Cramped living quarters, not enough protective gear for us, allege nurses in Gurugram

Ipsita Pati | TNN | Updated: Apr 30, 2020, 07:44 IST

Nurses said seven health workers have been infected in Jharsa.

GURUGRAM: Around 800 nurses living in Jharsa, a containment zone, have alleged that though they are working with critical patients or in Covid-19 wards, they haven’t been given protective gear or accommodation near the private hospitals they are working in. They also said while doctors are provided such facilities, they have been treated unfairly by both the government and their employers.
Although the district administration has declared Jharsa a containment zone after seven Covid-19 cases — all of them health workers —emerged from the area, the health department hasn’t taken their samples for testing, the nurses said. While some hospitals have provided buses for them, social distancing norms are not being followed in the buses and thus there is a high risk of getting infected while commuting, they alleged.
“Many nurses have pointed out that they are not given transport facilities and are forced to walk to workplaces. Also, a few who don’t want to work are being forced to continue. In case they fall sick, they are not given treatment immediately, which is a big concern. Many are sharing common areas, which may help the virus spread to several areas of the city,” said S K Thomas, a member of United Nurses Association.
A male nurse working with a private hospital said they have not been given protective gear. “Nurses are not getting N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits. One of my friends got infected and his family members were found to be positive as well. Hospitals should take more steps to isolate nurses working in Covid wards. Many are not provided any accommodation and thus have to commute every day,” he said. He is currently living in Jharsa.
A 23-year-old nurse, who stays in a hostel provided by a private hospital, said, “Around four to six nurses working in different departments stay in one small room. There are small gaps between our beds, which hardly allows us to maintain social distancing. We also share the same washrooms. This is a serious health hazard and a disaster in the making.”
Most nurses who don’t stay in hostels provided by their hospitals live in Jharsa. “A majority of nurses are from Kerala and face a lot of problems while commuting to work. After our intervention, a few hospitals started sending transport to pick us up, but in the present circumstances, they should provide nurses with temporary accommodation in or near hospitals,” said Shashi Dharan, president of World Malayali Council (Haryana).
Several city hospitals, however, refuted the claims. “We’re providing transportation facilities to nurses staying in our hostels. We’ve given them all required protective gear to contain the virus spread, and also ensure that nurses maintain social distancing while commuting,” a spokesperson for Medanta said.
Similarly, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) too claimed it has provided separate accommodation to nurses. “Every person entering the hospital premises, be it a patient, attendant or a staff member, is screened strictly. Anyone with any slightest symptoms is separated and taken for further evaluations to dedicated flu corners. Robust infection control protocols are followed in each area with full protective equipment, masks and gowns provided for healthcare workers. Social distancing is strictly maintained,” FMRI zonal director Dr Ritu Garg said.
Meanwhile, the health department said it is conducting screening in Jharsa now.
“We are conducting a door-to-door survey and screening across the area,” an official said.