12 COVID19 suspected patients huddled in single ambulance for testing

In violation of protocol, the hospital authorities in southern Kashmir’s Shopian district Tuesday huddled 12 suspected coronavirus positive persons from two families in a single ambulance to take them for testing to GMC Anantnag hospital.

The doctors at the GMC Antnang initially turned them backsaying the patients from that area can’t be tested there. However, their sampleswere taken later in the day only after the intervention of districtadministration.

   

Among the 12 suspected cases, three were women and fourchildren. One family member from each family had flown in the same flight thathad on board the first COVID-19 positive patient of Kashmir, a lady fromSrinagar.

So far at least five persons from Shopian who had arrived inthe same flight from Saudi Arabia with that woman, according to doctors, havetested positive that too after completing the necessary quarantine period.

“We were bundled in one ambulance and then taken here fortesting. But the doctors there refused to take our samples,” said one of thefamily members.

He said the hospital authorities asked them to go to Pulwamadistrict hospital for testing. “We reached here in the morning and till 5 pmthe hospital authorities were yet to decide about our testing,” said anothermember.

A doctor wishing anonymity told Greater Kashmir that thiswas sheer negligence on the part of hospital authorities in Shopian. “Accordingto the set protocol, any suspect patient from Shopian has to be taken toPulwama district hospital for testing. Only suspects from Anantnag and Kulgamcan be tested in GMC Anantnag. But the hospital administration by packing themin a single ambulance and then sending them here has put to risk many lives,”he said.

“What if any of these persons tests positive for theinfection,” the doctor asked. “This is a violation of protocol and can veryeasily lead to the cross-infection”

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Ramesh refused to talk on theissue.

Deputy Chief Medical officer (CMO) Shopian, Dr Rubina saidshe would look into the issue of bundling all suspect patients in a singleambulance. However, she added the tests of these patients have been conductedafter the intervention of the district administration.

Principal GMC Anantnag Dr. Showkat Jeelani also confirmedthe tests of these suspected patients from Shopian were done after followingset procedures.

“The availability of testing kits might be the reason thatthe patients were not taken to the Pulwama hospital for testing,” he said.

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