Srinagar- The district authorities in Bandipora on Wednesday ordered a probe to look into the breach of standard operating procedure (SOP) after a coronavirus patient from the north Kashmir district district was ferried in an official car of a senior employee.
On Tuesday, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora ordered his deputy to ferry a Covid-19 patient from GMC Baramulla to Dak Bunglow Bandipora in his official car, reports said. Complying with the orders, BMO Dr Asif went to the hospital and ferried the patient in his official car, in a sheer violation of SOP.
“I was returning from home when the CMO informed me to pick up a patient from Baramulla hospital. I followed the orders of my senior,” Asif told Kashmir Observer.
According to WHO guidelines, the COVID-19 patients need to be ferried in a critical care ambulance with proper medical facilities for the drivers as well.
The 22-year-old Bandipora resident was admitted at the GMC Baramulla on Monday and put under quarantine after he showed symptoms of the deadly infection. His swabs were sent for laboratory tests which came positive on the next day.
Following it, the Medical Superintendent GMC Baramulla asked the CMO Bandipora Dr Tajamul to transfer the boy to his native town.
“The boy was kept under quarantine with other suspects in Dak Bungalow. BMO and his driver were quarantined at a local health centre. The two had come into contact with around dozen employees at the BMO office at Kaloosa,” sources said.
“It is obvious that the BMO and his driver would have also made contact with their family members as well,” they added.
Following the alleged negligence, the district administration on Tuesday evening called an emergency meeting.
Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora Shahbaz Mirza blamed Medical Superintendent, Baramulla for the negligence.
“Our officers were misled that the boy has come from Bangladesh and needs to be quarantined. The Medical Superintendent didn’t tell them that the boy has tested positive to coronavirus,” he said.
We have ordered a probe to fix responsibility,” Mirza said.
Director Health, Sameer Mattoo told Kashmir Observer that he will look into the matter.
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