Srinagar: Scores of patients with COVID-19 symptoms are waiting at JLNM Hospital Rainawari from past three days and yet their samples have not been taken.
“We have been huddled into a ward while no doctor is present here. There are three policemen and two peons. Who will collect our samples, we don’t know,” they said.
A patient with COVID-19 symptoms from Srinagar who is in quarantine at Rainawari Hospital told over phone that he was in contact with a friend whose test was found positive. “I arrived in the hospital yesterday and its Saturday evening, and no samples were collected. We are over dozen suspects here and what if someone among us is infected with this virus,” he questioned.
He went on saying that he is mulling to fled from the hospital and he should not be blamed for the consequences. What if I leave the hospital and mingle with people. It is frustrating to be here, huddled with other patients with COVID-19 symptoms, he said.
Another patient with COVID-19 symptoms said that rotten bread was served to them this morning. “The doctors treat us as untouchables. What is our fault,” he said and sought intervention of higher authorities.
I called a top brass narrating my plight and he assured that samples of all patients with COVID-19 symptoms will be taken, but after his lip service, he never picked up the phone.
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms have been quarantined in three wards of the hospital. In one ward there are 14 patient with COVID-19 symptoms, all are visibly frustrated and waiting for the response from the doctors.
Pertinently, Directorate of Health Services Kashmir terminated a doctor and suspended another for not attending duties. Doctors allege there is no protective equipment available in the hospital, a claim already refuted by Director Health Health Services, Kashmir.
Meanwhile, SKIMS Soura has identified two strong COVID-19 cases including a theater nurse and her husband, who according to reports returned to Valley after performing Umrah.
Nodal Officer for coronavirus at SKIMS Soura, Dr Ghulam Hasan Itoo told that the samples of these cases will be taken tomorrow and so for they are under observation. (KNT)
