New Delhi: Health workers at the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute in Delhi say two members of the staff died of Covid infection after coming into contact with a patient. During the first wave of Covid, two health workers succumbed to the infection.
Alleging medical apathy, workers at the non-Covid facility said that on April 9, a woman was admitted without having the mandatory RT-PCR report. After her condition worsened, she was shifted to the ICU where she tested Covid positive on April 19. Many hospital staff who came in her contact got infected.
The staff also alleged that the woman was shifted to a separate hospital on April 20 only after they pressurised the hospital administration which has failed to provide safety to its workers.
Later, Deepak Upreti, ward attendant and Ramesh Taank, laboratory assistant died due to Covid on May 3 and May 6 respectively while most of the hospital staff got infected some of them are under treatment.
During the first wave of Covid, Shree Kishan, mason and Akash, contract ward attendant died due to Covid on 16 June 2020 and 20 June 2020.
In an exclusive interaction with ETV Bharat, a senior hospital staff alleged that serious concerns have been ignored by the administration.
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Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute is supported by the University of Delhi. The hospital with 128-bed facilities employs nearly 400 people, including students, doctors and other staff.
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The workers also stated that the hospital did not make any arrangements to vaccinate them against Covid despite the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare taking care of its endowment.
Eventually, they had to register themselves for the vaccination.
The workers have also alleged that the management threatened them with suspension after they raised their voices and submitted written applications.
ETV Bharat also tried to connect with the administration of the institute. The office of the Joint Registrar and Public Information Officer refused to comment while the calls made to the Director's office remained unanswered.
