COVID 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. Logistics have NBC improved. 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. Senior doctors who are decision makers for the institutions have enhanced
responsibility of taking care of their flock. Friendly and scientific batch posting needs to be implemented.
Working hours should be tempered by concerns of safety. Providing for PPEs , triaging, physical distancing and
sanitisers should be monitored on daily basis. 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.
IMA declares RED ALERT to doctors and Medical administrators to raise their guard. If COVID
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. Any gap in
providing for the safety of doctors, nurses and staff have to be closed. A feedback system from the doctors,
employees and public needs to be in place. Cleaning and sanitising protocols should be meticulously adhered
to. Analysis of data shows that while Senior doctors and Young doctors are equally infected with Covid the
mortality is higher with elders. While this is on expected lines there is scope for lessening deaths across the
age spectrum. Meticulous adherence to norms and discipline inside hospitals will have a salutary effect.
Recovery is the norm; Death is an exception: even for doctors.
LSW Lifescienceworld
www.lswlifescienceworld.com