Have not been provided safety gear: Doctors posted at Champawat borders

PITHORAGARH: Doctors who have been posted at the inter-state border in Champawat to check for Covid-19 patients are complaining of lack of protective gear. The doctors added that they are forced to work in makeshift camps which don’t have running water or any other basic facilities.
“The Champawat district administration had on Monday sealed the inter-district and international border with Nepal.At the seven entry points in the district, doctors and police personnel have been posted for screening,” said Champawat district magistrate SN Pandey. “Many persons come here from different parts of the country, which is why screening is necessary. Doctors check for symptoms like cough, cold or respiratory problems and ask them where they are coming from,” added the DM.
The doctors, who did not want to be named, said that they had been sent 40km away from their postings and transportation being restricted, they had received few medical equipment. “The district administration has sent us no masks or sanitizers. We have made makeshift camps with no facilities whatsoever. Work is not a problem for us as long as we get proper medical equipment and protective gear,” said one of the doctors.
District Aurvedic and Unani officer Umesh Chandra Pathak admitted that the doctors’ concern was genuine. “We have sent a demand for the equipment to Champawat chief medical officer. The gear should reach the doctors shortly,” said Pathak.
“Till now, the administration has been busy handling the issues of Nepal border and Purnagiri mela. The administration will shortly take care of the scarcity,” said the DM. “The district has four thermal guns. Some will be sent to Almora and Pithoragarh border points as per necessity. The administration will take over government vehicles and provide them to the doctors,” he added.