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On 6th April 2020, police in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta arrested more than 50 doctors who were protesting against the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits for health workers on the front lines of the country's battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) [1]. Police later used batons to disperse the group after they tried to enter the chief minister's home, resulting in scuffles between the sides. 53 doctors were taken into custody for violating the law," said Abdul Razzaq Cheema, a senior police official.
“There is a lot of psychological distress and trauma, as we have no idea how many patients we have infected or will be infecting,” said Amanullah, a senior doctor in Pakistan. “That’s why we decided to march and demand PPE; not for ourselves, but to save the lives of many.”
Doctors in the state-run hospital still have not been provided with PPE and in facilities that have not been designated as Covid-19 hospitals, there are no isolation wards for doctors who have been infected [2].
Medical staff across Pakistan have complained for weeks over the severe shortages of safety equipment in hospitals as they treat patients suffering from COVID-19. Yasir Achakzai, president of the doctors association in Quetta, told that the Government was not following the World Health Organization's guidelines for protecting doctors and other health workers.
Unfortunately, more than ten doctors have died in Pakistan after contracting the COVID-19 [3] while dozens of medical workers have recently tested positive for COVID-19 including 23 from Nishtar Hospital Multan, and 17 from Karachi’s Civil Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre. The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients rose to 5,988 with 107 deaths and 1446 recovered since the outbreak began in late February, according to government data [4].
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) noted that while "politicians and bureaucrats are often seen wearing N-95 masks during meetings and visits… health professionals are facing a dire shortage of (these masks) and PPE”.
Following the surge in cases among medics, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded the higher authorities to provide necessary equipment and treatment facilities to the affected doctors and paramedical staff because treating COVID-19 patients without necessary equipment is akin to suicide.
In short, lack of equipment, dysfunctional government, and conflicting messages are impeding the country’s efforts against coronavirus.
1 Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 2 Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, GC University Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3 Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan; 4 Nishatr Hospital, Multan, Pakistan;
COVID-19: Pakistan doctors beaten by police on demanding medical gear
Dear Editor,
On 6th April 2020, police in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta arrested more than 50 doctors who were protesting against the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits for health workers on the front lines of the country's battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) [1]. Police later used batons to disperse the group after they tried to enter the chief minister's home, resulting in scuffles between the sides. 53 doctors were taken into custody for violating the law," said Abdul Razzaq Cheema, a senior police official.
“There is a lot of psychological distress and trauma, as we have no idea how many patients we have infected or will be infecting,” said Amanullah, a senior doctor in Pakistan. “That’s why we decided to march and demand PPE; not for ourselves, but to save the lives of many.”
Doctors in the state-run hospital still have not been provided with PPE and in facilities that have not been designated as Covid-19 hospitals, there are no isolation wards for doctors who have been infected [2].
Medical staff across Pakistan have complained for weeks over the severe shortages of safety equipment in hospitals as they treat patients suffering from COVID-19. Yasir Achakzai, president of the doctors association in Quetta, told that the Government was not following the World Health Organization's guidelines for protecting doctors and other health workers.
Unfortunately, more than ten doctors have died in Pakistan after contracting the COVID-19 [3] while dozens of medical workers have recently tested positive for COVID-19 including 23 from Nishtar Hospital Multan, and 17 from Karachi’s Civil Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre. The nationwide tally of COVID-19 patients rose to 5,988 with 107 deaths and 1446 recovered since the outbreak began in late February, according to government data [4].
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) noted that while "politicians and bureaucrats are often seen wearing N-95 masks during meetings and visits… health professionals are facing a dire shortage of (these masks) and PPE”.
Following the surge in cases among medics, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded the higher authorities to provide necessary equipment and treatment facilities to the affected doctors and paramedical staff because treating COVID-19 patients without necessary equipment is akin to suicide.
In short, lack of equipment, dysfunctional government, and conflicting messages are impeding the country’s efforts against coronavirus.
References:
1. Pakistan doctors beaten by police as they despair of 'untreatable' pandemic, The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/09/pakistan-doctors-beaten-po...)
2. Coronavirus: Why Pakistan's doctors are so angry. BBC NEWS. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52243901)
3. Pakistan report death of third doctor from Coronavirus. The Nation. (https://nation.com.pk/06-Apr-2020/pakistan-reports-death-of-3rd-doctor-f...)
4. http://covid.gov.pk/
Competing interests: No competing interests