Coronavirus: DAK appeals people to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals
Srinagar, 17 March 2020: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday appealed people to limit their visits to hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir to prevent and curtail transmission of the Covid-19—that has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In a statement, President DAK, Dr Suhail Naik said hospitals remain abuzz with hundreds of patients and their attendants and people at large should limit visiting hospital unnecessarily to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.
“We know this may cause challenges particularly for families having patients in hospitals, but we can collectively all play a role in curtailing the spread of this virus,” Dr Naik said.
He said that people should cooperate with medicos to safeguard the lives of patients.
“It is a fact that our hospitals are epicenter of communicable diseases. Therefore it is advised to visit hospitals only in extenuating circumstances,” Dr Naik appealed people.
Dr Owais H Dar, General Secretary DAK, said they appreciate the steps taken by the government like closure of educational institutions and other public places saying more needs to be done as a part of precautionary measure to contain the virus.
“We request people that Keeping in view of all the fragilities and weakness in consideration it is very much imperative on every citizens to accompany just one “healthy” visitor along with desired sick patient. Don’t come to hospitals for deworming, appetite and tonics,” he said.
Dar asked people not to bring children unnecessarily to hospitals. He said countries like Italy, China, Iran, Kuwait and few other countries have already closed their OPDs for routine ailments.
Dar requested the people to visit Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and nearby health facilities for minor ailments and avoid district and tertiary care hospitals.
“It is our duty and we had been there to serve the public in natural disasters like floods or earthquake. We are ready to deal with the present situation and fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” DAK said.
The doctor’s body has also appealed the government to take extra measures as the coronavirus positive cases are going up in Jammu and Kashmir.
