Summary:
According to Dr Sushama Anil, state secretary of the Kerala Association of Small Hospitals and Clinics (KASC), small and medium healthcare facilities, with less than 20 beds, have been severely hit by shortage of support staff. A majority of the 2,000 small hospitals and clinics affiliated to the association had wound up operation a week ago. “Till recently, many doctors who run small clinics have been functioning like a one-man army doing the role of the support staff as well. However, there is a severe shortage of Personal Protective Equipment which has forced many doctors to close down clinics,” she said. According to Dr Sushama, the state government has not issued any communication to small hospitals or clinics regarding their functioning..