AIIMS suspends OPD, private hospitals yet to announce stand
New Delhi: As Coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country, the Outpatient Department (OPD) services in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and all centres were closed down on Monday till further orders. Gangaram hospital has also closed OPD and has made an isolation ward of 12 beds. Meanwhile, private hospitals have yet to announce their move as many of them claimed to wait for the government's order.
Till Monday, there was no facility of COVID 19 tests and the decision to this effect will be taken by their management.
"In continuation with earlier circular of even number dated 21.03.2020 regarding temporary stoppage of routine walk in OPD patient's registration in AIIMS, it has now been decided that all OPD services (including speciality services) inter-alia all new as well as all follow-up patient's registration in AIIMS Hospital and all centres as all remain closed w.e.f. 24.03.2020 (Tuesday) till further orders," read a circular by AIIMS New Delhi.
Officials from Max Hospital Delhi said their OPD is functional but at a very conservative level in all the branches. There are no isolation wards as of now. According to the authorities of Paras Hospital in Gurugram, since the coming few weeks are crucial, they have undertaken many proactive measures to ensure health and quality services to their patients.
"We have formed a medical committee of Pulmonologist, Emergency doctor, Intensivist and Microbiologist to guide us with standard operating processes to evaluate coronavirus suspected patients. We are rigorously retraining our staff on infection control practices," said, Dr. Sameer Kulkarni, Facility Director, Paras Hospital Gurugram.
He further said," Keeping the ongoing scenario of social distancing in mind, we are accommodating the requests of patients to postpone their surgeries and have chalked out future dates as well."
Dr Ali Ahmad, Facility Director, Motherhood Hospital, Noida said that "We have cancelled regular OPDs and are only taking emergency cases. We have limited the entry of family members in the hospital. We have shut down the other entrance of the hospital."
Meanwhile Dr Chetna Jain from Miracles Mediclinic & Apollo Cradle Hospital, Gurugram said that the medical OPD has been closed for now and we are taking consultations online or through telephone.
