By Hamid Khan Wazir
ISLAMABAD: In what appears to be a shocking development, a doctor of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), who was tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19), has been locked in a room having no washroom and drinking water facilities, demanding that they should not be saluted for public consumption but be treated as human.
Dr. Sarwat of PIMS Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre in a heartbroken video message complained that she was tested positive for the Coronavirus on Tuesday and was left high and dry.
She narrated her ordeal that a doctor working with her was tested positive a few days ago but they were asked to continue the work despite the critical situation.
Dr. Sarwat said that the administration was told to seal the department but of no good.
She said, “Owing to incompetence, poor management and the inability of the administration, the situation is fast deteriorating, as neither the administration seal the department nor take any steps for their safety and protection from the deadly disease.”
The department was only sealed when she was tested positive and now she is locked in a room that has no entry and exit points.
Dr. Sarwat said that the administration and the PIMS Executive Director were just holding meetings rather to give serious consideration to the YDA’s demand of sealing the department.
She lamented that even the PIMS ED being head of the department did not know about her whereabouts.
Dr. Sarwat said that she talked to him and informed about her ordeal, adding that he replied that he is searching for a room for her.
She appealed that she should be shifted to a room as she could not even go to home because she could not risk the life of his son and father.
The doctor said that she is in a great depression and shock as on one hand she was tested positive for the virus on the other she was being treated inhumanly.
She demanded that they should not be saluted for public consumption but should be given the much-needed protection gears they demanded.
She said that the government is making tall claims of setting up quarantines for doctors and proving facilities but look at the ground realities.
“I should be provided a room and the required facilities so as I could relax as I am in a great depression right now,” she requested.
I am just back from PIMS. Dr Sarwat is now admitted to a dedicated private room & I have reviewed the situation & have given instructions to improve the state of affairs. I assure all health care workers & thier families of Govt’s full support. We care for you & we mean it! <300> pic.twitter.com/RGjYre0dUF
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) May 5, 2020