Ganesh Das Hospital Doctors & Nurses Expresses Concern Over Notification on 2 Days Rest

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: Frontline workers (doctor and nurse) at Ganesh Das Hospital have expressed concern over the notification issued on May 20th, which grants them 2 days rest and return to duty thereafter.

The doctors and nurses engaged with COVID-19 patients have stated that it's difficult for them to go home as they have been exposed to positive patients and this might lead to family members at home getting the virus as they might be the carrier. In this connection, The Sentinel spoke with Congress leader and MLA from East Shillong constituency Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh to have an insite in her views and suggestions concerning the matter.

"This is a rooster for duty that doesn't look at the situation of health workers at ground zero. If an advisory from our frontline workers is ignored then the government will see tougher times ahead," Lyngdoh said.

She said there is merit in the argument that frontline workers now must be provided with immediate appropriate accommodation since the virus is severely causing our fatality rate shoot with today's death toll stands at 24.

"In the first wave Meghalaya advocated a good practice and what is surprising is that as the virus spreads dangerously the government is found wanting in learning from last year's exposure," she said.

Lyngdoh further said that if health workers are saying that it is unethical for the government to send them home, whilst calling for a total lockdown for citizens, the government has to listen. It is true that this personnel come from the war zone to very likely cause big spreading or hotspots in their homes or localities.

"Health workers are now insecure to go home and cause danger to their home and community. Government should pay all pending bills to hotels, guest houses and draw out fresh contracts with these sectors without further delay," she said.

She also suggested that the government can negotiate with hotel facilities and ensure that at such trying times, these workers who've risked and sacrificed all should be given due attention and action should be taken at the earliest. In fact, even while using these facilities health workers should be allowed to rest for 2 days.

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