Kin of +ve patients can’t enter ward, says GMCH

Chandigarh, May 5

Relatives of patients have been prohibited from entering the Covid ward at Government Medical and College Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.

Yashpal Garg, who is heading Covid management at the hospital, today issued orders in this regard as several visitors were pestering the hospital staff for letting them enter the ward.

All doctors were of a view that it would not be advisable to allow the relatives inside the Covid ward because it would be difficult to regulate them and even with precautions, the possibility of infection cannot be ruled out.

It has been decided that in exceptional cases (like in a case where a patient was blind), the Director or MS may give a written permission and in such an eventuality, all required precautions to be taken.

“Since, we are not allowing relatives/personal attendants in the Covid ward, there is need to properly brief our attendants about their duties and sensitise them to take good care of the patients,” read the official orders.

Presently, Covid patients are not allowed mobile phones inside the ward because previously, many of them tried to click photographs/videos and circulated the same against the wishes of the medical staff/other patients.

It has now been decided that no mobile phone will be allowed inside the ICU and the hospital will ensure interaction of patients with their family through specially procured tablets. Basic phones that are not smart may be allowed inside the ward with the condition that in case the patient creates nuisance with the mobile phone, the facility may be withdrawn. An extra attendant or safai karamchari will be provided in wards from 9 am to 5 pm to take care of the workload. — TNS