LG calls for three-tier COVID-care across J&K hospitals
Says underutilization of testing and vaccination capacity not acceptable
Anantnag: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday called for institutionalizing three-tier patient care by categorizing nurses in three modes and implementing the same in hospitals across the UT.
Elaborating on it, he said first category of nursing staff be assigned for registration and counseling of patients, second for timely medicines and injections, and third group for hourly monitoring of oxygen inflow to patients as per the requirements. This will ensure the best possible care for patients, said the LG.
According to an official press release, during his visit to Anantnag to review Covid containment and preventive measures in the district, Sinha directed the Principal GMC, Anantnag, and CMO to categorize the nurses into the above-mentioned modes to provide better care to the patients.
Taking a comprehensive review of testing and vaccination rate of the district, the LG called for scaling up of testing in micro-containment zones and areas with high positivity rate on priority to break the chain of infection transmission, and provide required care to Covid positive individuals.
“Underutilization of testing and vaccination capacity is not acceptable. Health department and district administration at all levels must work on a mission mode to ensure that testing and vaccination is being done at par with their available capacity to reduce the positivity rate,” the LG maintained.
Terming strong health-care system at grass root level as key to tackling the ongoing pandemic, Sinha asked the concerned officials to ensure linkages of Panchayat Covid-care centres with PHCs, besides availability of doctors for consultation.
Senior medical faculty, doctors and consultants must visit PHCs, CHCs and CCCs for proper monitoring of healthcare facilities, he added.
Stressing on the need to generate awareness among rural population about available healthcare facilities at Covid-care centres, the LG said that the information flow to the people must be a continuous process.
He also underlined the need to encourage people, especially those who test positive or have Covid symptoms to isolate themselves at CCCs for the safety of their family members, besides containing the impact of the virus.
The LG also asked the DCs and SPs to lead the containment activities in their respective districts and ensure effective implementation of containment measures and strict compliance of Covid protocols.
He also called for collaboration with PRIs, besides directing BDOs, Tehsildars and other government officials to ensure vaccination coverage as well as proper functioning of Covid-care centres in Panchayats.
Addressing the faculty at GMC Anantnag, LG encouraged them to continue working with the utmost dedication and zeal to effectively control the spread of coronavirus.
“The selfless determination of our medical fraternity to save lives makes them the greatest hero of our time,” the LG remarked.
Sinha also interacted with Dr. Owais H Dar, Consultant Radiologist at GMC Anantnag, who served the people through online and tele-consultations while he himself was in quarantine. Sinha also appreciated Shabina Kouser, an MPFHW, for her dedicated service, and asked the Health department and district administration to felicitate such “corona warriors” and acknowledge their contribution in the fight against the pandemic.
Earlier, the LG enquired about the Covid-care facilities at GMC Anantnag including availability of oxygen support beds, oxygen generation plants, regular rounds of HoDs and senior doctors in Covid wards, the functioning of life-saving equipment, availability of tele-medicine services, etc.
Dr. Shoukat Jeelani, Principal GMC, Anantnag informed the Lt Governor that the hospital is having the capacity of 120 Covid dedicated beds with 40 ICU beds.
Dr Piyush Singla, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, while giving the overview of the Covid containment measures in the district apprised that 77 percent of healthcare workers, and 61.78 percent of above 45 years age-group have been covered with first dose of vaccine and 2377 Covid kits have been distributed in the district.
The LG also inspected ‘Shifa’ multifacility/multipurpose mobile van which provide on-spot facilities viz RAT testing, vaccination and distribution of masks and hand sanitisers to the general public, especially in the rural and far-flung area.
