The whole world endured the onslaught of the deadly corona virus for over two years. We are currently in the fourth stage of mutation of the virus that has created havoc having wide ranging ramifications besides impacting the healthy wellbeing of the people. But it’s not in the news these days. Ukraine and Gyanvapi issues seem to have killed the virus.

The virus is considered to be carrying varying degree fatality so much so that healthcare professionals tended to the needs of the patients wearing PPE kits ostensibly because of the variants of the virus and its ability to inflict harm to humans.

Though Omicron variant is not fatal but is more intense and at the same time hard to detect. The new variant may have the same symptoms of the corona virus, but may not be fatal as it just impacts the upper tracts of the lungs.

The war is not over yet and we don’t how many more battles we will have to fight till it ends. The fight is still on.

We have seen the worst in first and second wave with very sick patients in ICUs as well as wards. It is difficult to imagine how the hospitals worked day and night taking care of patients who were critically ill but were managed in wards due to scarcity of beds, oxygen as well as drugs. Well, there are reports also that hospitals made a ‘killing’ and squeezing the mullah from the patients, which is nothing short of blackmail.

Nevertheless, the silver lining during the pandemic is that the healthcare fraternity also took the blow on the chin. The doctors, nursing staff rose to the occasion and did everything humanly possible to help each and every patient. Everyone was a soldier in the warzone. 

It was a challenge right from start. While the world was yet to understand the virus and its deadly nature, doctors were attending to the patients. In the scientific world itself there was a host of information available but time available to assimilate and comprehend and implement the learning was not adequate to deliver the best. But some sincere ones also burnt the midnight oil, not only kept abreast with the knowledge and ways to tackle it but was in the forefront to explain it the patients and the media as well.

The hospital staff also faced with a challenged to segregate Covid infected patients and to take care of patient who were not infected with Covid-19 but required indoor care for other ailments.  While some hospitals were shut down due to this inability to tackle two types of patients, some managed.

Anyway, experts say it’s not over yet. Don’t be lax. Most people have got vaccinated but still we must not take it easy. We must continue wearing masks at public places (masks have been mandatory once again in Delhi). People are becoming lax with Covid appropriate behaviour.

PSRI Hospital Senior consultant, Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Dr Neetu Jain says, “Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.”

Continue being cautious, follow Covid appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated, if you have not. Those who have suffered from COVID should follow a healthy diet as well as exercise routine and follow-up regularly with their doctors. These are difficult times but we can cope up with proper care and thoughtfulness.

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With the Government of India announcing vaccination for adolescents aged 12-14, a BJP youth leader in Delhi is taking up the mantle and providing the children with the required dose without financially burdening the parents with the cost of the vaccination.

With an aim to reach out one and all, Umang Bajaj, Secretary – BJP Youth Wing, Delhi Pradesh with the support from District Magistrate Office and Udaan NGO, took up the initiative to vaccinate the children aged 12 – 14 and bear the cost through private financing and community participation.  This initiative was rolled out under the guidance of, Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta.

In Delhi’s Naraina’s Mata Mandir and adjoining areas, Umang assisted over 250 children to get the vaccinated recently.  And he is not stopping at that. “More drives are planned in the future as well,” says Umang.

The vaccination was administered to the children of Naraina for the first time in the presence of Rajesh Geol, President, Karol Bagh Distt. BJP, Ashok Goel Devra, Vice President BJP Delhi, Jai Prakash, Ex-Mayor North MCD, Suresh Sharma, Ex-President New Delhi distt, Deepali Kapoor, General Secretary and others.

“This is a small step towards accomplishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that every person in India is fully vaccinated”, expresses Umang.

“There is talk about the fourth wave of Covid which is expected by the middle of the year.  I thought it was the right time to reach out to the children whose parents are from economically weaker sections and provide them with vaccine dose”, he added.

A labours son, Gaurav, who goes to a Delhi Government school in the area was all smiles after getting the vaccine though was a little scared initially. “It was a very nice gesture. Who cares for the poor? But Umang helped us and I feel that other children also take the benefit,” says Gaurav’s father.

Children were also given juice, snacks and water at the venue.

The vaccination for adolescents was started by the government in March and is costing Rs 380. So far approximately 190 crore vaccinations have been administered throughout the country.

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India has achieved over 80 percent vaccination with over 187 crore vaccines administered till April 20. Even adolescents too are getting vaccinated with the elderly even getting booster doses. But still Delhi started witnessing increase in Covid positive cases with daily cases crossing over 2,000 for the last three days.

In response to the increase in Covid cases in the city, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) sprang into action. It made wearing face masks mandatory in the national capital on April 13. The move raised valid doubts and if it was taken in haste and did it indicate re-infection of the virus in the people.

Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.

PSRI Hospital Senior consultant, Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Dr Neetu Jain says, “Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.

“Most people have got vaccinated but still we must not take it easy. We must continue wearing masks as DDMA has made it mandatory once again. People are becoming lax with Covid appropriate behaviour, so making mask mandatory is the step in right direction.”

Becoming Lax!

Doctors and experts, nevertheless feel that the rise in cases could be not only because people are becoming lax in following the Covid protocols but due to the new XE variant surfacing in the country. This new XE variant is a combination of the sub-variants of corona virus that was discovered in South Africa. It first surfaced in Gujarat and Maharashtra in India.

The symptoms of the new XE variant are the same as Covid 19 which include fever, cough, and tiredness, say experts. It is no different from the corona virus.  

Officials state that XE variant is highly transmissible. However, there is a sense of relief also as it is considered mild. 

But regardless of it being mild or not, the case in point it is that XE variant is difficult to detect. And even normal swab test have to be specially tested for the XE variant.

The question comes to mind – Is the new XE variant responsible for the rise in cases?

A few months back, Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur had predicted we could expect the fourth Covid wave around middle of June which will last for two months and peak from August mid onwards. 

“After three waves, first in 2020 (Covid), second in April 2021 (Delta variant) and third in December/January 2022 (Omicron), is this the start of the fourth wave (XE variant)?” says Dr Manav Manchanda of Asian Hospital.

But the government is not keen to go by the IIT researchers and downplays the suggestions that the fourth wave would be hitting the country anytime soon.

However, medical authorities concur with the researchers. Doctors feel that Covid is not over and perceive that the fourth wave could be just round the corner.

Its not over

Without much debate scientific debate, we ought to take care as the threat of corona was not over.

And for those, who have not taken booster dose, you can take Booster dose. The government has reduced the cost of the booster dose which the medical healthcare fraternity was ready to absorb the cost difference. However, even vaccine manufacturers were also ready to take unused stock. There are reports that the vaccine manufactures are willing to adjust the costing in future purchases by the hospitals. Delhi even made it free on April 21.

The booster dose should ideally be given after appropriate time as the elderly are impacted more and thus they need to be cautious. The role of vaccination and the booster dose cannot be undermined, hence take a booster dose if vaccinated.

And women especially need to be extra cautious. Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician & IVF Expert, Nurture Clinic, said, “Women need to be more alert during pregnancy. There is a chance that you may not be infected and affect your new born, but why take a chance. Pregnant women need to take extra care.”

And did you know that in the age group 12-14 year old, so far, 2.57 crore adolescents have been vaccinated with first dose of vaccine in the country.

However, the government has so far not gone strict and closed schools and resorted to online classes once again and is permitting regular classes even as the cases started surfacing in schools in Noida and Delhi. Doctors in any case, advise caution. 

Remain vigilant

 “Remain vigilant especially for the sake of the children. We have to defeat Corona. The battle is long so, fight till your last mask. Maintain your healthy habits. In any case, Indians normally would wash hands before eating, so we just need to continue to broaden the selfcare base and just go on wearing masks,” says Dr Archna Dhawan Bajaj.

Wash your hand and maintain hygiene and remember to follow the social distancing norms and sanitize yourself whenever needed.

The post Masks are back! No time to slack appeared first on The Correspondent.

The Correspondent Bureau

Is it loot, blackmail or plain simple medical expenses?  Saroj Hospital charged exorbitant amount of Rs 14 lakh for a Covid 19 patient who eventually died on Oct 15 at 11 am and settled for Rs 3 lakh less on the total bill after relatives objected to the overpriced bill.

Saroj Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi’s Rohini admitted Anil Kumar on Sept 18 affected with corona virus and immediately put in him intensive care unit. The relatives kept paying and had deposited approximately Rs 2.5 lakh. The insurance policy covering Anil was adjusted to cover Rs 8 lakh.

 After 28 days, the hospital declared the patient dead and put up a provisional demand of Rs 4 lakh more for the final amount of Rs 14.5 lakh.

Having adjusted the initial payment and insurance cover, the hospital had received Rs 10.5 lakh and demanded Rs 4 lakh to clear the bill before initiating procedure to dispose of the body as per the guidelines. However, when pointed out the hospital had inflated its bill, and had charged Rs 6.5 lakh of ‘drugs’ alone, and the relatives threatened to call the cops, the hospital quickly changed its bill and asked the relatives to deposit only Rs 1 lakh to dismiss the matter.

After having received the amount, the Hospital called in the MCD on Oct 16 to be taken to taken for cremation. According to the Delhi Government order dated June 20, private hospitals could not charge more than Rs 15,000 for ICU (without the need for ventilator and including PPE kit of Rs 2000).

Delhi Government help 1031 said it had no jurisdiction over private hospitals. Dr Anil, North West District Surveillance officer said, it was the responsibility of the MCD and the private hospital to dispose of the body as per norms.

Delhi  Health Minister Satender Jain did not respond to the call by The Correspondent.

Dipti handling media and public relations of the Saroj Super Speciality Hospital did not respond to SMS sent by The Correspondent.

The post Is it blackmail or plain simple medical expenses? appeared first on The Correspondent.

It said that the festivals, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions and concerts associated with the festivities are mass events and advised the administrative requirement such as identification of spatial boundaries and preparation of a detailed site plan in compliance with thermal screening, physical distancing, sanitisation etc. “In case of events that run for days or weeks, the crowd density doesn’t remain the same throughout and usually peaks around certain hours of the day and some previously known auspicious days. Planning for the event should specifically factor this so that crowds are regulated and managed to ensure physical distance and frequent sanitisation,” the guidelines added.

In case of rallies and immersion processions, the number of people should not exceed the prescribed limit and proper physical distancing and wearing of masks must be ensured. In any case, the number of such rallies and the distance covered by them may be kept within manageable limits. The Health Ministry said that the events such as rallies, and processions spread over long distances would require support of ambulance services. Events planned to last for many days or weeks such as exhibitions, fairs, puja pandals, Ramlila pandals or concerts and plays should have adequate measures to ensure a cap on physical numbers. “Staggered timings and restricted entry may be considered. Volunteers should be appropriately stationed to ensure thermal scanning, physical distancing and wearing of masks. The guidelines issued for theatre and cinema artists will apply to stage performers. Adequate supplies of sanitizers, thermal guns and physical distancing floor markings to be ensured,” the Centre added. Close circuit cameras would be considered to monitor compliance of physical distance norms, wearing of masks at each venue. “In case of rallies and processions, route planning, identification of immersion sites, ensuring cap on numbers, physical distancing etc. must be planned beforehand and measures for enforcement outlined.”

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https://www.sevenjackpots.com/teen-patti/how-to-play/

How ace photographer, associated with The Correspondent, fought a tough battle with Covid 19 with little help from Delhi Government

Subhash Barolia, The Correspondent freelance photographer, fought a tough battle with Covid 19 and emerged victorious with the help of Ayurveda medicines, yoga and simple diet even as the Delhi government response remained apathetic in its fight against corona virus.

As the country went into an extended lockdown from March 24, Subhash, not to shy away in his duty, went on an overdrive, clicking pictures in Delhi. From India Gate to Jahangir Puri, Subhash went to every nook and corner of the capital trying to get the best possible frames.

Though taking adequate precautions, Covid 19 struck Subhash. By the first week of April, the scribe could feel that he could be down by the virus.

From April 10, Subhash could feel weakness and getting mild cough. Two days later, Subhash first took cough medicine. And another two days later, he started sleeping alone. Subhash’s eldest daughter (Ritiksha) is studying in second year, son Vignesh has just taken 12^th exam and youngest boy (Hanush) is studying in class 4^th.

The daring photographer got an inkling that something was amiss. Subhash got into self-quarantine mode and started maintaining distance with his children. However, there was no way to get a test done. Subhash indirectly approached Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal through friends. But to no avail. “Meanwhile, I started reading a lot and doing basic things like yoga and eating proper food and getting my immunity strong,” Subhash recalls.

Nevertheless, a week later (April 22-24), the Delhi Government organized a test mela Subhash got his test done on April 23. On April 25 evening, feeling weak, Subhash took paracetamol for fever and telling his children that he was going to sleep, Subhash locked himself in. The next morning when he got up, there were around a dozen missed calls from doctors, police and friends. A friend informed Subhash that he had tested Covid positive.

The next threatening call was from the cops who wanted to know the details of the family members and their numbers and who all he had been in touch with. Subhash next got in touch with doctors. An ambulance was arranged, which came at 12 on April 26. The entire locality looked out of their windows to see Subhash go.

“Everyone was looking at me as if I had done something very wrong. I was feeling as if they are looking at a criminal. As I sat in the ambulance, one neighbour aunty waved at me. This gave me strength,” recalls Subhash who was starting on a long solitary battle with the virus. However, a phone call to a friend went viral on social media and friends kept calling him to give support.

The ambulance took the photographer Ch Brahm Prakash Ayurvedic Charak Sansthan in Najafargh. “After two hours, when we reached the Ayurveda institute, nobody was ready to talk properly. We were told to go upstairs in the building and look for a bed. I reached the second floor and occupied bed number 74. Later, a ward boy came, leaving a bucket at the door. It had the things I was going to use for the next 18 days,” Subhash says.

The bucket contained a mug, digital thermo meter, a towel, slippers, soap and sanitizer. And from here on started self-healing process.  “There was no treatment as such. We were given Ayurveda medicines. And for food, we were given normal rice and veggies,” he adds. 

After initial one or two days of discomfort and mild fever and coughing, normal vegetarian food, Ayurveda medicine Sitopaladi choorna with honey and Vyoshadi Vati, Vasavaleha, Kantakaryavaleha, karda, gargling, warm water and yoga started showing positive results. Subhash was feeling better.

“I realized I could have done this at home. You don’t require to be in a threatening environment where everyone is treating you as a social outcast. Only the other patients were talking to each other,” Subhash recalls his harrowing experience.

By May 7 and 8, the patients were requesting the doctors for tests. But they wouldn’t agree. On May 9, the government of India said mild or intermediate symptoms cases could be discharged.  The doctors got into a discharging spree. A subsequent test on May 10 result was positive for Subhash.

On May 12, they virtually removed 60 patients out of the hospital without giving any discharge slip or documentation. When the patients objected and created a ruckus, the staff let the patients back. Initially, they were even refusing dinner but by 10 pm gave in and organized food for the patients. The patients who had private vehicles left.

On May 13, staff handed a discharge slip and asked Subhash to leave even though the test was Covid positive. “Without transport how was anyone to leave. So, I requested a friend, who sent a taxi. The driver was scared but somehow I tricked him into believing I was a staff member and he took me home,” he said.

“But upon reaching home, I was not comfortable with a positive report.” It took Subhash all journalistic push and pull to get a result done because by then the Karol Bagh area had been declared a containment zone. On May 27, Subhash went to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and got a test done. The result is negative. Subhash had won a long lone battle, nothing less than a miracle.

The post Ayurveda cures Covid positive photographer appeared first on The Correspondent.

Everyone must accept that Covid19 virus has invaded world community and hence after everyone has to live with it.

Just by postponing speedy spread, by way of lockdown and social distancing or isolation of cases, the things will not fall in place as expected.

Unless there is allowing herd immunity to develop naturally, is only the way to make virus as one of the common viruses. 

In my view following strategy needs to be follows:

1) Prepare a mind set of planners to accept the fact.

2) Lift lock down after May 3, partially.

3) All tourists places and religious places be closed one month more.

4) All shops and factories be opened.With personal protective measures undertaken.

5) Allow those who can work from home. 

6) Follow videoconferencing rather than meetings to reduce travel. 

7) Odd-even number strategy may be followed regarding vehicles.

8) All hotels restaurants be opened from 7 am to 7pm. 

9) Railways, buses including pvt be started.To avoid rush in Mumbai locals some office hours needs to be changed and reorganized.

10)  All markets for agricultural products needs to be re-established.

11) All hospitals shall run as usual.

Only suspects should be referred to identified hospitals.

12) Just bcz some Dr was unable to diagnose Covid 19, should not be held responsible.

13) Colleges and schools be allowed to reopen by 1July.

14) Those exams were stayed, should be allowed to be conducted.

15) Marriages and parties where gatherings are expected should be allowed with 50 persons only with social distancing and Masks only.

16) All offices must run with efficiency.

17) Domestic flights with 50% occupation should be started. 

18) International flights also be started with most essential PPEs and tests.

19) Research against Covid 19 be expedited.

20) Detailed guidelines can be evolved. 

Now we must accept the fact of corona virus and its complications.

– To  reduce deaths is most important but at the same time it  should not be compromised with engaging  of youth in different occupations.

With this Economy will be preserved and deaths also .

by the way of herd immunity AEAP.

Dr Sabnis Sharad

Chief Administrator, Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services

The post Lift the Lockdown appeared first on The Correspondent.

Exclusive interview with Ludhiana based, Dr G S Grewal, Ex President, Punjab Medical Council,.

On how Corona patients are being treated:

Honestly we were not ready for this especially in district and peripheral
hospitals. People are even not used to PPE masks. They don’t have NIVS (Non invasive ventilation device) and there’s definite shortage of ventilators as well as trained handlers this leaving aside Metro cities or capital
towns. 

On Doctors

Doctors again in the periphery have been avoiding outpatients except few but some are seeing regularly. I personally feel we are still not ready to handle complications at all and social distancing still remains best bet because it requires discipline and behaviour changes.

Increase bed capacity:

So far we didn’t require to increase the capacity of beds but in case
required, we will already have a full functioning 20-bed hospital. (personal
effort) 

On Private hospitals

Private Hospital have been reluctant even some corporate were till
Government showed eyes. 

On Government Hospitals

Government Hospitals in district level probably do not have a protocol culture which has
created difficulties and loss of some precious life as well. The biggest threat
is from asymptomatic patients.

The post We are not prepared. It is scary! appeared first on The Correspondent.

People are dying due to non-availability of medical help, Govt hospitals closing their doors for non-Covid patients and pvt hospitals and nursing homes scared of govt threat and fear of sealing, we are in need for desperate help while the Prime Minister remains unmoved. It is time to bloody wake him up. Join The Correspondent and spread the message.

Capt M K Tayal

Bhupinder Kumar, a diabetic patient, developed problems. His family members panicked. In the lockdown, what were they do? They took their patient to Chandigarh’s prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. The premier hospital refused to accept the patient as they were only treating Covid 19 cases. The family members were in tears, pleading doctors. But to no avail.

The condition of Bhupinder was rapidly deteriorating. Unable to get proper medical care, he was finding it difficult to breathe. The family members rushed him to private hospitals. There the doctors too refused to accept, due to strict guidelines by the government. And the same day, Bhupinder breathed his last.

Prime Minister Narender Modi has imposed a lockdown in the country. Effectively, everything has been shut in the country, except medical and essential services. But ironically, even medical services are not fully available to the people. In the world’s strictest lockdown, the cops have been ruthlessly beating people and implementing the lockdown by resorting to criminal acts under the Indian Penal Code. The Government of India, under the leadership of the pradhan sewak has closed many Out Patients Departments (OPDs) of the government hospitals and only emergency services are operational.

A lady (name not disclosed) in Mumbai had to regularly take chemotherapy. But under the lockdown, hospitals refused to admit her and provide her the care that was due. Her family members went from pillar to post seeking help. They got none. She died last week.

A 42 year old woman developed respiratory problems. She was shifted from Civil Hospital in Ludhiana as the ventilators were not functional mode to Patiala Government Medical College, where she died on arrival. 

Who is responsible?

The senseless of complete lockdown, closing OPDs at many hospitals is just too glaring and smacks of illogical government logic. The ripple down effect of closing OPDs is telling on other hospitals. Millions of people would need medical help in the country of 130 billion, are suffering, and many are dying.

People were going to doctors for various reasons – from complicated to rather simple problems like indigestion. “What happened to all the patients who were going to the hospitals and doctors,” asks Saloni Arya, a resident of Mumbai who had to endure 15 days of toothache. When she could not tolerate it no more, she ventured in the lockdown, ready to face the legal consequences. She pleaded with the dentist who was not ready to take up patients.

“Just because, corona has come, does it mean that pain of other people suffering is not severe and does not require attention,” says Gaurav Sharma, a journalist in Chandigarh.  “What are people expected to do? Tolerate pain,” says retired official Surinder Goel from Panipat.  However, most OPDs being closed, the government services inside hospitals also require urgent attention.

Govt hospitals facilities are appalling

Facilities in government hospitals are appalling. Recently a video of a family in Janakpuri surfaced online. The father was admitted to a private hospital in Shalimar Bagh for fever and when the tests were conducted he was found corona positive. He was shifted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital in Delhi, where medical facilities and care were unavailable. For nine hours, he was not attended by the doctors, according to the girl in the video. The father was told that he would be shifted to a quarantine facility in north Delhi but here too he waited without much help. The family feared that the father would die under the circumstances not because of the corona virus but because of the neglect and apathy of the medical staff.  It brought the family to the point of crying publicly and pleading Prime Minister Narender Modi for help to allow them to take their patient to private care.

A decorated Raggi of Golden Temple was shifted to Govt hospital in Amritsar after he was tested positive. But when no doctor turned to see him, he made a passionate appeal over social media.

Mr Modi this is what your lockdown has done which you thrust on the people without considering many aspects like closing OPD services or thinking about the daily wage earners, allowing atleast adequate public transport and allowing people to earn their daily bread.

Government hospitals need repair

In government hospitals, most departments have been turned into Covid departments. “So even if say an orthopedic patient comes, there is no place in the hospital to keep that patient,” says a doctor on condition of anonymity.  

Though the government certainly has been able to increase the bed capacity of accepting corona virus patients just in cases the numbers go exponentially high but besides that the government is working very hard and putting up a brave front. On ground the situation is critical to say the least. The medical facilities of corona patients and other patients need to be improved at this stage.

And even where doctors are seeing patients they are seeing patients from six to eight feet distance. They don’t have PPEs for doctors. According to a source, when doctors in Bihar approached a district magistrate for personal protection equipment, the leaned district magistrate quipped they have been given Rs 1 crore insurance.  “So you want soldiers to fight without guns because they have been insured,” said a doctor to the DM. It is the case throughout the country.

The availability of PPE and N95 masks to availability to government and private nursing homes is a big issue. The government recently issued testing kits but Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) asked states to put the medical services on hold.

Private Hospitals at the receiving end

Private hospitals are at the receiving end of government regulations. They are refusing to see patients as not to be on the wrong side of the law. The government has imposed strict conditions on private hospitals. For instance, the government wants private hospital to maintain records of all patients. And if any patient fails to turn up for a follow up, the next day, the doctor is supposed to call and find and trace the patient. “How is a doctor supposed to call and trace a patient who doesn’t want to show up for the fear of being handed over to the government hospitals,” asks Dr Neeraj, working in a prestigious hospital in Delhi.

And if a patient is found Covid positive, the entire hospital would be sealed and turned into a hotspot. All the staff would be in quarantine. “So who is going to take the risk of locking the entire hospital?  This is complete mindlessness of the authorities,” says another doctor.

Dr Satish (name changed) in Delhi says, “The hospitals are scared today. They are not allowed to take corona patients. Even if one patient is found, the government is sealing the entire hospital. Only big hospitals who can adhere to strict government social distancing guidelines are accepting patients. For the smaller ones, who will take a chance?” The doctor lists over hundreds of private hospitals and nursing homes have been closed across the country.

“Hospital gets sealed for 14 days if any patient is found,” admits Dr Alok Gupta from East Delhi.

“Fear of missing a Covid patient who later may turn out to be positive is huge as virus is asymptomatic in initial stages. In such case FIR is the fear,” says Dr Neeraj.

Problems with private practice are numerous. Hospitals will still have to pay salaries to the staff.  “With no work, we are asked to pay salaries without 50 percent staff and practically no work,” says Dr Alok.

There are few patients almost no elective surgeries are taking place. So expenses of staff and maintaining equipment are issues that need to be addressed as patients are being discouraged to go to the hospitals. Only those with access to transport can visit hospitals. And even those with private vehicles have been harassed by the police.

Some people were using going to hospitals as excuse but this resulted in the police virtually clamping on even genuine people going to see doctors. Public transport is non-existent. So lack of public transport means that the poor doesn’t even stand a chance of seeing a doctor.

A lawyer, Kardak Doji, in Arunachal Pradesh Along district got a kidney transplant last year. He has to visit Coimbatore for regular checkups. But this time round, he has not been able to doctors for the checkup and he is hoping no complications come up.

Even doctors are also scared to entertain patients. Those private hospitals attending patients are doing so at a huge risk. On the other hand, many patients are also scared of declaring their fever or cough or their contact history for falling in the wrong hands of ill-equipped medical care. 
The hospitals are also supposed to maintain social distancing and if the patients or their relatives are not following social distancing norms, they are held responsible. With limited manpower, hospitals are under duress to ensure that those coming to hospitals maintain social distancing.

Ironically, doctors above 60 years of are not safe but are being forced to work. “This is not a good decision of the government,” says a doctor on condition of anonymity.

And in the given situation, many new-borns are being unofficially dumped, according to a doctor. “They don’t have money with salaries and jobs drying up, how are they expected to pay medical biils and take care of new born,” questions a doctor.

The situation is pathetic. The government has to have some bailout mechanism for the people otherwise people will die of other illnesses than corona. While India clapped and bang thalis at our instance to praise the medical staff, Mr Prime Minister, you have not clapped for them so far.

Social distancing is min one meter which 3.5ft and with a mask on

The post Mr Prime Minister, bloody wake up appeared first on The Correspondent.

By M K Tayal,

A very chirpy, bubbly Anamika has been brooding on the couch for the last 30 minutes fidgeting on her prized possession, her smart phone. Alternating between SpongeBob SquarePants and her phone, Anamkia is simply restless.

Anamika’s father Manan and mother Poonam, residents of Andheri in Mumbai, nudge her to colour her Barbie but the third grader is not interested in doing the things she would normally be pestering her parents for. From watching television, browsing movies on Netflix, reading a couple odd comic strips, the family has had it all. And there is no exit. In the lockdown, Anamika and her parents have little to do.

Constant presence of the parents and children at home without much to do is telling on the families across the country confined to their homes. Children specially are missing their classes, play time and general freedom which was once not even counted as such.

Excessive screen time

With no outside exposure and limited engagement and plenty of available time, the children and even parents are stressed and getting restless. The only outlet children have is to remain glued to their smart phones or TV sets. Added to the screen time, are online classes that have started by schools in the country. The result – children are logged in all the time.

“My boys are in front of gadgets 24×7. The teachers are taking their online classes. After the classes, the kids switch to watching something or the other on their electronic devices. We don’t want that to happen. But in the given scenario, we are helpless,” admits Mumbai resident Saloni Arya, mother of twins, Vatsa and Varishth.

Are you struggling to keep your child busy?

Guardians are worried over the excessive dependence on screen engagements of their children. Parents are weighed down by stress and are wondering keep children engaged. This is a task that requires dexterous yet simple approach. “The children are craving to go out but we have to enforce strict lockdown restrictions. It is hard for children to understand the importance of staying indoors. And lack of activity is leading to boredom,” explains Dr Neeraj working at a prestigious Hospital in Delhi.

No Rocket Science to deal with stress

Interestingly, it is no rocket science and fairly easy to deal with the situation. It just takes a little imagination and inclination to turn the table around. “You need to spend quality time and engage with the children. Communication is the key,” Dr Neeraj emphasized. Parents need to take out time from the daily chores and be with the children. In some cases, the children should also be included in light household chores too. 

It is imperative for parents is to be creative and use this period and establish deep-rooted bonds, says one of the country’s eminent psychiatrist Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Mental Health and Behavioral Department, Fortis Health Care and writer of the book, ‘How to engage with your kid while working from Home’.

You need to be aware of the stress and deal with it in small but effective measure. Don’t be over pre-occupied and worry unnecessarily about the future, especially the students. Parents ought to divide time equally with their children between themselves and work from home requirements efficiently, says Dr Parikh.

And here are five quick tips to beat the lockdown stress from the book How to engage with your kid while working from Home’:

1. Follow normal routine. Sleep and wake up on time. Do yoga/exercises.
2. Eat your meals together.
3. Pick up a hobby – Music, writing, painting etc.
4. Play together – be it a board game, dumb charades or even antakshari etc.
5. Call friends and include children in video calls.

In short – talk, communicate, share, laugh, love and bond. Stay Positive and do what is in your control. Remember to take one day at a time.

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