Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Thursday convened a high-level meeting with senior health and other officials to review the preparedness for tackling the threat from coronavirus and containing its spread after a positive case surfaced in the district.
Director National Health Mission Bhupinder Kumar, DirectorHealth Services Kashmir Dr Sameer Mattoo, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr SamiaRasheed, Principal SKIMS Medical College Dr Riyaz Untoo and CMO Srinagar DrTalat Jabeen were all present in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the preparedness of the healthdepartment and the action plan it has devised to deal with this challenginghealth situation.
The main focus of discussions held during the meeting wasthe importance of well-managed quarantining – as per relevant global standardoperating procedure in the matter – in the district.
The meeting discussed the facilities – medical as well asgeneral – that need to be made available at quarantine facilities set up in thedistrict for shifting of suspected cases. Instructions were issued for immediateequipment of all quarantine centres with all facilities as identified duringthe meeting. It was informed that 20 quarantine facilities have beenestablished in the district for shifting of suspected cases of required.
Doctors present in the meeting all emphasised high state ofalert in all health institutions and amongst the general public as far asprecautions are concerned while stressing the importance of not panicking oroverreacting and dealing with the situation as per recommended guidelines andoperating procedures.
Health officials and others assigned to quarantinefacilities were sensitised about do’s and don’ts during the meeting. It wassaid that keeping a constant watch on cases and immediate reporting andshifting of those who might develop symptoms is of critical importance.
Director NHM Bhupinder Kumar while speaking on the occasionand emphasising the importance of adhering to all guidelines stressed thesignificance of understanding and remembering that those put in quarantine arenot positive cases having been put thereunder as a matter of caution addingthat over-reaction and over-caution in the matter can result in undue issues.
Other health officials and doctors present in the meetingalso spoke on the occasion highlighting the importance of proper sanitisationand disinfection measures in communities in general and quarantine facilitiesin particular.
It was suggested that social distancing andself-quarantining were the best in a situation like this. Residents were urgedto cooperate with the administration and be well-informed about all precautionsthat need following to prevent contraction and spread of the infection.
Joint Commissioner SMC, SP Hq. Srinagar, SP Traffic City,SEs R&B, PDD and PHE, ADC Srinagar, SDMs East and West, ACR Srinagar andall Tehsildars also attended the meeting.