OPD to surgeries: Govt nods to resuming normal patient care in non-COVID hospitals

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to restart the non-COVID patient-care in different hospitals across the valley.

OPD services in almost all hospitals were suspended following the pandemic. All surgeries were also put on hold. Only non-COVID emergency cases are attended to.

Realizing the problem, the government has now decided to resume the functioning of all the non -COVID-19 hospitals.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole has directed all the Deputy Commissioners and Directorate of Health service to resume the functioning of the non- COVID-19 hospitals.

“All the non- COVID hospitals, Sub District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres shall function normally after following SOPs  and the public shall be informed through the available media  regarding the same” reads an order by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.

Divisional Commissioner also directed the private hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, and diagnostic centres in the valley to serve the people while following the necessary protocol.

Jammu and Kashmir administration has dedicated Chest Disease Hospital, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Soura, SKIMS hospital Bemina, JLNM hospital, GMC Baramulla, Pulwama, and Anantnag as COVID 19 hospitals.

Sources said the process of resuming non-COVID patient care has been kicked off with authorities exploring different options.  “After the order by the Divisional Commissioner, health services department, and respective Deputy Commissioners have made all arrangements for resuming health care facilities in their respective districts. People will be asked to wear masks and follow other protocols to avoid infections,” they said.

Director health services, Dr Sameer Mattoo told The Kashmir Monitor that they have identified the hospitals in every district, which will cater to healthcare beyond COVID-19.

“We made some arrangements to ensure everybody gets proper health care. Community Health Centres, Sub -District Hospital and Primary Health Centres will take care of the patients other than COVID -19,” he said.

Dr Mattoo said SDH Sopore and Pattan will take care of patients of Baramulla district. “Similarly people from Kupwara can visit SDH Handwara. In Srinagar Gousia hospital, Super Specialty hospital will function normally. SMHS, which has just one isolation ward, can also treat patients,” he said.

Director Health Services said these hospitals will start functioning very soon.