By: Ahmad Shabir
Anantnag: With third Covid wave hitting Kashmir, health authorities in Anantnag district have designated three hospitals to deal with any possible crisis.
Though the new variant, according to doctors, has been very mild so far but to deal with any challenge in coming days, the Health Department has installed 2145 beds at different hospitals for the purpose. Hundreds of doctors and para-medics have been deputed for Covid duty across the district.
Anantnag district, one of the largest districts, both in terms of area and population has around 900 active Covid cases, most of them in home isolation.
Besides Government Medical College Anantnag, Trauma Hospital Bijbehara and Nursing College Mattan have been designated as Covid hospitals in the district.
Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag , Dr Mukhtar said that a total of 2145 beds have been kept available for Covid management across the district.
“The department has also installed 5 oxygen plants at different healthcare facilities. Besides, we have designated a portion of a trauma hospital to handle Covid positive pregnant women. We have in the last few days conducted surgeries on at least six Covid positive pregnant women,” the CMO said.
Besides GMC Anantnag also has designated separate Covid wards with at least 150 beds.
“Out of 150 beds 42 beds have high flow oxygen supply while the rest are supplied with low flow oxygen. But we can enhance the high flow bed strength if need arises,” GMC Anantnag principal told Precious Kashmir.
The hospital which was declared as tertiary care Covid facility during the second wave has four oxygen plants with 4300 liter capacity.
He said that since the new variant has been mild so far, people getting infected do need hospitalisation. “Out of 150 beds only six are occupied at GMC. Most of the positive cases manage it at home unlike previous waves whenever almost every one needed to be put on oxygen. But the new variant can change its behaviour and we are ready to deal with any possible crisis,” the principal said.
He said that 120 doctors, 70 paramedics have been deputed for Covid duty at GMC hospital.
The CMO said that only 14 patients, including the ones admitted at GMC Anantnag have been hospitalized in the district so far.
