Shift timing reduced for medicos in Covid-19 wards Wearing PPE kit for long hours in high temperature is difficult
As day temperature has touched 44 degree Celsius in the City, the district administration has decided to reduce shift timing to six hours from eight besides increasing shifts to four from three for the doctors and nursing staff deputed on Covid-19 duty in ESIC hospital and GIMS. The changes are likely to come into effect from Saturday.
Increasing mercury had caused a lot of inconvenience for the Covid-19 warriors as they had to work in the wards wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. There is no permission to use Air-Conditioners (ACs) in Covid-19 hospitals.
A Covid-19 warrior working in ESIC hospital, who didn’t wish to be quoted, said once the kit is worn, we will remove it only after our shift is over. We can’t drink even water and go to toilet while working in Covid-19 ward. It is difficult to be on PPE kit for eight hours in such a high temperature.
Moreover, increasing sweat and high temperature has been causing dehydration in them. A PPE kit consists of shoe cover, two pairs of hand gloves, general and N-95 mask and a gown, he said.
Confirming the change of timings and increase in shifts in the wake of increasing mercury in the City, a doctor on Covid-19 duty said, it is likely to come into force from Saturday as those deputed to the Covid-19 duty will complete a week of work.
Deputy Commissioner B Sharat told DH that as per Covid-19 protocol, there was no provision to use ACs in the wards where Covid-19 patients are undergoing treatment. Due to unbearable temperature, permission has been given to the Covid-19 hospital to use ACs with Hepa filter. Keeping in mind the health of Covid-19 warriors in hospitals, we have also increased shifts to four from three reducing shift timing to six hours from eight hours, he explained.