Sumaya Jan
SRINAGAR, July 9(KINS): Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, authorities at Government Medical College Srinagar have designated several wards at SMHS Hospital for COVID-19 patients.
The step has been taken as various hospitals converted into COVID hospitals fall short to accommodate coronavirus patients in view of a surge in positive cases.
At least three hospitals, JVC Bemina, CD Hospital, JLNM Hospital have been converted into COVID hospitals. Besides, several wards at SKIMS Soura have also been designated for COVID-19 patients.
However, there has been a sudden rise in the coronavirus cases for the last few weeks and hospitals are not able to accommodate all these patients.
Taking note, Principal GMC Srinagar has designated several wards at SMHS Hospital for COVID-19 patients.
“In view of upsurge in the COVID-19 cases and to accommodate more COVID positive patients, ward No 01, 02, 03 and 04 in SMHS Hospital shall be designated for COVID patients in phased manners. Ward No 01 and 03 for COVID patients from Medicine and allied specialties where the duty roster of doctors and paramedical staff shall be maintained by the HOD Medicine and Medical Superintendent SMHS respectively. Ward No. 02 & 04 for COVID patients from surgery and allied specialties where the duty roster of doctors and paramedical staff shall be maintained by the HOD Surgery and Medical Superintendent SMHS respectively,” an order issued by GMC Srinagar reads, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
It says that patients requiring ventilator support shall be managed by the HOD Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.
“That the ENT surgeries shall be done in Trauma Theatre till further orders and OPDs’ shall be conducted in their designated OPD Brock in SMHS premises. Faculty members having their rooms adjacent to above designated wards shall be accommodated by the respective Departmental Heads suitably,” it reads.
It says that dermatology and ENT patients shall be shifted/ accommodated in Medicine and Surgery wards accordingly in consultation with respective HODs’.
“Isolation facility for COVID patients functional in Drug De-Addiction Centre SMHS hospital, COVID facility in disaster and paid rooms shall run as per routine. That in case the department of Medicine shall face dearth of beds while admitting patients, the department shall accommodate the patients in Ward-19 & 20 in coordination with HOD Surgery.”
That staff deployed in various areas of SMHS Hospital in view of COVID-19 shall not be displaced without the prior consent of HOD Medicine/ Surgery and MS SMHS, it says.
The MS SMHS Hospital has been directed to take all measures to avoid intermingling of COVID and non-Covid patients and their attendants.
At least 9261 positive cases have been reported in J&K till Wednesday of which 3545 are active positive, 5567 have recovered and 149 have died; 14 in Jammu division and 135 in Kashmir division.
Out of 421571 test results available, 412310 samples have been tested as negative till July 8, 2020. (KINS)
