Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 18: The Society of Consultant Doctors, J&K today recommended that the general OPDs as well as the elective procedures at the hospitals should be stopped in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
For the next eight weeks, JKSCD recommends that all elective hospital work including general OPDs be stopped and only round the clock emergency medical and surgical care be provided, a statement issued here reads.
President JKSCD, Dr Maajed Jehangeer said that guided by the unexpected trajectory of cases in some countries recently, the JK Society of Consultant Doctors is of the strong opinion that our health care infrastructure and resources, particularly as it relates to the care of the most critically ill patients, are likely to be strained over the coming weeks.
As per ACS guidelines, we strongly recommend to postpone, cancel or, at the very least minimise electively scheduled operations, endoscopies or other invasive procedures, they said.
“We appreciate Government initiatives to help stop the spread of this contagion and are particularly satisfied over the mass public health awareness messages conveyed and measures implemented at the grassroots level,” he said.
He said that more needs to be done and complacency at this hour can be a critical mistake. JKSCD holds the view that at this crucial juncture, “it is appropriate to be forward thinking regarding those patients who will, nevertheless, become infected since our resources to deal with this pandemic are very limited.”
“We advise making revised duty roasters for healthcare providers so that all medical professionals are not present in the hospital at all times as this can unnecessarily increase their risk of exposure and they may unwittingly become vectors and victims of this disease.”
JKSCD has scientific reason to believe that there may be patients who are, nevertheless shedding virus and exposing other inpatients, outpatients and health care providers to the risk of contracting COVID 19.
JKSCD further added that personal protection equipment, masks, gowns, sanitizers should be made available for hospital staff on job and same should be used judiciously to avoid an impending catastrophic situation in our health care system.
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