Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 26: Doctors in the Kashmir valley today lashed out at the health authorities for failing to vaccinate healthcare workers in view of the outbreak of H1N1 virus in the state.
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) said in a statement that healthcare workers which include doctors, nurses, paramedics and lab staff are forced to handle H1N1 patients and their samples without being vaccinated.
“Health authorities are ethically bound to vaccinate healthcare workers to promote patient safety. Since they have not been vaccinated soon after flu vaccines became available ideally by October, it is highly irresponsible of health officials who have failed to vaccinate healthcare workers thus risking patients,” said President DAK and H1N1 expert Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan.
He said that vaccination is the only tool to prevent contraction and spread of H1N1 virus and it is mandatory on health authorities to vaccinate healthcare workers who are at increased risk of contracting flu and further transmitting it to patients.
“It is obligatory on health authorities to immunize healthcare workers to prevent disruption of medicare system. Vaccination of healthcare workers will build trust in patients who will feel safe at the hands of protected caregivers during outbreak,” he said.
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