Rajasthan: Covid patients can now use mobiles in ICUs, wards

JAIPUR: The health department has allowed the use of mobile phones by Covid patients admitted to ICUs and wards while undergoing treatment. The step will help patients ease their mental stress.
Besides, CCTV cameras will be installed in dedicated Covid hospitals for monitoring the care of patients by hospital staff. One of the concerns raised by patients’ attendants is that they have to depend on hospital staff to know how their patients are doing.
Since patients have to stay in hospitals for a long duration, they often complaint of stress and depression. Keeping it in mind, the health department has taken the deicision to allow gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets in ICUs and wards for Covid patients.
“Orders have been issued for the purpose. A patient will also be allowed for video conferencing with the family members,” said a senior health department official.
Currently, 150 Covid patients are undergoing treatment in ICUs and around 6,000 others are admitted to Covid care centres and dedicated Covid hospitals, while the rest are under home isolation. Keeping in mind the nature of the disease, the hospitals have strict rules for preventing patients meeting their relatives in ICUs and wards.
The duration of the use of mobile phones will be decided by the hospital administration. Also, sanitizing of mobile handsets and tablets will be done regularly to prevent spread of infection.
Covid patients are at higher risk of mental stress and depression. “Significant psychological impacts have been observed ranging from anxiety, fear, sleep problems, uncertainty and depression. In extreme cases, it may sometimes lead to hopelessness, helplessness and suicidal tendencies,” said Dr Akhilesh Jain, head of the department (psychiatry), ESI Model Hospital.
With the decision of the health department, the patients will be able to communicate with the families directly through video conferencing to ease their stress.