Govt Steps In As Doctors Get Infected

With three more ‘Corona warriors’ in Delhi testing positive in just one day, proper protective gear for medics and nurses becomes an urgent need

- Gulam Jeelani and Isha Gupta

As reports of doctors and medics getting infected with Coronavirus spiralled, both the Centre and the Delhi government accelerated efforts to augment the supplies of medical equipment.

On Wednesday, three doctors in the National Capital, one in Chandigarh, two nurses in Mumbai and one in Panchkula were among those who tested positive for the virus that has infected more than 1,600 people across the country including 150 in the National Capital.

Officials of the health department had to close the outpatient clinic of the Delhi State Cancer Institute after a 35-yearold doctor working there tested positive.

Still there is no cause for alarm as far as supply of medical equipment was concerned, insists the government.

On Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry said it was ensuring an upgrade in the domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and enhancement of supplies to the states.

“As far as PPEs are concerned, there was a problem in the beginning because the products had to be imported. Parallel to this, we are developing indigenous capabilities to manufacture them indigenously. And as per the revised guidelines [for procurement of PPES] we are trying to upgrade the manufacturing capacity which will be provided to states,” Union Health Ministry’s Joint Secretary, Luv Aggarwal said on Wednesday.

IN THE LINE OF DUTY