Covid-19: Routine OPDs functional, patient footfall low in Noida hospitals

NOIDA: Despite a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the state government allowing private hospitals and clinics to function and subsequent easing/opening of movement during lockdown 4, patient footfall remains low in these centres, about 60-70% down despite routine OPDs being operational.
While about 10-12 patients were present at the general OPD in a private hospital of sector 26 over the weekend, the hospital staff maintained overall about 60-70 patients coming of late, for both day and evening OPD combined.
Also, elective surgeries are yet to pick up as Covid-19 test is required prior to scheduling a planned such surgery. Only emergency surgeries and services such as deliveries and trauma cases of burn, infection, fracture, acute abdominal pain, brain stroke, etc are still being attended in most private hospitals, including Kailash, Metro, Prakash, Fortis and so on.
Additionally, while in the district hospital, sector 30, general OPDs are still shut (except emergency deliveries and services) as they await a written order from the state/district administration, over 300 patients turned up on Friday for both fever clinic and emergency OPD combined. “We are awaiting the said order and will begin operations after that. As of now, we are only operating fever clinic and emergency treatments such as gynaecology OPD/deliveries,” said Dr Vandana Sharma, chief medical superintendent, district hospital, sector 30.
The situation is little better in private hospitals. “All general OPDs are fully functional at the hospital. But as against 1,000 patients per day prior to pre Covid-19 days, the operations are down to about 30 %. Patients have however started coming post easing of restrictions since lockdown 4. Also, we are continuing with all routine and emergency surgeries, but the former is still to pick up as people are not yet opting for these out of fear of the spread of Coronavirus,” said Dr Vijay Ganju, chief medical superintendent Kailash Hospital, sector 27 - Noida.
Even as patients are in a wait and watch situation, private hospitals and clinics expect increased footfalls in coming days. While Metro Hospital, sector 12 reported about 100 patients, Apollo Hospital, sector 26 had about 60-70 patients and Prakash Hospital, sector 33 reported 50 patients in their OPDs last week on week days.
“Although we are getting about 50 patients in our OPDs of late, as compared to about 200 during the pre-Covid days, we expect more patients to step out in coming days as they feel more confident with the easing of lockdown measures,” said Dr Ayush Chauhan, executive director, Prakash Hospital, sector 33 - Noida.
Chauhan added that even though Covid test protocols are followed for all surgeries, elective-routine surgery has to be planned and scheduled and has not yet taken place at the Hospital.
Meanwhile, social distancing is a must at these OPDs. “Patients are being called in OPD with due social distancing protocols. Currently 100-110 patients coming for both morning and evening OPD combined,” said Dr Kanika Kanwar, deputy medical director, Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute, sector 12 - Noida. She further added that about two-three emergency surgeries are conducted per day at the Hospital including trauma, acute abdominal pain, caesarean delivery, etc.
Even as patient footfall is mere 25-30% at private Hospitals and clinics, majority routine OPDs are continuing the practice of tele consultations and through social media, such as video/WhatsApp platforms. “We are doing OPD only for cases where it is an emergency. For the rest, we are giving consultations through telemedicine,” said Hardeep Singh, zonal director, Fortis Hospital, sector 62 - Noida.
Aggarwal Clinic, sector 61 too is opting for video calls and WhatsApp consultations even as it is getting less than 50 patients in its combined morning-evening OPD.