The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur state branch has recommended the state government for conversion of some hotels to paid Covid Care Centres for the mildly symptomatic cases, considering the interest of those who can afford it as this will reduce undue pressure for admission of mildly symptomatic cases to Referral Covid Hospitals.
Considering the present scenario of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the state and for better management of the situation, IMA Manipur state branch has submitted certain points of recommendations to chief minister N Biren on Thursday.
The recommendations are to initiate compulsory COVID-19 testing on arrival of all passengers at Imphal Airport and all other entry points or conduct rigorous checking of all RT-PCR test results that the passengers produced on arrival by verifying with ICMR’s SRF number.
It also recommended imposing a common SOP for admission and treatment of all COVID-19 patients for both private and government hospitals to enable rational admission, judicious treatment. It recommended optimising the limited resources and strengthening of infrastructure of the peripheral health centres like the CHCs and DHs for managing the mildly symptomatic with a robust referral system.
Engaging civil bodies like local clubs and meira paibis to enforce Covid appropriate behaviour among the general public, discouraging all long duration indoor meetings and strictly imposing the guidelines of home isolation and community home isolation were also recommended.
IMA also recommended well payment of junior doctors and health workers engaged on Covid duties on contractual basis as per their regular counterpart and give them preference for regular government post later. It sought introduction of life insurance schemes for Covid health care workers and development of a backup workforce for healthcare workers since the present health workers are likely to burn out soon due to stress and infection.
IMA, which is also the biggest association of doctors in the state, also stressed upon the necessity of representing it well in the State Consultative Committee on COVID-19 in the larger interest of the public.
