NEW DELHI: Non-emergency operations take a backseat as corona alarm spreads
Safdarjung hospital is one of India’s largest public hospitals.
All routine or non-emergency surgeries scheduled to take place at Safadrjung hospital and a Delhi government-run Guru Nanak Eye Centre from Thursday onwards have been cancelled in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.
A senior doctor at Safdarjung hospital, said “We had eight patients lined up for kidney transplant of which two are admitted in the hospital. They will be asked to wait until the Covid-19 situation improves,” . He further added that postponing of routine surgeries is needed to engage the manpower and resources for treating Covid-19 cases.
AIIMS also conducted a meeting with the heads of various departments to discuss whether routine surgeries and OPD consultations should be curtailed to engage the manpower and resources for treating Covid-19 cases. As of now, the hospital has not decided to take any of the two measures. However, the hospital has issued orders to the officer-in-charge of computer facility to send out advisory to OPD patients on their registered cellphone numbers through SMS requesting to postpone their appointment if it is not urgent in nature.
According to sources, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor is holding a meeting on Thursday where the issue of restricting OPD services and non-emergency surgeries at state-run hospitals will be discussed.
Private hospitals are already witnessing significant dip in footfall for OPD consultation and many routine surgeries are being cancelled.
