Now, hospitals fear huge rush

Large crowds usually present in the out-patients departments of hospitals is a cause of worry as they are potential places where infection can spread. The state government on Tuesday evening asked government hospitals to take emergency cases only.

State government hospitals will now have only emergency out-patient department and elective surgeries will be postponed.

A senior doctor in a government hospital said that in an ENT hospital there are 1,000 patients in the outpatients department every day. “They come from villages and surrounding areas. They are not aware of this infectious disease and we are putting them at risk.”

In Osmania General Hospital and Sarojini

Devi Eye Hospital the out-patients departments are full to the brim. “Gandhi Hospital has seen a low number due to the isolation ward. But other hospitals are full and this place is also a likely source of spreading infection,” the doctor said.

Multispecialty hospitals in the private sector too see about 500 patients daily. People come for their regular check-ups for heart disease and diabetic follow-up. A senior cardiologist said that hospitals are now providing support online.

“We do not want all of them to come to the hospitals and wait for two to three hours with other patients. During the time of infectious diseases, out-patients can postpone visits that are not strictly necessary,” the cardiologist said.

Surgeries that are not urgent are also being postponed.