‘We are tracing, testing, tracking and treating’
Srinagar 15 April (KNB): Senior Paediatrician and president, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK), Dr Suhail Naik on Wednesday said that rural healthcare system fanning across Jammu and Kashmir would be able to deliver successfully and can manage up to 80 per cent Covid-19 cases.
“Various government initiatives and the successful implementation policies by the Health Services gives us confidence that we can handle majority of cases in Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Naik said. “Today DH Pulwamma managed and discharged two Covid-19 +ve cases after testing negative; it is a first district hospital in Jammu and Kashmir. Rural health care response to (COVID-19) is commendable. We are tracing, testing, tracking and treating.”
He said that Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) was taking several measures and all the district hospitals across valley were collecting samples of suspected cases as a part of aggressive sampling. “Despite many shortcomings, doctors, paramedics are doing remarkable job in managing the current healthcare crisis,” he said.
He said that DAK has demanded to convert all hospitals in north and south Kashmir as COVID-19 hospitals in view a spike in the number of cases in the valley. DAK also appealed the administration to designate hotels in districts as hostel facility for medical staff with all facilities saying it was risky for medical staff to go home.
“I have been saying that around 85% of Covid-19 positive cases didn’t have severe illness and can be managed at rural health care setup,” he said. “It is quite apparent that the spectrum of illness does not demand that all cases to be rushed into COVID-19 hospitals designated at Srinagar and this is invariably going to overburden central health infrastructure,” he said, advising people to follow health advisories in letter and spirit.
It may be recalled here that DAK has also emphasised protection of medical personnel on priority with no compromise made on protocols. “There should be uninterrupted distribution and supply of N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontline health workers,” Dr Naik said.
Besides, pandemic solutions are required for the entire population, not only for hospitals, he said adding that such an approach would limit the burden on central hospitals thereby decreasing workload on health care workers, and minimizing consumption of protective equipment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Medical Superintendent and former President, DAK, Dr Mir Mushatq said that said combating Covid-19 pandemic demands “decentralization of health services as well as up-gradation of tertiary care simultaneously”. He called for massive outreach efforts to avert a disaster. “I am elated that today we discharged two of our COVID-19 positive cases after they repeatedly tested negative,” he said. “The patients are doing well,” he added.(KNB)
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