Kasaragod, Apr 19: Kasaragod, Kerala's COVID-19 hotspot, is the only district in the southern state lacking adequate health infrastructure.
In spite of treating the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the state with meagre infrastructural facilities and even without the support of a medical college in the north Kerala district, no deaths have been reported due to coronavirus.
The state health department views the performance of M Kunhiraman and his team, consisting of Janardhana Naik and Krishna Naik, at the General hospital in Kasaragod as a success story.
"Not only did they control the situation quickly with minimum infrastructure, they also started turning out a large number of negative cases within a few weeks and creditably ensured zero mortality.
This can be showcased as a best global model," Chairman of the Information Education and Communication (IEC) Committee and Project Director Kerala State Aids Control Society, R Ramesh said.
Recalling the ordeal, Janardhana Naik said his first major challenge was the physical examination of a patient with suspected COVID-19.
"Even with the PPE kit, nobody knew how effective they were and it took a whole 30 minutes to wear them properly.
But as time passed, we got accustomed to it," he said.
The traditional method of dealing with a patient involved knowing his or her history, observation and physical examination.
For hundreds of years, the hands-on body approach has been the soul of the doctor-patient relationship -- taking the pulse, tapping on and listening to the chest, feeling lumps.
With the onset of COVID-19 all that has changed.
"In fact, the whole exercise was fraught with grave risks because everything connected with COVID-19 was new.
Doctors have to keep a distance even though the physical examination wearing a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is difficult.
Sounds from the body are inaudible, vision is blurred through the smog-covered goggles and a stethoscope seldom has any use," Janardhana Naik said.
It was from March 15 that the hospital started receiving COVID-19 patients, primarily from Dubai.
By the time the first person came, the hospital was ready for him.
Soon, patient numbers began to swell and in a couple of weeks they reached about 91.
From then on, it was teamwork.
Committees were formed for each and every task, including the help desk, IT, treatment, medical board, training, food, waste disposal and data maintenance.
Initially, patients had many misgivings about the hospital.
"Some were disillusioned and even aggressive. Some were not happy with the facilities the hospital had to offer.
But gradually through good treatment and counselling by a psychiatrist, who visited the hospital on alternate days, the confidence and mood of the patients changed and they became friendly with the staff," Naik elaborated.
Counselling was also given to the concerned family members of the patients.
Besides treatment, the medical staff had to spend a considerable amount of time clearing the doubts of patients.
When they got discharged some patients insisted on seeing the faces of the medical staff, who till then were anonymous entities covered from head to toe.
Some even wanted to take selfies with them.
However, the medical team politely turned down their requests and preferred to remain hidden in their work attires.
The mood of the patients also rubbed off on the doctors and hospital staff.
All the physicians and hospital staff are now more confident of dealing with contagious diseases after treating COVID-19 patients.
"Our previous experience of treating H1N1, Chikungunya and Dengue cases helped us a lot.
Words of encouragement from the Health Minister K K Shailaja, Health Principal Secretary Dr Rajan N Khobragade and Health Services Director Dr Sarita R L gave us the impetus to build up confidence.
Moreover, the field health workers did a wonderful job in containing the viral spread," Naik added.
As the number of coronavirus cases rose, the state government on April 5 deputed a 26-member medical team from Thiruvananthapuram to set up a COVID-19 hospital in the district.
They turned a block of the under construction Government Medical College as a hospital-like facility, setting up a 200 bed facility to treat coronavirus patients.
Shabina Khan Nazneen (25) resigned on Wednesday, accusing her senior of forcing her to remove burqa and hijab (headscarf) during the teaching period. She cited that it was "not worthy to compromise with her religious sentiments."
Comments
practice madidre full madabeku ...sumne shoki ge haakondu barodalla ...let her go and teach in Islamic university or madrasa ...avra community nalli ondu school and college quality education kodalla ..so heegagi illi bandu ..build up bere ....as per Islam ...non Muslim men should not look at Muslim women ..this lady has not covered face and hands ..high time hijab tax must be put .
Well done....
Good decision since she has trust on Creator... she is not going to die if she left this job... she may get better one...
Divine rule says it is better for the women to wear Modestly.. The women who use their god given intellect will recognize this blessing and follow it.... May ALLaH have mercy on them and protect them ... & May ALLAH guide those who are ignorant of this blessings.
Some of them without verifying the issue are ignorantly opposing it... It is for their benefit & protect oneself when the whole world is going god less... and living worst then animals now a days.
ALLAH is most merciful and most compassionate.. People should read the QURAN which is the manual for whole of mankind and a blessing for the LIFE ... Those who are missing it are really in DARKNESS of their LIFE ...
People heedlessly living their life and without proper knowledge, they come to conclusion & attack those who follow the divine rule.
For ME God's law is the best and it will protect me from the evil eyes of todays world..
Thank u True indian. U opened my eyes.
Ur absolutely correct. I prefer my sister or mom to wear hijab and cover her body fully. Instead of wearing mini skirts.
@bopanna
That means u don't respect Sita mata. Can't u see hijab on all sita matas pictures and idols
SISTER a great salute to you as you follow islam and imaan . with the heart
Even muslims respect Sita mata. Because on her all the pictures and idols. We can see her head is covered with hijab.
I think all women should wear hijab. It protects from evil eyes.
Keep your religion at home .... dont show off to hindu students
if u see Sita mata's Photo. She wears Hijab in all her Pictures.
Will they remove Sita Matas Hijab on all her idols?
O People of INDIA ....remember one thing ...many civilization has brith and death according it dealing with GOD and his rules.....so never late just repent and be good to every one . or else Aad and thamud will be reminded on this earth .
forget INDIA ....even country like USSR were destroyed by GOD using small groupf of unarmed and unskilled fighters from backward country ....so becarefull do not cros the border of aggression ....
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