Only symptomatic cases in STNM hospital, asymptomatic patients to be kept in respective areas

PANKAJ DHUNGEL
GANGTOK: Following a surge in Covid positive cases in Sikkim with over 100 cases in the last three days, State Health department has opted to bring in only symptomatic cases to STNM hospital, Gangtok.
Asymptomatic cases, as in Rongli and Rhenock will be kept in isolation at Chujachen Senior Secondary School and Rhenock Senior Secondary School’s girls hostel, with similar procedure to follow for other positive cases that are asymptomatic.
Addressing a media gathering at Tashiling Secretariat on Saturday, Health director general-cum-secretary Dr. Pempa Tshering Bhutia stated that the authorities have reached an understanding with the local panchayats to identify these two centres for isolation and also to avoid further transmission in other parts of the State.
Dr. Bhutia added that the decision was taken keeping in mind that per week, 50 health workers are exposed to Covid-positive patients. "If we keep running with such a high number of health workers for asymptomatic patients, we may run short of manpower when there are symptomatic cases. Asymptomatic cases are ideally kept under observation needing no treatment; they are best suited in isolation,” he said.
Taking account of Rongli’s massive exposure and Rhenock’s contained situation, the Health director general stated, "In Rhenock, we have kept a doctor while for Rongli, a general doctor is already there at the PHCs along with twice-a-week visit by the medical officer and doctors from Singtam in East Sikkim".
The Health director general also clarified on STNM hospital falling short of beds for Covid-19 patients.
“Currently, the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors of the hospital have been devoted for Covid patients but if there is a surge in number of cases, we will isolate the lower floors also for Covid-19 by clearing the current gynaecology and obstetrics wards. There are plenty of other wards as we go into the lower level of the STNM hospital’s main building. An isolation hospital for Covidis coming up in the STNM hospital premises which we are eyeing for an inauguration by July 31. If that gets completed, there will be enough space for more patients.”
Dr. Pempa admitted that if the Covid cases continue to rise as days go by, the general OPD and in-patients admitted for other ailments could face difficulties of being shifted to other district hospitals.
With east district is facing a near lockdown, Dr. Pempa said patients coming from other districts for treatment at Gangtok must present their medical certificates to be given entry. He highlighted protecting the doctors at STNM hospital is a high priority claiming they are the ones who will be treating the symptomatic patients.
“With seven days of exposure and 14 days of quarantine, many of our senior doctors will be away from the hospital for over 21 days. There are still general OPDs functioning and in-patients along with Covid-19 being the looming threat, if all such doctors go into quarantine, it may create a lot of trouble in the health scenario of the State.”
The Health director general informed that the Chief Minister has tested negative for Covid-19 along with his family, when the testswere conducted a couple of days ago. We will soon be conducting similar tests for all ministers and MLAs, he said.