Pakistan Medical Association expresses concern over shortage of safety gear for health professionals
Health professionals are facing a dire shortage of N-95 mask and other personal protective equipment: PMA
April 09, 2020
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed concern over the lack of protective equipment being provided to healthcare providers treating coronavirus patients in the country.
In a statement released by PMA Secretary-General Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad, the misuse of N-95 masks by the general public had been observed. “These days politicians and bureaucrats were often seen wearing N-95 mask during their meetings and visits, whereas, health professionals were facing a dire shortage of N-95 mask and other personal protective equipment (PPE),” he said.
He noted that the N-95 marks were not necessary for everybody. “This is only needed in the quarantine and isolation facilities for the health providers treating coronavirus patients, who are at the highest risk of acquiring coronavirus,” he said.
“Doctors should be protected as they are frontline soldiers against coronavirus, the PMA secretary-general said.
“There are different types of masks available for healthcare providers and the general public,” he said, adding, the general public could instead use handmade washable masks.
“Surgical masks are for healthcare workers who are treating non-coronavirus patients at primary care level and during surgeries. The media should play their due role in creating awareness in this regard,” he added.
Earlier this week, Balochistan doctors protested against the unavailibiity of PPE and went on strike forcing authorities to make emergency arrangements.
Later, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa ordered military authorities to dispatch medical supplies for doctors in Quetta.
Originally published in The News
