IMA memo to CM recommends steps for combatting second wave
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 16 2021:
Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur State Branch has submitted a memorandum addressed to chief minister N Biren which contained various recommendations to help the government manage Covid-19 second wave in the state.
In the memorandum, IMA Manipur president Dr S Jugindra and secretary Dr Ngangom Arunkumar Singh emphasised on mandatory Covid-19 testing of all passengers on arrival at Imphal Airport and other entry points either by RAT/RT-PCR or rigorous checking of RT-PCR test results that the passengers produce on arrival by verifying the same with ICMR's SRF number.
A common SOP for admission and treatment of all Covid-19 patients for both private and government hospitals is a must to avoid any confusion in this difficult time.
This will help in rational admission, judicious treatment and optimising the limited resources, it said.
Conversions of some hotels into paid Covid Care centres for mildly symptomatic cases with good referral system with the higher Covid Centres may be considered in the interest of those who can afford such facility as this will reduce undue pressure for admission to Referral Covid Hospitals.
Strengthening of infrastructure of the peripheral health centres like CHCs and DHs to manage mildly symptomatic cases with a robust referral system linked to Referral Covid Hospitals will reduce the burden on Referral Covid Hospitals, it further proposed.
While stressing that civil bodies like local clubs and meira paibi may be involved in enforcing Covid Appropriate Behaviour among the general public, the IMA also recommended engagement of Junior Doctors and other healthcare workers for Covid duties on contractual basis but paid on par with their regular counterparts.
These frontline workers should also be given preference at the time of recruitment for regular post later.
Acknowledging their contribution in this way during this challenging time will boost their morale, the IMA statement added.
It is also pointed out that life insurance scheme for the Covid healthcare workers will help boost the morale of those risking their life fighting the pandemic.
Guidelines for Home Quarantine, Home Isolation and Community Home Isolation centres must be available readily to the public with strict monitoring, it added.
The IMA cautioned that all long duration indoor meetings should be discouraged in the present situation.
Backup workforce of healthcare workers need to be developed at the earliest since the present HCWs are likely to burn out soon due to the stress and infection, it informed further.
While stating that the state is gripped by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in an unprecedented manner, the president and secretary also suggested that the government of Manipur ensure adequate representation of the biggest association of doctors in the state in the State Consultative Committee on Covid-19 in the larger interest of the public.