuse from patients or their attendants. Even worse, they are facing highhandedness of govt. officials for raising the genuine concerns. Even the ASHA and Anganwadi workers who are working in the frontline in combating Corona are being manhandled in various states by police.
Even when the PM describes the present situation a war situation, it is highly condemnable that the front line health care workers- the soldiers in this war against Corona are facing administration’s backlash and apathetic and insensitive attitude of central and state governments. It is high time that the central govt. equips front line health care workers and hospitals with adequate supplies of necessary facilities and equipment to fight the spread of Corona and for treatment of patients.
