Health Deptt ill-prepared to meet any exigency
* Docs, health workers not getting masks, sanitizers
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 21: Three fresh cases of Coronavirus were reported today from Ladakh, taking total in the Union Territory to 13 while no case was reported on third consecutive day from J&K UT but health authorities in Jammu seem to be ill prepared to meet any probable public health crisis due to the dreaded virus as they lack proper isolation wards.
Commissioner Secretary (Health), Ladakh UT, Rigzin Samphel told reporters that three more persons have tested positive for COVID-19. Out of three fresh cases, two are from Leh and one from Kargil, he said, adding, they received reports of total 35 samples from Delhi, out of which 32 were negative.
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“Nine reports were from Kargil, with one positive and eight negative, while 26 were of Leh district, with two positive and 24 negative,” Samphel said. He disclosed that infected persons are relatives of the earlier positive cases and were under quarantine but now they have been kept in isolation wards.
He further informed that three patients, who were quarantined after their tests were found positive, are showing signs of recovery as latest tests have come out negative for the infection. Fresh tests are being conducted for verification as per protocol, he added.
Sampheal said that as on date about 1720 persons are under surveillance, 223 are under home quarantine and 92 are under hospital quarantine while 154 persons have completed 14-day quarantine period.
He said that 114 Brigade Adm Commandant has put a thermal scanner at Changla top for screening of all people crossing Changla while disinfection campaign/fumigation is being done in all health premises.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of J&K Government said that till date 213 samples have been tested out of which 4 were positive, 205 negative and reports of 4 were awaited. He further informed that 3611 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance while 2557 are in home quarantine, 50 under hospital quarantine and 584 under home surveillance. 420 people have completed their 28-day surveillance period, he added.
He appealed to all the travelers, who arrived from COVID-19 affected countries/areas and have not declared their travel history yet, to report to local health authorities/COVID helpline numbers 0191-2549676/0194-2440283/0194-2430581 and undergo self-imposed home quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival.
In the meantime, authorities in Kathua district have ordered closure of all modes of mass public transport with immediate effect but exempted autorickshaws and taxis on the condition of maintaining social distancing between co-passengers and driver.
Authorities in Samba and Doda districts has also ordered closure of all shops/markets/business establishments except medical stores, doctor clinics, petrol pumps, animal fodder shops, LPG agencies, and shops of grocery, fruits, vegetables and other essential commodities till March 31.
In view of several upcoming religious festivals like Navratras, Amavasya, Shab-i-Miraj, etc, District Samba authorities have ordered closure of public transport mainly from routes of Purmandal/Utter Behani from March 23-25 to avoid gathering of crowd. Public transporters on other routes were also asked not to carry pilgrims to any religious places in the district to prevent spread of Coronavirus.
While shops/markets are already closed in Reasi district, the district administration today imposed curb on assembly of worshippers/pilgrims/devotees in all religious places till further orders. Public parks, playgrounds and General Zorawar Singh Stadium of the district were also closed for further orders.
Meanwhile, due to suspension of public transport and markets, Jammu City of the Union Territory of J&K wore completely deserted look. People mostly preferred to remain indoor on the advice of the administration. Though grocery shops and shops of other essential items including medicines were exempted from closure order but many closed their shops voluntarily in view of Coronavirus scare as out of 4 positive cases of COVID-19 which have been reported in J&K UT, three belonged to Jammu.
Though no fresh case of Coronavirus was reported from Jammu in last three days but questions have started rising on preparations of health authorities of Jammu, which don’t exist anywhere in terms of health infrastructure, manpower and equipment.
Official sources told Excelsior that if Italy and China like crisis arises here in Jammu, they do not have enough Isolation Wards in Jammu province. “In the name of Isolation Ward, we have only few beds in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu and out of them only 9 beds are equipped with ventilators while rest are without any equipment,” they added.
A senior officer of Health and Medical Education Department on the condition of anonymity told Excelsior that for Coronavirus patients, there were only three Isolation Wards—one each in GMCH Jammu, GMCH Kathua and GMCH Doda. He added that Isolation Wards of GMCH Kathua and GMCH Doda each have 4 ventilators while 33-bedded Isolation Ward of GMCH Jammu has only nine ventilators.
He further disclosed that none of these three Isolation Wards are as per guidelines issued on Coronavirus. “The Isolation Ward for Coronavirus patients should have separate chambers for separate patients with separate entry and negative pressure should be maintained therein,” he said but regretted that none of the three Isolation Wards fulfill these requirements.
The official emphasized that there is dire need to establish more isolation wards in scientific way and increase bed strength and also identify more locations for quarantine purpose to handle any public health crisis erupting out of Novel Coronavirus, which at present they are lacking.
Sources further informed that some isolation wards have also been established in District Hospitals with bed strength of 8-10 but even a single bed in these isolation wards is not equipped with ventilators. They further revealed that the special OPDs for patients with respiratory problems and Coronavirus like symptoms are just on papers but on the ground no such OPD is functional in District Hospitals. However, GMCH Jammu and SMGS Hospital are running these OPDs, they added.
They further said that doctors and health workers on clinical duties are barely getting masks and sanitizers. “Sometimes authorities provide (masks and sanitizers) and sometimes not due to which doctors have become more prone to this dreaded virus,” sources said, adding, an infected doctor can infect hundred others as he has to come in contact with several people in OPDs.
Another doctor of a District Hospital in Jammu province said around 10 days back, province the Health Ministry had provided Rs 20,000 for each Government hospital to purchase masks and sanitizers on emergency basis but administration of the hospitals did not make purchase due to fear of audit as rates of masks and sanitizers have increased manifold in the market.
“There are about one lakh ventilators in Government hospitals of our country and 90% of these are being used by accident victims and people suffering with other serious ailments. In such a situation if any health crisis arises due to Coronavirus, what we will do,”? he asked.
He said the administration should open their eyes and take effective steps to raise needed health infrastructure and provide protective gears to the health workers, realizing the gravity of the situation so that they can effectively fight against any public health crisis.
When contacted Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo did not respond but Principal, GMCH Jammu, Dr Sunanda Raina said that they are increasing strength of ventilators from 9 to 24 in Isolation Ward of the Hospital and the process of installation is underway.
To a question regarding shortcomings of the Isolation Ward, she also said that the Isolation ward of the Institution has been established as per the DPR prepared by their technical team.
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