As COVID-19 cases escalate in Barak Valley, SMCH explores possible areas for patient intake
Silchar, May 21: With COVID-19 cases rising in Barak Valley, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the solitary major government health institution catering to the COVID -19 treatment needs of 40 lakh people across southern Assam is exploring ways to increase the patient in-take capacity so that the afflicted patients do not remain sans treatment.
However , the escalation in the cases of COVID-19 has rung the alarm bell for the hospital authorities in terms of the available infrastructure and resources which, in the words of hospital sources, might reach a point of saturation soon. Credible sources at the hospital informed that for the past few days, at least 50 cases from across Barak Valley are getting admitted to the hospital stretching the number of admissions close to 300.The Surgery ward of the hospital can accommodate at least 120 beds. Work for additional 40-bedded ICU which would take the total strength of ICUs to 140 beds is being prioritised.
On Thursday, the hospital authorities carried out a recce of the Basic Sciences Building within the campus with the view to accommodate another 80 beds at least, should the number of COVID-19 cases rise further. The Deputy Commissioner is aware of the developments and steps are being taken to finish the task of civil construction for accomodation at the earliest, sources informed.
"The number of admission at the hospital is getting higher and hence people must report to the hospital with early symptoms. Late reporting of cases increases the possibility of fatalities and might choke the entire system," sources at SMCH maintained.
On the other hand, with at least 3-5 death cases reported for almost everyday in the past few days, SMCH sources informed that since January 2021, there have been 71 deaths so far, of which, four casualties were affirmed by the Death Audit Board to be COVID confirmed cases, while most other instances with co-morbidities had impressions of the virus.
In this backdrop, the members of the COVID death audit committee chaired by Cachar Deputy Commissioner had a meeting to review the situation.
Sources in Cachar District Administration informed that in certain cases it has been observed that people are afflicted with co-morbid factors. Therefore, the District Health Department has appealed before the people to use pulse oximeters to monitor their oxygen level and in circumstances when there is dip noticed in the oxygen level to below 94 SpO2, they should immediately report to hospital for getting proper treatment.
On Friday, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli urged the people saying "Please don't be complacent, people with co -morbidities should keep checking their oxygen levels even if they are asymptomatic."
It is also informed that tele-consultation facilities can also be used for getting immediate consultation and medical advice, but it is earnestly requested to visit hospitals in case of further deterioration or complications.
