Demands personal protective equipment

SRINAGAR: In view of the COVID-19 fear, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday met Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr Sameer Matoo and discussed measures put in place to contain the coronavirus that has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The statement said, “A delegation of doctors headed by president Doctors Association Kashmir, Dr Suhail Naik met the director. Dr Owais H Dar, Dr Mir Mushtaq, Dr Masood Rashid, Dr ArshidTrag and Dr Yousuf Tak were also in the meeting.”
A spokesperson of DAK said Covid-19 impending threat was discussed with both physical and psychological preparedness of health sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
DAK welcomed the move of DHSK for ordering the health administration to separate respiratory tract OPDs from rest of other ailments.
DAK said the patient must get separate OPD ticket with color coding for patients having cough, cold, and fever to segregate them from other patients suffering other communicable and non-communicable diseases.
DAK assured the director that various teams of DAK across districts are closely monitoring the emerging situation and its members are ready to deal with any eventuality.
The doctors’ body advised people to stay one meter away from any person having cough, cold and fever and don’t shake hands with each other as a precautionary measure.
“But it is bizarre that when children suffering from different respiratory ailments like bronchiolitis, wheeze are advised to go for nebulization, they are using common nebulizers without changing its tubing and mask,” DAK said.
“Subsequently a child suffering from respiratory syncytial virus is co infected with influenza virus and vice versa,” DAK said.
“Nebulisers contaminated with microorganisms are potential reservoirs delivering serious pathogens to the lung and is a potential concern when there is looming threat of Covid-19,” it said.
The DAK appealed the government to make available adequate number of N-95 masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the medical and other associated staff.
The DAK appealed the government to arrange nebulizers corners at every hospital with disposable masks and tubing facility.

KR Desk