Valley doctors just a call away in times of coronavirus

Srinagar: Doctors are attending to patients on phone to avoid the huge rush in the Out Patient Department (OPDs) of the hospitals given the coronavirus threat in the valley.

With coronavirus scare gripping the valley, the huge inflow of patients in the outpatient departments is giving sleepless nights to the doctors and administration. Add to it, health care professionals and doctors bear the disproportionate risk of contracting the infection.

Particularly the pregnant women visiting the LD Hospital are at a high risk of transmitting contagious illnesses.

However, to keep the virus at bay, the doctors are just one phone call away from the patients who need medical advice for minor ailments.

“The doctor will prescribe medicine and treat patients via phone. This will avoid unnecessary travel of patients to the hospitals and help us in containing the virus in time,” a senior medico at SMHS Hospital said.

He noted that unless there is an emergency, patients should not come to the hospital.

President Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK), Dr Suhail Naik posted on Facebook the phone numbers on which patients can reach out to doctors. “I request parents/people to call me or WhatsApp on 9796337171,” he said

Dr Shahnawaz Mir of SMHS Hospital also took to Facebook advising people to stay home and contact the doctors over the phone. “Stay home, stay safe. My private OPDs stand canceled. In case of an emergency, contact me on 9070888000,” he said

Similarly, Dr Irfan Gul, Government Medical College, Anantnag also took to Facebook to convey his message. “In case of medical emergency call on 7889927958,” he said.

Another doctor Irfan Ul Shamas said that” In these tough times, I am sharing this whatsapp number of mine for any patient who needs ENT advice. Kindly abstain from coming to hospitals call on this no 9796957866.”