Clad in PPE, docs battle foggy vision, dehydration

Karam Prakash

tribune News Service

Patiala, July 26

Everyone has been limiting their outdoor visits, and stepping out only when it’s important in the wake of Covid-19. However, for doctors, having to head out to their workplaces is inevitable. Battling the odds, doctors at the gynecology department of Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, are carrying out deliveries of Covid positive women successfully.

In all, 14 women who had tested positive have delivered their babies at the hospital, with no reports of maternal and infant death so far. Given that doctors have to wear their PPE suits at all times, it has become difficult for them to carry out the deliveries because of low visibility and communication problems.

Dr Parneet Kaur, incharge, gynaecology department, said the delivery of Covid patients continued to throw practical challenges that were hard to tackle. She said: “We have developed a sign language to communicate with our patients. Also, wearing the PPE suit for long hours fogs our vision. Therefore, I ask my staff to drink adequate water to avoid dehydration before carrying out a delivery.”

Besides, taking care of both newborn and Covid positive mother is another challenge faced by the doctors, as they have to ensure that the infection in not contracted by the infant.