Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): In a significant development, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, PK Pole today directed the private hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics and private diagnostic centers in the Valley to resume operations to serve the poor and needy amid the Covid-19 pandemic but follow necessary protocol.
He stressed that patients should be advised to wear masks and maintain distance at these places.
The Divisional Commissioner stated this while chairing a meeting of representatives of private hospitals, nursing homes and private clinics here.
Talking to NVI, Divisional Commissioner said that he gave a patient hearing to the representatives of private hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centers of Kashmir valley, who had their genuine concerns.
“I have directed them to resume the operations while following proper protocol to serve the humanity in times of Covid-19 crisis,” he said. “I told them that all the operations should be carried in the interest of poor and needy people while as proper social distancing and all preventive measures should be followed,” he added.
The private health sector in Kashmir has been catering to the needs of lakhs of people but since March 18, only emergency cases were being entertained, due to the fast-spreading pandemic.
Also present in the meeting, President, Private Diagnostic Centers Association Kashmir (PDCA), Umar Dhar said that they assured the Divisional Commissioner that all the private clinics and private testing labs in the Valley will follow proper protocol while carrying out the tests.
Dhar said that the Divisional Commissioner laid emphasis on maintaining social distancing, saying that pregnant ladies, patients with fatal diseases like cancer, kidney failure and diabetes, and who are in desperate need of treatment/tests, should be given first preference at all private health institutions.
J&K government has closed the Out Patient Department (OPDs) in all major hospitals of Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Divisional Commissioner told us that social distancing should be followed in spirit at private clinics and doctors at their private clinics should ensure that there is no jumbling. He stated that there should be no rush at the private clinics of doctors and all those present at these clinics should wear masks,” Dhar said.
Sources privy to the meeting told NVI that the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir stressed that there should be no violation of the protocol and guidelines already in public domain for preventing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. “He warned that if any private clinic, hospital or diagnostic center violates the protocol, the government won’t hesitate in taking actions,” sources said.
They said that representatives of private hospitals and nursing homes assured the Divisional Commissioner that protocol will be followed in spirit.
