Stigmatisation concerns CH chief

SHILLONG: Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Shillong, SS Nongbri said the patients tested positive for COVID-19 are under the medical care of hospital authorities and there should not be any room for stigmatisation.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, he appealed to the people to not stigmatise the patients and medical health workers while urging the Dorbar Shnong to cooperate with the medical professionals.
To a query, he said there are 15 persons under observation and 3 patients tested positive are in complete isolation.
He recalled that there was an incident when a certain Dorbar Shnong refused a person to enter the village after the person was discharged from the Civil Hospital although it was a negative case.
“The message to the public is to not discriminate or stigmatise them. We have taken precaution on how to handle patients and the family members should extend moral support”, he said.
According to the official, the patients in Civil Hospital are having mild symptoms and they are being taken care of 24x 7 and the staff are fully protected and equipped.
He added that the authorities have not denied access to any of their needs.
Nongbri said the patients are discharged after proper screening and if there are no positive results, they can go home. They are advised to stay separately and be protected and use hand sanitisers. “Not all are asked to go home especially those whose homes are overcrowded as they are asked to stay at the corona care centres”, he said.
“Those who are sent home or corona centres are patients who are tested negative”, he added.
He said the staff of Civil Hospital are working on shifts of 4 hours and are taking care of themselves besides fighting the pandemic.
He informed that the doctors and staff are working hard and they are well equipped. There should not be any suspicion that the doctors are infected, he added.