Chandigarh, May 19, 2020 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today asked chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to hold a high level inquiry into repeated scams involving purchase of PPE kits and N-95 masks while highlighting how after doctors of Amritsar Government Medical College, now entire staff of the Ludhiana Civil hospital had protested against sub-standard safety kits given to them.
In a statement here, SAD senior leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema asked the chief minister to hold a time bound inquiry into the purchases of PPE kits as well as gloves and masks after four medical staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in Ludhiana, saying the State government should not allow the lives of its frontline warriors to be endangered at any cost.
“Not doing so will only send out a message that the State does not empathise with the doctors, nursing staff and employees who are being forced to work in government hospitals without a care to their safety”.
Dr Daljit Cheema also demanded that the entire sub-standard PPE kits and N-95 masks be returned to the suppliers and pressure be put on them to replace the same with quality material. “The entire process of purchasing this material should also be made more transparent and samples of PPE kits should be obtained in advance from the concerned companies before orders are placed”.
Meanwhile the SAD leader appreciated the doctors and staff of the Ludhiana civil hospital who registered a symbolic protest against the sub-standard kits given to them but rejoined their duties soon after. He said the government should keep in mind that the medical staff was working in COVID-19 wards at a grave personal risk by using defective PPE kits and masks.
“Four medical staff members registered positive for COVID-19 yesterday and more have been tested in this regard. The government must move quickly and ensure PPE kits of high quality are supplied to them or else the fight against the pandemic will be severely compromised in the State”, Dr Cheema added.
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