SILCHAR, April 20 - Following assurances from State Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma for resumption of general treatment facilities at the Silchar Medical College, now functioning as COVID-19 Hospital (SMCH) tentatively from April 25, authorities of the hospital have begun the restoration process.
Dr Bhaskar Gupta, vice principal of SMCH, on Monday, told mediapersons that keeping the services of COVID-19 treatment as it is, the general medical treatment would be started owing to the inconveniences faced by the people at large.
�Scenario regarding coronavirus cases has so far been brought under control in the region and the treatment facilities have also been streamlined. The COVID-19 ward shall remain as it is operating now. There are 100 beds ready to deal with any emergent situation. However, since general people are facing inconveniences in getting treatment, particularly regarding expenses as per government rates in the nursing homes, we are hopeful that Government will decide to open the hospital for the masses soon.�
Regarding present status of COVID-19 treatment, Dr Gupta informed that so far 1121 persons have been screened including six on Monday while 37 samples collected for the day taking the total sample tally to 699 till now. Results of some of the samples are yet to be obtained, Dr Gupta added.
It may be mentioned here that as a preparatory step, SMCH was converted into a COVID-19 hospital on March 30 this year and there were as many as three patients admitted as well. As per SMCH authorities, there is only one COVID-19 positive patient from Karimganj undergoing treatment, who is maintaining stable health now. While a COVID-19 positive patient from Hailakandi expired, another patient from Cachar was recently released after his recent reports had come negative, authorities maintained.