Pvt hospitals conduct mass testing for staff & patients
New Delhi: After cases of healthcare workers increased in the national Capital, including 33 at Max Hospital, private medical facilities have also geared up and are vigorously testing both the staff and the patients. Thousands of healthcare workers and patients admitted in the hospital are getting tested.
Private hospital Max witnessed cases both in Patpargunj and Saket facility, after which hospitals like Fortis and Apollo are conducting mass testing of their staff.
Speaking to Millennium Post, Dr. Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) said that strict guidelines and advisories shared by the health ministry are being followed.
"We are screening and testing all our employees regularly to ensure a safe environment in the hospital. So far, none of our employees have tested positive," she said. Fortis has branches all over Delhi-NCR, and has thousands of workers working for it. Speaking about the health care of the staff Garg said, "Social distancing is maintained at all levels. Every person entering in the hospital premises, patients, attendants and staff is being screened at the entry of the hospital. All the staff members in the hospital have been distributed face masks and hand sanitizer are installed in every corner of the hospital."
On the other hand, Apollo Hospital, which also has branches all across the city has started mass testing. The hospital has over 4000 staff of which designated staff has been assigned to Covid patients and wards, according to the official spokesperson at the hospital.
"Such staff are being rotated, quarantined and tested as per Government guidelines. Additionally any staff returning from leave is being tested as are those that exhibit any symptoms that would mandate testing," said the spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Max Healthcare has instituted mandatory covid 19 testing for all its over 24,000 staff and all patients admitted in its hospitals.
"This will lead to a greater number of covid 19 patients being identified, isolated and treated. We believe this is the best way to fight the pandemic," said a statement from the hospital. Across Max Healthcare close to 3,000 healthcare workers have been tested and where 2 percent have come positive.