PGI surgeons want decent scrubs, pyjamas that fit

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The exact provocation for the letter could not be ascertained but several surgeons have many times complained that the light blue pyjamas and shirts meant to be worn inside the OT are old and unfit for operations.

“The scrubs which are provided to surgeons in PGI are even worse than the clothes of beggars. You will find them torn at various places, buttons will be missing from the shirts and we have to tie belts to fix our pajamas,” one PGI surgeon, who did not wish to be named citing hospital restrictions on speaking to media, told The Indian Express.

“The problem of non-availability of decent clothes and adequate number of slippers has been there for a long time. In the near future, we are going to raise the issue with the Director, PGI,” said Dr TD Yadav, President, PGI, Faculty Association.
Doctors say the worst of the scrubs can be seen in the Operation Theatre of PGI’s Emergency. “Often you will see doctors rushing inside operation theatres for surgeries, in semi-naked condition. Pants and shirts will be torn at various places, and they cannot waste their time choosing their scrubs. We find it very insulting, but what can we do? Can the PGI administration not provide these basic things to surgeons.”

Another surgeon said that instead of waiting for the administration to provide decent clothes, he had his own scrubs tailored. “But I was the odd one out, so I got back to wearing the old, torn clothes,” he added.

Slippers too are a contentious issue as there are not enough of them at many of the OTs. As a result, surgeons carry their own OT footwear.

The surgeons have other complaints. Female surgeons do not want to change in the same room as nursing staff and want their own changing room in every OT. “There is a changing room for male doctors, but, there is no separate changing room for female surgeons in Emergency and Main Operation Theatre. They have to use the changing room meant for the nursing staff,” said one surgeon.

When contacted, PGI’s spokesperson, Manju Wadwalkar said, “We will look into the matter, and try to solve the problem as soon as possible.”