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.
Insisting that the issue is not related to religion but involves respect and dignity of women, he said the government “respects faith but worship and social evil cannot coexist.”
Comments
Dear Ravi Shankar, where were u when hundreds of muslim women were butchered in Gujarat, why cant you give justice to Ahsaan Jafry wife, where is Najeeb and why are u closing eyes while Najeeb's mom is requesting for justice. You are a crocodile and Lomli. You have already fooled Naqwi + Shahnawaz and trying to fool others also. You will not get success in this. You are a hypocrite and opportunist. You may marry those women who are contacting you regarding the issue as they are not respecting Islam and may be ready to marry you.
First give justice to Mrs.Jaffery for burning her husband alive. Give justice to honorable MP E. Ahmed's family for disrespecting his death.
In islam women's are getting more respect,dignity and protection than any other religion. Study religion of islam in its right path then you will understand the beauty of Islam.
Mr. Shankar, let us discuss about this subject after UP election....not a nice time...you are speaking just to grab votes from muslim women....
Mr.Shanker say our PM to respect his wife first nd then say our party to respect women. I think you forget Mangalore pub issue. Everyone respect women. No one is perfect here.
Wonderful Masterjee, which part of the world you had been, bap ray bap Are you Law minister of Hindustan??? so first you learn Hindustan ruling Law, do not try to Implement Your RSS Goonda criminal Law in our beautiful Hindustan, at least you became Law minister to Implement the Law not to break and create problem around Hindustan, now understood that you are afraid to face Uttar Pradesh election, that's why all these bulsh*ts coming up.
Masterjee no chance papa Crimes are increasing loot pat increasing... nothing else to do... so coming to resolve Triple Talaq!!!!!
That's not your business.
Jai hoo Modianna.
Jai hoo Siddanna.
First secure your slipping seats and majority due to people's frustration.......then talk about Tripple talaq......one thing you listen you son of HITLER......when you follow HITLER's footstep it also reminds his END
because you are challenging GOD\s law.....not your man made Manu vad or man made stories...."
Dear Mr. Ravi shankar, this is just for Election Gimmick u cant able handle , jaag utenge indian Muslims ........... be careful
Wrong practice by Muslims has open the doors to Kafirs to interfere in our religious matters ....
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