OCEANIA Hospitals following COVID-safe protocols: Sharma
Oceania Hospitals Executive Director Pramesh Sharma is reassuring the public that they are following all COVID-safe protocols when dealing with patients who present to them.
He made the comment while responding to a concerned resident about the hospital’s protocols.
Nadera resident Richard Lal is hoping that authorities will strictly comply with COVID-safe containment protocols to protect the lives of nonCOVID patients.
He raised the concern after a man who was admitted at the Oceania Hospital on Friday and kept in the same observation room as his mother, tested positive.
Mr Lal said they were at the hospital when the man was admitted and after enquiring about the man’s situation he was informed by the nurses that the man, who was a referral patient, had COVID-19 symptoms and was at the hospital for his swab test.
He said they chose to go to Oceania Hospital because of the top-class medical services provided there, however he hopes that protocols are followed while dealing with suspected COVID-19 patients and a separate isolation room is set up for them.
In response, Mr Sharma said hospitals operate in uncertain environments and there were no deliberate attempts to expose non-COVID patients to the virus.
He said it was difficult to separate suspected patients from those that present to them with normal coughs and colds.
“We have an external screening, a screening at the door before a patient enters and we have patients who come for observations. We ensure that all staff and patients that arrive are fully masked and have Personal Protective Equipment,” Mr Sharma said.
“However as a hospital there is an element of risk. We have been very strict in terms of managing the COVID-19 protocols and if you note we have had minimal exposure in the last few months that COVID has been rampant in Fiji.”
Like any other hospital, he said people should understand that they cannot turn patients away.
“We are expected to see everyone that presents to us. It’s unfortunate that based on someone’s conditions they have exposed others.
“We are confident that our staff and those who visit us we emphasise social distancing and COVID-safe practices.”