The Teachers Association Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) has requested the director of JNIMS and authority to reconsider the opening of new COVID ward(s) at JNIMS without proper manpower and infrastructures.
The teachers association convened a meeting on Thursday regarding the present developments in JNIMS and COVID-19 issues and submitted a letter to the JNIMS director.
The letter stated that dedicated COVID warriors/staff of JNIMS are disheartened by the lack of appreciation and empathy by authority.
The association also condemned the clause 3(b) of the record of discussions regarding COVID treatment capacity which the director of RIMS and director of JNIMS had with chief secretary on October 20 at chief secretary's chamber.
The clause says, "staff/doctors of RIMS/JNIMS who test positive but are asymptomatic should undergo home isolation as per SOP or be shifted to COVID Care Centre. Under no circumstances should they occupy COVID beds in violation of SOP."
The letter also pointed out that over 153 healthcare providers have been infected with COVID-19 so far and the staff who are COVID-19 positive are suffering due to lack of accommodation facilities at present.
JNIMS has been closed for three days from October 22 after 16 staff including 14 doctors and two technicians tested positive for COVID-19 on October 20.
Director JNIMS on Wednesday said that the hospital will close down OPD, casualty ward and also stop taking new non-COVID patients. However, the sample testing of COVID-19 and intake of COVID positive patients will continue.
