Medical services collapse, RWAs step in with homecare

In the future, every house can become a hospital

By Sumit Saxena

New Delhi, June 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The novel Coronavirus has exploded in the national capital, where now there are 36,824 cases, with over 2,000 added in past 24 hours -- the highest spike in a day. Private hospitals have already run out of beds, and there are few takers for beds in government hospitals, which are more than 50 per cent vacant. Also, Delhi does not have beds to meet the demand, if cases were to spiral to 5.5 lakh by July end, as has been suggested then what will happen? To bring order in this spectacle of chaos, RWAs have pitched to fill the gap -- when the city runs out of beds, then home-care is the next best alternative -- to protect people against the paandemic.

Speaking to IANS Sandeep Sharma, president south Delhi Indian Medical Association (IMA), said a Covid response team has been created by the RWA South Extension, where the association has procured oxygen concentrator, oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter, for people who require home quarantine.

Responding to a query where Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said it is expected the city may have 5.5 lakh cases by July, Sharma said" "Let us face it, we don't have that number of hospital beds. Therefore, the RWA is home isolating people with milder symptoms and we are in constant touch through video conferencing.

"If the patients' breathlessness aggravates on the 7th or 10th day, then we arrange an ambulance to rush them to a hospital. This is a pilot project. I insist all RWAs should involve local doctors in the patient care. , and for this, RWAs will have to come forward."

The death toll in the city rose by 129 on Friday, which was the highest for a single day. The case fatality rate is 3.3 per cent, and the latest 2,137 cases have come from 5,947 samples, a test confirmation rate of nearly 36 per cent, which is alarming.

Atul Goyal, President URJA, a consortium of nearly 2,500 RWAs, said: "During any disaster civil society, RWAs and self-help groups always work as an extended arm of the government to support, help and overcome the dire needs of the hour.

"The current prevailing situation of the pandemic presents a real scary image. But this can't hamper the initiative of noble work to move forward. URJA is committed and has always worked to serve for the larger interest of the people at large and is ready to share knowledge, planning and execution utilising the network of people around."

Pankaj Agarwal, general secretary Safdarjung Enclave RWA said a Covid-19 task force should be made for every colony comprising SDM/SHO/RWAs/IMA and volunteers.

"Initially a pilot project may be done in Safdarjung Enclave or any other colony. Residents in our areas are considering purchasing oximeters and oxygen cylinders. Also a collective idea is to build a backup support system.

"Medical labs are sometimes refusing to undertake Covid-19 test, the task force will sort out such problems with help of government," added Agarwal. The RWAs have also requested the Delhi government to notify some local guest houses for home quarantine purpose on pay and use basis, which will be useful in mild symptoms cases.

Ruby Makhija, secretary Navjeevan Vihar RWA, said they have formed a quick response team, to address issues faced by members who have been infected with Covid-19.

"We have few cases in our area, and the RWA is taking good care of these people. The association provides all the essential items at their doorstep and we are also closely monitoring outsiders, and checking their body temperature. The garbage from the infected household is separated in yellow bags, which is collected by local authorities," said Makhija.

Defence Colony RWA is undertaking complete sanitization of households where people have been found positive. "We are in touch with all the people, including those who have been found positive for Covid-19. We make sure all the essential items are provided to them," said Geeta Bhargava, general secretary Defence Colony RWA.

(Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in)

Source: IANS