Suspension of OPDs 2 weeks on, J&K seeks alternative; ‘refer to Punjab,’ doctors criticise

AVINAV VERMA. Updated: 4/7/2020 11:17:05 AM Front Page

JAMMU: With each passing day, the situation on the ground is turning worse for the patients suffering from serious health aliments like cancer and kidney diseases, who are not getting proper medical treatment due to suspension of Out Patient Department (OPD) and other regular activities in government associated hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir, now dedicated to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The voices are growing shriller among the patients, their families, and now even doctors’ fraternity, who suggested that union territory administration take a leaf out of Punjab government’s book, which has asked health authorities to make health institution functional for all the patients, terming the health and medical services as essential.
In the backdrop of coronavirus breakout in Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities had decided on March 24 to suspend all the regular activities like OPD and regular medical tests in government associated hospitals, while there were no such directions from union government.
The partial functioning of private clinics also added to miseries to the problems of these patients.
Ironically, the administration has failed to find equivalent or temporary system to provide medical treatment to these patients, even after two weeks.
On Monday while Srinagar administration said that it would set up fever clinics at different locations in pre-fab structures with availability of four doctors, the Jammu administration has not initiated any measures for wellbeing of these patients.
“Right now, we are suffering from the serious COVID-19 pandemic, these measures are mandatory to stop more spread of this deadly virus. If the OPDs are made functional, the most crucial measure to combat the spread of deadly virus will be violated,” a health official said, wishing anonymity.
“To combat the spread of coronavirus, we are functioning on the rotation basis and to treat patients especially treating emergency cases,” a doctor available in the private clinic told The News Now.
“We are only treating emergency cases of patients in SMGSH while the general medical tests are halted due the current circumstances,” Medical Superintendent, SMGSH Manoj Chalotra said.
“The OPD is closed since last many days and medical tests are halted due to serious crisis erupted due to COVID-19. However, the GMC&H is treating emergency cases,” Medical Superintendent GMC&H, Dara Singh said.
He added, “The Health and Medical Education Department has constituted a team of doctors for online consultation, if the people have any serious, they can consult these teams.”
“Although government claims to supply medicines on chemist shops but we are running short of medicine. The measures are not adequate for the regular patients,” a 70-year -old person, who is suffering from kidney problem, said.
He added that the online team constituted by health department is not responding well to the patients.
The doctors’ fraternity has also hit out at the government’s decision, calling it ‘senseless’.
“We obviously cannot lodge our protest publicly, thanks to a slew warnings issued to us. But this is senseless to say the least,” a doctor in GMCH Jammu said.
“The administration should take a leaf out of Punjab government’s book, which has asked health authorities to make health institution functional for all the patients, terming the health and medical services as essential,” the doctor added.
Sensing the gravity of problems being faced by regular patients, the Punjab government has pulled up the state health authorities for closing OPDs despite health institutions both private and government exempted from any restrictions.
“The OPDs are essential not only for patients suffering from various ailments but they would also help us in capturing suspected cases of Corona Virus. Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioners are requested to hold meetings with Civil Surgeons, IMA and others and ensure that OPDs in all the hospitals in both the cities and rural areas including AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries are functional,” reads an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Home of Punjab government.


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