PGI Chandigarh: Quarantine period of doctors, health workers to be treated as 'on duty'

Chandigarh: Observing the guidelines issued by the Centre, the authorities of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh has instructed all the administrative heads and officials to treat quarantine period of the doctors and health workers as 'on duty'.

Confirmation to this effect has been given by PGIMER Director Professor Jagat Ram, who stated that they will be referring the quarantine period for the health workers as on duty, adding that they are as much exposed to the infection while extending their services under the current scenario.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the Ministry of Health had consulted with the Department of Personnel and Training and the Government of India and decided to refer the Quarantine period as on duty for doctors and health workers following which the Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry submitted the letter to the chief secretaries of the state and union territories. He had mentioned that the quarantine period of doctors and health workers for their duties related to COVID-19 should be treated as on duty. Authorities had submitted an affidavit of the letter to the Supreme Court as well.

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In the letter, he had clarified that "the Healthcare workers are at the forefront of COVID management, one of the occupational hazards is the risk of exposure and acquiring the disease. Advisory has already been issued on risk assessment and categorization of doctors and other Health Care workers exposed to COVID and categorizing them as high risk and low-risk exposure." 

Following the same guidelines, PGI authorities have also applied the same rule for the health workers and PGI staff.

"Persons with high-risk exposure to the virus while performing Covid duty are required to undergo quarantine initially for one week only. Thereafter, taking the profile of such healthcare workers, a decision shall be taken by the institution to extend quarantine for a further period of one week. This quarantine has been prescribed in the larger public interest to thwart the spread of the virus," read the order issued in this regard.

Commenting on the same, PGI Director told HT, "If there is any difference in opinion of stakeholders, a common policy will be applicable,".