the goan I network
MARGAO
Not a single coronavirus suspect is quarantined at the TB hospital atop Monte Hill, Margao, but a scare has hit the hospital, for a different reason.
Staff as well as patients in private say the quarantine ward ought to have been set up in an isolated place in the TB hospital premises, contending that location of the ward, close to the female ward of TB patients may pose a threat to the patients, including patients, who get admitted in the de-addiction centre, whose immunity levels are low.
Questions have been raised in certain quarters why the Health Services has not set up the isolated ward in the very same ward set up to house swine flu patients some years ago.
More over, it was pointed out that the proposed coronavirus isolated ward has no attached toilet and the patients will have to be moved out to use the toilet adjoining the ward. Sources pointed that a room adjoining the isolated ward is being presently used by the housekeeping staff, who may be put to risk with the coronavirus ward being set up next door.
Hospicio Medical Superintendent, Dr Ira Almeida, however, begged to differ and allayed all fears and apprehensions raised in certain quarters of the TB Hospital. “The hospital staff or the TB patients need not worry about the coronavirus ward. We have to all rise to the occasion. No one will be put to risk,” she added.
Dr Ira told The Goan at the TB hospital that the coronavirus isolated ward is some metres away from the TB female patient ward. She pointed out that if anyone has any fears on the ward, the Health Services will not mind blocking the way as well as the view of the ward from the TB patient ward.
As far as the room occupied by the housekeeping staff is concerned, Dr Ira said the room will be used for the team of doctors, who will be drafted to attend to the suspected patients. “I don’t think there’s any problem with the toilet block since it is located next door of the ward set up for the coronavirus patients,” she said.
Dr Ira is weighing various options at her disposal in utilising the space at the TB hospital to meet the requirements. “The present ward which is being renovated will house only four patients for the moment. Though we are supposed to set up a 10-bedded isolated ward, we have proposed to set up another ward for the female patients as a matter of abundant precaution,” she said.
In this respect, Dr Ira has plans to utilise the isolated ward, which was in the past set up for swine flu patients as well as the room which had once housed the mortuary. “Today we have brought a carpenter since the roof of the room which had housed the mortuary is in bad shape. Once repaired, one ward for coronavirus suspects can be set up there,” she said, while saying that the staff as
well as the patients housed in the TB hospital need not worry about the setting up of the isolated ward in the hospital.
