KOZHIKODE: The medical fraternity of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH) have breathed a sigh of relief after the two Nipah positive patients including a nursing student proved negative and were shifted to the surveillance ward from ICU on Friday. It was a ray of hope amid series of Nipah related deaths, a result of selfless battle waged by doctors, nurses, post graduates and ordinary staff for the past many days.
The medical fraternity of the city is on with a historic fight against Nipah and most of them are fighting it risking their lives. Things are on a war-footing and the core committee headed by district collector U.V. Jose, director of health services Dr R.L. Saritha and DMO Dr Jayasree, review everything on a daily basis. The Medical College Hospital has metamorphosed into a real war front with doctors, nurses and staff works ‘hand in hand’ in the fight against the disease.
“At the beginning there was some kind of phobia among the staff which they had overcome with systematic educative sessions”, said Prof Dr K.P. Aravindan, former Pathology HoD at Calicut Medical College. “Those who were involved in the treatment in the beginning were really risking their lives as the safety mechanism was not that strong and the safety protocol came into effect only later”, he added.
MCH superintendent Dr K.G. Sajith Kumar told DC that regular awareness sessions on Nipah which is on at KMCH helped staff to overcome the initial fear. “We also ensured expert counseling by IMHANS Institue of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) to allay the fears of doctors, nurses and staff apart from ensuring foolproof multi-layer safety system for those exposed to the confirmed patients”, he added.
Staff caring the probable patients have simple safety gears while those caring positive patients have fully covered safety gear”, he added. “We are happy that two have proved negative after prolonged and systematic treatment. They are stable and have been shifted to the surveillance wards. I feel it is a ‘silver line’ in our battle against Nipah. Let there be more such information”, he added.
