No treatment for COVID-19 patients at NBMCH, 2 other hospitals requisitioned
Darjeeling: COVID-19 positive cases will not be treated at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) from Friday. This was decided in a meeting between the district administration and members of the state government's health expert committee in Siliguri.
Dr Abhijit Chowdhury and Dr Gopal Krishna Dhali, members of the health expert committee, arrived at Siliguri on Thursday to take stock of the situation in North Bengal. After visiting NBMCH, the doctors held a meeting with representatives of the district administrations of different districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong at Uttarkanya, the mini state secretariat in North Bengal.
"We have decided that NBMCH will no longer be used to treat COVID-19 positive patients from Friday," stated Dr Chowdhury, talking to media persons after the meeting. Two private nursing homes including Medica North Bengal Clinic and Dr Chang's Nursing Home have been requisitioned by the government for this.
Henceforth, a patient with symptoms such as fever, cough, cold and respiratory problems (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) from in and around Siliguri, Darjeeling and Kalimpong can first consult a doctor at the fever clinic at NBMCH or any private clinic. If the doctor feels that COVID-19 screening is required then the patient will be sent to Medica North Bengal Clinic at Pradhan Nagar, Siliguri. "A committee has been set up in NBMCH and a group opened on social media. This committee will decide which patient requires screening," stated Dr Chowdhury.
Swab sample of the patient will then be sent from the clinic to the lab at NBMCH. If tested positive, the patient will be admitted at Dr Chang's Nursing Home at Matigarah for treatment of COVID-19.
If the test comes out negative, the patient can get treatment from NBMCH or any other private facility. Similar models will be followed in other districts of North Bengal.
Earlier during the day, the doctors visited NBMCH and held discussions with the authorities. "As per direction of the Chief Minister, Dr Dhali will be stationed in Siliguri for the next two weeks and coordinate with all the 8 districts of North Bengal," added Dr Chowdhury.
"60 dedicated COVID-19 treatment centres have been opened up throughout the state. Each has been given 4 ventilators, 2 dialysis units and ample oxymeters," said Dr Chowdhury.
"There were allegations that non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 cases were being treated together at the ICU in NBMCH. We can assure you that no such thing has happened," he added. NBMCH has recorded two COVID-19 deaths till date.
