Keep clinics open, safely: IMA tells docs

Chaitanya Deshpande | TNN | Apr 14, 2020, 04:55 IST

Nagpur: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has appealed to all its members to keep their clinics open. Guidelines were released for clinical practice during lockdown.
IMA has asked doctors to post photographs and videos of work at clinics on social media tolet people know they were working. “Prepare for post-lockdown. Continue to insist on hand washing and social distancing. Equip and train staff on use of PPEs,” state the guidelines.
“Coronavirus is here to stay. We need to learn to live with it. Sadly, it’s the virus which is dictating terms. Do not be under the wrong impression that once the lockdown is lifted, everything will be normal. There is a strong possibility that these guidelines will be the new normal,” said Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, treasurer of World Medical Association.
According to him, there is no one solution that fits all. “Every country will have to take a call. In case of India, every state and region will require a different strategy. So, it’s better to follow the guidelines,” he added.
The guidelines further ask doctors to segregate patients with fever, cough and breathlessness. Big hospitals can use the standard questionnaire. Examination of patients with fever and cough will be done in a dedicated area. The staff in this area will have N95 masks.