OPD services, elective surgeries put on hold in Kashmir, SKIMS starts tele consultation services

Srinagar: Amid upsurge in Covid-19 cases across Kashmir, the authorities have put Out Door Patient (OPD) services and elective surgeries on hold till further orders in all major health institutions across the Valley.
“Pursuant to the directions issued by the government (Ref Divisional Commissioner Kashmir under endorsement no. DDRK/Covid/2021-22/8854-8600 dated 13-01-2022), the SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina has been designated as dedicated covid-19 hospital in this hospital,” reads an order issued by Principal SKIMS Medical College.
“Accordingly, all the OPD services/ elective surgeries in the hospital are hereby being temporarily put on hold in the larger public interest till further orders,” the order reads.
An order issued by the Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura Dr Farooq Ahmed Jan read: “With regard to the directions received from office of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir vide No; DCCRK/COVID/2021-22/8554-8600 dated; 13-01-2022 and No: DCCRK/COVID/2021-22/8603-50 dated:- 13-01-2022 and in light of the decisions taken in advisory committee meeting of SKIMS held on 14-01-2022 it has been decided that SKIMS OPD tele consultation facilities have been made available for patients through landline numbers circulated in media and as per the roster copy attached from Monday to Saturday 10am to 4PM.”
“The doctors will be providing consultation on Phone and are free to call any patient for physical examination,” the order reads, adding that any consultation in OPD without prior appointment through tele consultation has been put on hold for the time being. Further it has also been decided that non-essential elective surgeries have been put on hold till further orders.
“Only Emergency, Semi Emergency and Cancer Surgeries or any surgery deemed essential by the treating teams are allowed. Routine admissions may be avoided as far as possible,” the order further states.
Furthermore (CAB) Covid Appropriate Behavior has to be strictly adhered to at SKIMS. “Security officials will ensure and enforce implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour,” the order adds. “”Sanitation Department will ensure disinfection of closed spaces which will be augmented by fogging of areas as per schedule and on need basis.”
An official said that after tele-consultation patients who need follow up check-ups can avail facilities, registration of selected Patients, Cash counter, Sample registration counter, Sample collection counter, Drug counter, Dressing facilities, Injection room, Minor O. T, X Ray facilities, Ultrasound facilities, HbA1C facilities and Laboratory investigation facilities etc.
He said that the public can avail tele-consultation for specialties which include general medicine, Rheumatology, general surgery, plasticsurgery, cardiology, Nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, Obs. & Gynae, Urology, Surgical Gastroenterology, Neonatology, medical oncology, Covid-19 consultation and radiation Oncology and tele consultation schedule has been issued as well.
“The decision to open tele-consultation services has been taken with a view to discourage patients with minor ailments from visiting the hospital and exposing themselves to COVID virus,” an official informed.
Similarly authorities at other hospitals have also put such facilities on hold as Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on Thursday had directed concerned authorities to put facilities of OPD services and selective surgeries on hold.