A group of Sikh doctors has petitioned the federal and New South Wales governments to make powered air-purifying respirators or PAPR freely available for bearded healthcare workers who work in hospital emergency departments. They believe their campaign will help healthcare workers from other faiths too, who can't shave off full beards.
N95 masks don't
provide a safe seal for faces with beards.COVID-19 has thrown a unique challenge before bearded healthcare professionals across the world. Owing to their facial hair, they are unable to wear N95 masks (also called P2 masks) properly while performing emergency duties in hospitals.
Dr Gurdial Singh says the solution to this lies in a specialised personal protective equipment (PPE) called powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR), which is what you’d see welders wear, complete with a transparent helmet and an air tube affixed to the nose with a mask.
Dr Amandeep Singh Bamra, an anaesthetist in regional New South Wales’ Bowral and District Hospital says that thanks to the PAPR kit provided by his hospital, he is ready to treat COVID-19 patients if the need arises.
“It will be helpful for the community if bearded
healthcare workers can be provided PAPR. However, those who don’t get it, may
feel left out when they see others using it, and that can be a challenge for
any hospital administration. I feel supported by my hospital in that regard,”
says Dr Bamra.
Some healthcare workers with beards have been unable to perform emergency duties for this reason or have opted to buy their own PAPR so as to continue getting shifts in the emergency department.
“It is a peculiar situation. Sikhs can't shave off their
beards for religious reasons. Being put off the emergency roster can mean a
significant drop in income for healthcare professionals,” says Dr Pavitar
Sunner, a Sydney-based orthopaedic Sikh surgeon.
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