Manjeri (Malappuram): "We have been working 24 hours a day. No quarantine is available. Even the safety of children at home is under risk. We can't continue like this any more..." this is the painful and helpless situation of doctors in the gynecology department of Manjeri medical college which was declared as COVID care centre.

The gynecology department is going to stop giving treatment demanding better facilities for pregnant women. They have informed the matter to Director of Medical Education (DME), Medical College principal, District Medical Officer (DMO) and hospital superintendent.

Manjeri Medical College is accommodating the highest number of COVID patients in the state. Also it is the only hospital which admits pregnant women coming from abroad and other states. But there are only three doctors on duty here. They are compelled to work day and night without taking leave. Even after they come home, doctors will have to return to hospital due to emergency calls at midnight.

In other hospitals, the doctors and staff have to wear PPE kit only for 4 hours whereas the staff in Manjeri medical college have to wear it all the time. The doctors said that they are suffering from physical discomforts wearing it. They have to handle observation at wards and OP service. Both COVID patients and those in quarantine are treated at the same time.

In June, 20 deliveries took place in the hospital. There are 21 pregnant ladies in observation at present. Among them 14 are COVID positive cases. On an average, 5 cases are coming in the OP section every day. The pregnant woman and the baby need more care as they are in COVID quarantine. In complicated cases, abortion also is suggested.

Ernakulam medical college is another COVID care centre in the state. Twelve childbirths took place there in June and about 11 pregnant women arrive there in IP every day on an average. But there are 8 doctors on duty.

The condition worsened after five doctors in Manjeri general hospital were transferred to other hospitals. After many complaints arose, one doctor from Kozhikode medical college was appointed here. But the doctor returned after two weeks. With this, the situation worsened again. A newborn baby and three-month-old twin babies in pregnancy had died two weeks ago here.