(Asian News Hub) – As Covid-19 cases continue to rise unabated in Jammu and Kashmir, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Thursday urged authorities to rope in private hospitals to treat corona patients. ​

“That would reduce the burden on government run hospitals,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“We are back in the eye of the storm, with the second wave of Covid-19 causing surge in cases and hospitalizations too,” he said.

“Virus has once again become dangerous and is behaving aggressively.”

“Today we have more patients in hospitals than what we saw during the first wave and we are finding it hard to cope with the rush of patients,” DAK President said.

“Hospitals are running full and are at the risk of becoming overwhelmed. Patients are struggling to get a bed in ICU. Even oxygen support beds are occupied and patients have to use cylinders to maintain their oxygen levels.”

“We should include private hospitals in the fight against Covid-19,” he said.

“There is an urgent need for private hospitals to take part in the management of Covid-19 patients.”

“That would ease the pressure on public hospitals, and would relieve the strained staff,” Dr Nisar said.

“For the past few weeks, cases have started rising and is now starting to reflect in the rising number of hospitalization.”

“The number is expected to rise further in coming days as there are still massive number of people in the population who are susceptible to the virus,” he said.

Hospitals should prepare for dealing with any eventuality,” Dr Nisar said.

“Public safety will depend on hospital preparedness.”

“Hospitals should have separate negative pressure isolation wards for corona patients,” he said.

“The negative pressure would prevent contaminated air from escaping the ward. These wards should have dedicated ventilators and HEPA filters that would reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. They should have separate entrance so that infected patients don’t risk other patients and staff in the hospital.”

“In order to ensure safe environment for patients, hospitals should adopt strict infection prevention and control measures and vaccination to staff,” said Dr Nisar.