Singapore, with a population of 55 lakh, has 57000 cases of Covid infections to date with just 27 deaths. Goa, with a population of just 15 lakh, has 31,000 cases and 386 deaths.
Something is definitely wrong. Till September, it was the Goa govt doctors handling the infected. They started learning from scratch. In September, private hospitals started caring for patients. They too are learning afresh. Should not they be trained by the Govt doctors first rather than go the same hills and valleys undertaken by the former?
The www.europeanlung.org site shows great strides in their approach to the problem. For instance, they have a factsheet which is provided to all patients telling them exactly what they will face when admitted to their care.
The preamble to the leaflet states, 'COVID-19 can cause minor to serious illness. You have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19 so that we can monitor your breathing. Your breathing may need to be supported with oxygen and sometimes with a ventilator (artificial breathing). We also want to help with any symptoms you may have. This leaflet will explain what treatment you may receive, and what support will be available.’
Doctors here need to move out if their objective is to save lives.
R FERNANDES, Margao
