Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 31: The SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina, Srinagar is ready to take COVID-19 patients from tomorrow. It would be the biggest COVID-19 hospital in Kashmir valley which can receive patients from any hospital.
The Principal of SKIMS Medical College Bemina, Dr Riyaz Untoo, told Excelsior that the hospital which is normally 250 bedded will be 174 bedded exclusive COVID-19 hospital. He said that the bed strength got reduced as proper distance has be maintained between the beds as per the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol. The hospital has 4 beds with ventilators, 20 beds with high dependency units and 150 isolation beds.
The hospital has closed all its operations and it will be referral hospital to take COVID-19 patients from other hospitals of Kashmir valley. Dr Untoo said that only positive patients from other hospitals will be treated here.
“People are advised not to come to the hospital with any coronavirus symptoms as it is not a COVID-19 clinic. It will receive only positive patients from other hospitals for treatment”, he said.
The Principal said that hospital will receive patients from other hospitals in ambulances and they will be received in the emergency of the hospital by Rapid Response Team which has been formed. “All the formalities will be done by the hospital staff. The admissions, food, drugs, medicines and other facilities will be provided by the hospital”, he said.
He said that mock drill has been already conducted and hospital is ready and will take patients tomorrow. He said that they were lacking the protective gear and masks but they have received around 400 protective gears and masks today.
He said that the District Administration, the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited and National Health Mission will supply 200 protective gears and masks on daily basis so that there is no shortages of the gear and masks.
The Principal said that hospital has required staff for dealing with the patients. “The staff will be deployed as per requirement as we don’t want to overburden them at this juncture. We have to protect the staff as well as we don’t know how long it will take. The roasters will be changed after every 2-3 days as per the requirements”, he added.
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