Ishtiyaq Ahmad
SRINAGAR : With hospitals facing tough times to deal with COVID-19, authorities on Thursday claimed they have provided accommodation to nurses and paramedics who have asked for.
Principal Government Medical College Srinagar Dr Samia Rashid claimed they have provided accommodation to nurses and paramedics who have asked for.
“We have arranged accommodation not only for doctors but also to those nurses who come forward. There are 30 rooms available at circuit house for staff of microbiology and nurses,” she told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) over phone.
Dr Samia said it was not possible to arrange buses for entire staff of GMC Srinagar associated hospitals.
“Six buses are plying on various routes. But we have to be little careful and keep social distancing,” she said.
Asked there were complaints that five nurses were sharing one room at CD Hospital, Dr Samia said she was not aware of.
Her reaction came a day after KINS reported how nurses in Kashmir are fighting valiantly against coronavirus in absence of protective gear.
“We are not given proper protective gear. We are risking our lives but we have to fight this battle together,” said a nurse at CD Hospital Srinagar.
The nurse said they were facing shortage of accommodations. “At least five nurses have to share one small room adjacent to ward. We have to share washroom with attendants. Nobody is concerned about us,” another nurse has said.
Parveena Khan, president of the nurses association has said government needs to protect nurses who work 24×7 in hospitals.
She said hospitals can run smoothly only when nurses are given protective gear. “We can fight COVID-19 only when we nurses are properly protected. But there is no accommodation for nurses. We too are part of same society. Health should be our priority but with facilities,” she added.(KINS)
