PG Medical students say NO to Covid-19 duty

The Karnataka Association Of Resident Doctor (KARD) has also opposed this decision of roping in PG doctors to serve in COVID facilities.

The PG students attached to the institution have submitted a letter to the dean of the institution stating that there are thousands of patients who had suffered due to lack of tertiary care last year and the Hospital has also seen that due to negligence in treating non-COVID patients, they are often admitted to the hospital with a very advanced stage of illness.

The students also added that they have already lost one precious academic year in 2020 when they had to work in the dedicated COVID facilities and they were deprived of the chance to learn about other diseases.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that last year the PG medical students were instructed to ensure a one-year compulsory service in government facilities after the completion of their PG medical courses amidst the pandemic.

As per a recent media report by Hans India, in the letter submitted to the Dean, the students mentioned, "No other medical college students in Karnataka were hit as badly as us due to Covid. Despite all the difficulties we provided our service for the benefit of society last year. Multiple representations have been made in the past regarding the loss of academic and non-Covid exposure which was published in various newspapers. In the present scenario, it is highly difficult for us to continue doing the same."

The students have requested the authorities to give them the chance to upskill themselves in their respective departments as it is essential to treat non-COVID patients, as a part of their PG curriculum. They further stated, " The college may have numerous pressures from higher authorities since we understand we are the most easily available and accessible option to get the work done in the metropolitan city. But the government has had enough time to prepare in case a second wave occurs in Karnataka."

The former President of the Resident Doctors Association, Dr Dayananda Sagar also stated that it is high time for the government to get an alternative infrastructure and human resources for the second wave.

Commenting on the issue, he posted on his social media account stating, "f an entire govt, its ministers, all its MLAs can't get an alternative infrastructure and human resource for the second wave. U still rely on postgraduate students to hide your failures. Irrespective of the party, U r worthless. The joke is on you." Karnataka Association Of Resident Doctors also criticized the move and stated, " After one long year the if you still fail to recruit doctors and still depend upon PG students and interns for handling the crisis at the cost of their education, must be really sad and shameful!"