Amid pandemic COVID19 burdening the healthcare infrastructure, the official data has revealed that over 30 lakh patients have received treatment at OPDs and 71,282 surgeries both major and minor were conducted in Kashmir division since April.
According to data of directorate of health services Kashmir (DHSK), from April to August, the number of IPD patients was 11.15 lakh. In this period 71,282 surgeries were conducted, of which 6570 were major surgeries and 64712 were minor surgeries.
According to health department officials one of the major challenging parts for administration was to ensure hassle free operation of maternity services. Total deliveries during this period were 20364, of which 11615 were normal deliveries and 8748 were lower (uterine) segment Caesarean section (LSCS) surgeries. Apart from this, 9 lakh tests, 61 thousand USGS, 10 lakh x-rays and 55045 ECG were conducted.
Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Samir Mattoo while speaking to the Greater Kashmir said, “Due to tireless efforts of healthcare workers, we were able to ensure that non-COVID patients don’t suffer. Earlier after some hospitals were designated as the COVID hospitals, we realized that there is a need to ensure that our regular services are not hindered. Following which we opened non-COVID hospitals and streamlined the process to ensure all the health care facilities to non-COVID patients.”
“Only elective surgeries were halted for some time, which too have been resumed in all hospitals,” he said adding that “apart from this DHSK is working tirelessly for COVID patients as well.”
On being asked about the medical oxygen supply, he said, “We have finalized DPR for all the district hospitals and some sub-district hospitals which will get oxygen generation plants. Besides, the administration will establish a gas generation plant at Chanapora, the health department has also got World Bank funding which will increase the oxygen generation capacity by manifold.”
An order issued by DHSK said: “All chief medical officers, medical superintendents and block medical officers of Kashmir division shall ensure conducting of surgeries in all the non-covid hospitals of Kashmir division under their jurisdiction with immediate effect.
“All the standard operating procedures and protocols shall be adopted during the course of conducting surgeries or meeting emergencies of any nature in non-COVID hospitals.”