Medics hold 'black ribbon' protest against new quarantine

New Delhi: Doctors deployed in Covid-19 duty in allthe Central and state government hospitals on Friday sported black arm bands while at work as a mark of protest.The 'black ribbon protest' has been organised by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) India to express the medical professionals' disappointment over the revised guidelines for health workers posted in Covid areas, issued by the Union and State health departments.

Deep Chand Bandhu Government Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital in the national capital are a few hospitals where the doctors are currently holding the protest by sporting black arm bands.The organisers said that if the government does not pay attention to their issues, they will intensify the agitation.

Speaking to IANS, FORDA President Shivaji Dev Barman said,"Today's 'black ribbon protest' at work is for the justified demand for adequate quarantine and testing for all doctors and other healthcare workers who are on Covid-19 duty. Since the incubation period of the virus is 2-14 days and many asymptomatic patients are also testing positive, quarantine post duty is a necessity.

"It is necessary to stop the spread of the virus among the family members, colleagues and in the community. We urge the Union Health Minister to revisit the guidelines and make necessary amendments. We will have to intensify the agitation if the issues are not adequately addressed.

"This is to draw the attention of the Union government and the Delhi government so that they can withdraw the 'no quarantine' order. We don't want your 'Taali' and 'Thaali'. We want to serve the community for which we need proper 14 days of quarantine."