SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Thursday convened a high-level meeting with senior health and other officials to review the preparedness for tackling the threat from coronavirus and containing its spread after a positive case surfaced in the district.
Director National Health Mission Bhupinder Kumar, Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Sameer Mattoo, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Samia Rasheed, Principal SKIMS Medical College Dr Riyaz Untoo and CMO Srinagar Dr Talat Jabeen were all present in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the preparedness of the health department and the action plan it has devised to deal with this challenging health situation.
The main focus of discussions held during the meeting was the importance of well-managed quarantining – as per relevant global standard operating procedure in the matter – in the district.
The meeting discussed the facilities – medical as well as general – that need to be made available at quarantine facilities set up in the district for shifting of suspected cases. Instructions were issued for immediate equipment of all quarantine centres with all facilities as identified during the meeting. It was informed that 20 quarantine facilities have been established in the district for shifting of suspected cases of required.
Doctors present in the meeting all emphasised high state of alert in all health institutions and amongst the general public as far as precautions are concerned while stressing the importance of not panicking or overreacting and dealing with the situation as per recommended guidelines and operating procedures.
Health officials and others assigned to quarantine facilities were sensitised about do’s and don’ts during the meeting. It was said that keeping a constant watch on cases and immediate reporting and shifting of those who might develop symptoms is of critical importance.
Director NHM Bhupinder Kumar while speaking on the occasion and emphasising the importance of adhering to all guidelines stressed the significance of understanding and remembering that those put in quarantine are not positive cases having been put thereunder as a matter of caution adding that over-reaction and over-caution in the matter can result in undue issues.
Other health officials and doctors present in the meeting also spoke on the occasion highlighting the importance of proper sanitisation and disinfection measures in communities in general and quarantine facilities in particular.
It was suggested that social distancing and self-quarantining were the best in a situation like this. Residents were urged to cooperate with the administration and be well-informed about all precautions that need following to prevent contraction and spread of the infection.
Joint Commissioner SMC, SP Hq. Srinagar, SP Traffic City, SEs R&B, PDD and PHE, ADC Srinagar, SDMs East and West, ACR Srinagar and all Tehsildars also attended the meeting.
