PMA demands relief for doctors, paramedics working in quarantine centres

SUKKUR: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has asked the government to provide, personal protection equipment, N95 masks to the doctors and paramedics serving in isolation wards for coronavirus patients. They also demanded withdrawing the decision of 10 per cent deduction from their salaries for the relief.

President PMA Khairpur Dr Muhammad Shareef Panhwar and general secretary Dr Muhammad Zaffar Jatoi expressed their concerns over the current situation of coronavirus in Sindh and demanded the doctors and paramedical staff, who are the frontline workers against coronavirus at hospitals should be provided personal protective equipment (PPE), according to the World Health Organization's guidelines. The president PMA said the doctors working without protective measures are in extreme danger of being infected with the virus. Panwhar said that MS and medical staff at Kohsar Hospital Hyderabad were infected with the virus, while Dr Osama died after contracting the infection.

Speaking on the occasion, the other PMA leaders said the doctors were playing vital role by serving the coronavirus positive patients by risking their lives. They said the doctors and paramedics performing their duties should be provided proper accommodation and the decision to deduct 10 per cent of their salary should be withdrawn. They also demanded giving doctors and paramedics one month salary as bonus to keep them motivated to serve the nation against the menace.