PIMS to restore outdoor services soon
PHOTO: FILE
The largest tertiary care hospital of the federal capital is considering resuming its outdoor services over four months after closing them in the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Joint Executive Director Dr Minhajus Siraj on Tuesday said that they will restore its outdoor services for the general public in the coming weeks.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Switzerland Embassy in Islamabad, where Switzerland provided the hospital with personal protective equipment, Dr Siraj said that their healthcare providers, especially those assigned to work in the outdoor sections of the hospital will be better covered and protected while wearing the high-quality disposable suits.
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He further said that this year, no case of the viral dengue fever has been reported so far, probably because of improved hygiene status of the community and reduced commercial activities due to the smart lockdowns, imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus which has so far infected some 14,938 people and claimed 165 lives.
Earlier, Switzerland’s Ambassador Benedict de Cerjat handed over around 2,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazmat suits to the hospital.
He said that healthcare services, through well planned and synchronized directions by the government, have played an efficient role in straightening the curve of Covid-19 related morbidity and mortality.
“The frontline healthcare providers have delivered their best in alleviating the sufferings of patients, infected with Covid-19,” he said as he paid tribute to the frontline healthcare providers fighting the pandemic.
The envoy further expressed a keen interest in the healthcare system of the country and the referral system modified in the wake of the pandemic.
Dr Siraj said that the suits are an extremely valuable contribution for keeping healthcare workers safe from the deadly infection.
As a preventive measure against Covid-19, the management of PIMS had decided to shut down its OPDs in late May.
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With the hospital hosting an isolation and treatment ward for Covid-19 patients, officials explained that this decision was taken to restrict the influx of people at the healthcare facility.
However, the number of Covid-19 patients has declined substantialy and there were only 27 left in the 200-bed coronavirus isolation ward at PIMS.
Pims Spokesperson Dr Waseem Khawaja said that the Coivd-19 situation in hospitals is now quite different to what it was. He said that they have 200 beds in their isolation ward and every day they have fewer patients.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2020.