No congestion of COVID patients at hospitals, says Health Ministry
Posted on August 6th, 2021
Sheain Fernandopulle Courtesy The Daily Mirror
In a situation where videos and photos circulating online of patients lying in hospital corridors raising alarm among the public and medical community, the Health Ministry said they were not reported of any incidents where there is massive congestion at hospitals as shown in pictures and videos.
Addressing a news briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said all hospitals have been informed to act in times of an emergency situation of this nature.
It is difficult to say whether people in those pictures being circulated are all COVID patients. Normally, COVID patients are kept in sealed wards where outsiders are not allowed to enter. Even health officials have to wear personal protective equipment when entering the wards,” he underscored.
He said wards in several hospitals where COVID patients are treated are overflowed. However, there is a system in all the hospitals to act when situations of such a nature happen.
To my knowledge, the relevant authorities at the hospitals where the capacity has exceed have taken prompt measures to accommodate the patients and to ensure that they are treated well,” he added.
Dr. Herath said this is nothing to do with the lack of beds at hospitals to treat COVID patients.
The Director General of Health Services has given necessary instructions to the concerned hospitals to allocate more beds for COVID patients act swiftly at emergency situations,” Dr. Herath added.