Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Aug 19: Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital’s Gynaecology Department in Jammu might turn out to be another COVID-19 hotspot as in the last 10 days several doctors including paramedics have tested positive for COVID-19 with hospital administration least bothered about taking precautionary measures.
Hospital insiders told EXCELSIOR that despite a cap of 40 patients per day directed by the Government to be examined in the OPD, the hospital’s Gynaecology OPD is receiving around 100-150 patients per day.
The situation inside the labour room is also the same. At least 2 patients share one bed in the Labour Room, while in some cases there are 3 patients sharing one single bed.
Outside, the Labour Room, the situation remained equally messy due to the attendants who assemble there. The social distancing and the precautions go to toss due to the inactiveness of the administration in making sure that the SOPs are adhered to and rush of the attendants is regulated.
It has been learned that in the last 10 days, 3 PGs, one storekeeper, one Registrar, one nursing staff tested positive for COVID-19. Late last night, 4 family members of a COVID-19 positive doctor (a PG) also turned out to be positive including a six-month-old baby of her brother.
Early on Wednesday, one more patient tested positive on rapid testing in SMGS labour room including one senior consultant and another PG doctor in the Gynaecology Department.
What is more shocking-which the hospital insiders revealed to Excelsior-is that the same oxygen tubing is being used for multiple patients, which skyrockets the chances of spread of infection from one patient to another.
Further, it has also been learnt that non-emergency admissions are also carried out at the hospitals as the patients are being diverted regularly to the hospital by the private clinics.
With regard to protective equipment being provided to the doctors, it has been learned that such gears are provided after they demand; no sanitizers are being provided to them either.
What is more ironic is that the doctors are being provided with only 5 masks per month while they work all around and cannot get anything more than that.
With regard to the fumigation which ideally requires 10-12 hours, EXCELSIOR was told, is done there for half an hour, while as some rooms are fumigated with ‘Kaala Hit’.
Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital Dr Manoj Chalotra said that everything was being handled administratively with effectiveness.
He said that though, there is a cap on the patients to be examined at the OPD, but they cannot refuse to attend to the patients as the patient load has increased at the hospital amid COVID crisis.
“While everything is being managed well, we have patients coming all across the places in Jammu; though there is a cap, we cannot deny treatment to the patients who require it. With regarding the rest, particularly the maintenance of social distancing by the attendants, we will make sure that it is taken care of,” he said.
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