Margao: The private medical practitioners in Goa have expressed their worry over the increasing harassment to their community over COVID-19 situation in the state.
Indian Medical Association Goa Unit chief Dr S Samuel said that one of their members have been tested positive for coronavirus infection, after which the fraternity have been targeted by the people.
Samuel said that one of their member had to undergo mental trauma after he was accused of ‘medical negligence.’
He said that the members of medical fraternity are increasing facing discrimination, though they are on the forefront to fight back COVID-19.
Addressing a press conference in Margao on Thursday, the IMA urged people of the state to stop discriminating the doctors and other health workers including nurses who have been working to stop spread of COVID-19.
“The private hospitals are currently running with thin staff. The family members of several nurses refuse to send them to the work fearing that they might be infected,” he said.
Samuel said that many of the hospital are working with as less as 20 per cent staff.
He said that the doctors who are treating patients for ailments other than COVID-19 are also likely to be impacted with the virus as they are dealing with so many people at a time.
“We fear that the harassment and discrimination towards doctors will increase in future in Goa. The doctors could have very well closed their clinics and hospitals and stayed back home,but they are working to provide service to the people,” he said.
The IMA has demanded that the state government should provide separate paid facility for the doctors in some hotels to admit themselves, if they are tested positive.
“We are ready to pay for the facility but we should be provided separate facility, if we or our family members test positive,” he said.
Samuel also said that the option of getting treatment at home, if doctor is asymptomatic, should be made available.
