Kathmandu, Aug. 26 -- Dipendra Pandey, a doctor at the National Trauma Center in Kathmandu, has been using the same disposable mask for over a week.

His hospital does not give him masks every day while he attends to patients.

"I know that disposable masks cannot be reused or used even after washing, but I have no choice," Pandey told the Post. "I had asked the hospital administration yesterday for masks, but they say they do not have any in stock."

Like at the Trauma Center, health workers serving in most hospitals-private, community and state-run-have said they are compelled to reuse disposable masks, face shields and other protective gear as they have not been provided sufficiently.

Some doctors are requesting medical representative...