The Out-Patient Department (OPDs) and In-Patient Department (IPDs) in Kashmir hospitals would continue to remain functional under SOPs, as a sudden closure would create chaos in health scenario across the Valley.
This was stated by Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference at the Old Secretariat complex in Srinagar, the Director Health said that the decision about the suspension of such facilities would only be taken after a proper assessment of the health scenario here.
“We have COVID dedicated hospitals besides that our specialised COVID dedicated DRDO hospital is also there to cater to such COVID patients,” the Director said. “We will only take the decision of closure of OPDs only after doing a ground assessment in our hospitals as more than 50 per cent of beds in our hospitals are still free,” he said.
He said that both COVID and non-COVID activities at the hospitals across Kashmir will function normally. The hurriedly called presser was scheduled after major confusion prevailed among people over the suspension of OPDs, IPDs in the Kashmir hospitals. The Director responded that there is confusion among the masses that a direction has been issued by the government with regard to the suspension of OPDs and IPDs at the hospitals.
“I want to make it clear that there is no such order from the government; rather, it is confusing due to the minutes of the meetings. But, the fact is we have already approached the higher-ups in this regard and have sought continuous functioning of the OPDs, IPDs and the conduct of surgeries as well,” he said, adding that the facilities would continue to function normally until the 50 per cent beds are occupied at the hospitals.