Delhi hospitals await protection gear to deal with Ebola virus cases

‘The pending training of govt. staff, continued non-involvement of private physicians and an open-door policy that govt. hospitals follow are some disadvantages that the city has to work with’

Hospitals in the Capital designated to secure, isolate and treat Ebola virus cases continue to await the personal protection equipment (PPE) gear that is key to the care of halting its spread and protection of those working with the patients.

The Union Healthy Ministry had earlier announced that 50,000 PPE gear, including head gear, suits, boots, goggles and gloves, will be procured and made available with the Central government to be distributed to the States.

Hospitals, including Ram Manohar Lohia, Safdarjung and Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash, are still awaiting this kit. The ill-preparedness of the Capital doesn’t end here with the city having only about 20 designated beds in these hospitals for treating Ebola cases.

“The pending training of government medical staff, continued non-involvement of private physicians in the awareness programme about the virus and an open-door policy that government hospitals follow are the added disadvantage that the city has to work with while dealing with this dangerous virus,” said Delhi Medical Council member Dr. Anil Bansal, who cautioned that ‘precaution’ continues to be the Capital’s best bet against Ebola virus.

“Delhi-NCR claims of being able to treat and prevent infection of the Ebola virus seems too far fetched to be believed. The country has to have a smart filtering programme with the Capital being a major transit point in the country,” said Dr. Vinay Labroo, additional director, Internal Medicine, Jaypee Hospital, Noida.

He added that the private doctors in the city, too, haven’t been contacted and educated about the Ebola virus and the protocol to be followed in case a person tests positive.

“We are dealing with a virus that has a 70 per cent mortality rate, which demands very high standardised protection for those dealing with the patients. This along with specific disposal protocol of human and medical waste and isolation wards that are made to cater to isolating the person,” added Dr. Labroo.

Dr. Bansal further explained: “The Council has over 50,000 registered doctors, 70 per cent of who are in the private sector and haven’t been contacted by the government through any specific outreach programme on Ebola. Of course, we are not even considering the 40,000 quacks and physicians in the alternative system of medicines.”

Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Hospital medical superintendent Dr. Siddarth Ramji said: “We have an isolation ward ready with three beds and our staff has undergone one round of training about the virus and treatment. We currently have the protective gear we used for swine flu and are awaiting the specific gear needed to handle Ebola virus. After that is provided to us we will have another round of training for the staff as the gear is key to halting the spread and care of those dealing with the patients.’’

Maintaining that the government is well equipped and prepared to handle cases of Ebola, Safdarjung Hospital medical superintendent Dr. Rajpal said: “We have an isolation ward ready with eight beds. The ward has an independent entry/exist, isolated toilet, ventilation facility and air conditioning. Some of the medical staff has been trained in handling the cases and we are using protective gear, which is very similar to dealing with HIV virus.’’

He added that the isolation ward has been set up near the emergency wing on the ground floor. “This is to prevent any interaction with the general public and patients coming to the hospital,” said Dr. Rajpal.