Srinagar, April 10 (Only Kashmir): In view of increasing number of positive cases and deaths reported, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Chair of J&K RTI Movement in a statement has said “We are deeply concerned, the preparations of J&K Government are patchy and slow due to inadequate health services, lack of staff and infrastructure and planning. The Global trends vis-à-vis the increasing number of positive cases of health-workers in Jammu and Kashmir is indicative of surging demand of PPEs and shortage of supply, thus putting the frontline Medico’s/ workers and their families in danger.”
Dr. Shaikh adds urges the government to provide all necessary technical and operational support to respond to the outbreak, and protection of healthcare workers as the foremost priority.
He said there is a need to immediately come up with:
• Necessary financial packages to meet the medical emergency; and ensure dedicated allocation of funds to the health sector in view of COVID-19.
• A segregated component to procure and provide adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to the health, sanitation and other frontline personnel.
• Supply chain management by having a robust system in place to ensure quality and quantity of PPE kits, testing kits and medicines wherever needed.
“J&K RTI Movement firmly believes and suggests that Government must incentivize the healthcare services being provided by the health care workers amid life threatening COVID-19 crisis,” the statement reads, adding, it is responsibility of the Government to provide:
• Wages of healthcare workers should be paid as per existing norms, with extra hours remunerated and risk allowance covered, especially of doctors and paramedics.
• Special paid leaves in case of COVID-19 related sickness and quarantine to be provided.
• Access to media: to flag the issues and redress gaps in the COVID-19 preparedness.
• Suitable accommodation (Government or private) for doctors and paramedics working on COVID-19 related health issues with food and other logistics covered; so as to prevent their families from danger.
